“Bud was a genius piano player–the best there was of all the bebop piano players.” - Miles Davis “If I had to choose one single musician for his artistic integrity, for the incomparable originality of his creation and the grandeur of his work, it would be Bud Powell. He was in a class by himself" – Bill Evans Bud Powell 1962 is something we at SteepleChase have been obsessed with for a while. The previous release SCCD 36040 “Bud Powell 1962 Copenhagen” was from the recordings made at the Danish Radio Concert Hall and Jazzhus Montmartre. What we have here is from the same year from the fabled Golden Circle where SteepleChase’s 5-volume releases At The Golden Circle come from. The Swedish part of this release were recorded two days prior to those SteepleChase releases. Bud Powell travelled on to Oslo Norway the same year to perform some memorable tracks captured here before going back to USA for the last time.

Bud Powell was “the foundation out of which stemmed the whole edifice of modern jazz piano" (Herbie Hancock) and “the greatest be-bop piano player in the world “ (Hampton Hawes). Though his life was short and troubled (1924 – 1966), Bud found some solace and tranquillity during the years (1959 – 1963) he lived in Europe (mostly in Paris). The recordings that make up this album are from March and August of 1962 from Danish Radio Concert Hall and Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen. However battered mentally and physically the man was, here’s the clear evidence of his genius more intact than generally believed.

.... Buttercup (Bud’s wife) described their stay in Stockholm as “a grand experience - we were very happy there”. Much of this comes across in recordings which really do come close to Bud’s finest achievements of a 2decade earlier. .... from the linernotes by Chris Sheridan

This volume concludes the celebrated series of Bud Powell recording from Gyllen Cirkeln (earlier releases SCH 36001, SCH 36002, SCH 36009 & SCH 36014). There is Bud’s rare vocal on This Is No Laughin’ Matter. “The sum of Bud’s recordings at the Golden Circle is, then a study of a musician in travail, yet one who, despite the flaws, is able to project a strongly emotional body of music to the listeners...” (Chris Sheridan, from the linernotes)

Here’s the second volume of the celebrated Bud Powell recording from Gyllen Cirkeln (Vol. 1 - SCCD 36001). There are three more volumes to come. All tracks have never been issued before. “...there is no other recording which allows you to enjoy Powell so thoroughly as this series. Precious releases.” (Eiichi Fujii, Swing Journal) “ ....Absolutely indispensable.” (Pierre Schavey, JAZZ)

This is the first release of SteepleChase 36000 series which distinguishes itself from the 31000 series as it concentrates on releasing the old recordings we acquired to document the great moments of jazz history. The recording sources are varied: radio shows, live concerts, private recordings, etc. Although most of the releases from this series can be described as historical recordings, we made it a point to obtain legal clearance from the artists or their estates for each and every release and to improve the sound quality when technically possible. This poignant recording (private - by the club owner) from Stockholms’s famous Gyllene Cirkeln (Golden Circle) jazz club finds Bud in an increasingly rare period of clarity and stability. “...A unique voice...irreplicable..” (Compact)