Frequent leader on the label Jed Levy called upon for this new album pianist George Colligan and bassist Ron McClure both of whom were the sidemen of Jed’s remarkable SteepleChase debut “Sleight of Hand” (SCCD 31383), plus veteran drummer Adam Nussbaum. “Very impressive and about as inventive a departure from the standard tenor-and-rhythm conventions as one can hope for…” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD – on “Sleight of Hand”) “… saxophonist Jed Levy delivers one of the most enjoyable albums of the year. It's also accessible, straight-ahead music that everyone can enjoy…” (George Kanzler AAJ on “One Night At The Kitano” SCCD 31669)

Trumpeter/composer Jason Palmer, whom Mark Gardner aptly described as one of the foremost brass players of his generation, has investigated the works by or associated with the legendary singer Minnie Riperton for this his latest album where pop merged with jazz in a most creative way. Jason’s previous release “Here Today” (SCCD 31724) received 4½ stars in DownBeat. Its reviewer Jon Ross remarks, “…Palmer has created an album of lengthy intriguing compositions that are full of engaging extras…Palmer is an exciting player…”

In 2006 trombonist/composer/arranger Vincent Gardner has been pursuing to compile series of theme albums based on great compositions from the past and present. The Book of Bebop, showcases again Vincent’s unique talent in the company of all star musicians to reflect that exciting era of jazz’s history 70 years ago. About Gardner's successful debut album “Elbow Room” SCCD 31580: “… a top-flight maiden voyage for Gardner.” (Terrell Kent Holmes – AAJ) “a unique flavor, a quality that pretty much permeates the entire disc. This, of course, elevates the recital beyond your typical tribute album and bodes well for Gardner's further development as an individualist with something important to say.” (C. Andrew Hovan – AAJ on "The Good Book Chapter One" SCCD 31616) Vincent Gardner “The Good Book, Chapter Two" (SCCD 31716) has recently been nominated for the Independent Music Award 2012

India and Indian music have intrigued Pierre Dørge ever since his teenage. Here on his latest album Dørge compiles his impressions of several trips there and the result of his recent field studies. Donald Elfman of AAJ once remarked, “Pierre Dørge has what seems like a magical ability - he can re-imagine and re-think the way that music is voiced thus creating entire new worlds out of worlds we think we know.” His magical ability is at full throttle here on this extraordinary musical depiction of a fascinating country.

Classical Music

C. Andrew Hovan of AllAboutJazz once observed, “What has marked all of Stryker's previous SteepleChase sides has been his penchant to not repeat formats or ideas. Each session sports a different group of musicians and the material covers new ground.” Mr. Hovan’s observation proves true here on Stryker’s latest recording of mesmerizing organ quintet with repertoire raging from Michael Jackson to Clifford Brown together with his originals. “(Stryker) combines tradition and modernity in equal balance, arranges with skill and imagination, teases optimum performances from associates with good-natured relish, and plays the blues with deep felt conviction.” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

This much lauded series continues with a sequence of four premiere recordings played by the elite Illinois State University Wind Symphony. Roy Magnuson's House Plants in Terracotta Pots is described by the composer 'as a simple statement of something simply thought.' Sydney Hodkinson's expressive Duae Cantatae Breves explores the slow and meditative potential of the wind band. Jayce John Ogren's richly imagined and poetic Evening Music is followed by Francesco Jos� Mart�nez Gallego's exciting, monumental Sinfon�a No. 1 'Kaprekar'.

Classical Music

Since his SteepleChase debut with pianist Hal Galper on an album entitled "Reach Out" (SCCD 31067) in 1976, drummer Billy Hart and label have kept a long, productive relationship. This release marks his 68th recording and his 1st leader album for SteepleChase. Billy Hart has not only been the company's most recorded drummer but also one of the most influential voices in the label’s creative decision making. “… Hart is widely regarded as one of the most capable of modern-jazz drummers…” (The New Grove Dictionary of JAZZ)

Pianist-composer Paul Giallorenzo (GitGO, Hearts & Minds) assembles a new trio for his second Delmark release. Covering wide terrain, from energetic swing to bluesy soulfulness to sonic exploration, these original compositions further Giallorenzo's exploration of improvising within and without melodic, rhythmic, and formal structures. The music is deeply embedded in the tradition with a sound and feeling that is personal and contemporary. In a review of Giallorenzo's first Delmark release, Force Majeure (DMK 5015), the Chicago Reader praised it for it's "melodic and harmonic depth", "rich polyphonic arrangements" and "dam-bursting energy and woolly extended techniques."

Winner of the Kennedy Center's Mary Lou Williams Piano Competition, pianist Helen Sung makes her SteepleChase debut here with her “Rolls-Royce” rhythm section consisting of Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums to showcase her original and adept sense of (re) concepting jazz standards and beyond.

Denmark’s successful trio co-led by bassist Lennart Ginman and drummer Thomas Blachman invited Stephen Riley to be featured at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in the summer of 2010. Following a series of well-received live concerts at the Festival Riley, the American rising star on tenor, and the popular trio cut this brilliant album. “… His lushly-conceived tone and phrasing are instantly recognizable….” (Derek Taylor)

The entire project is both spare and impossibly lush. While this may sound like a contradiction, it has everything to do with the virtuosic musicianship of pianist Art Hirahara and Jim Tomlinson, as well as Stacey's elegant and unadorned vocal approach. The opening track, Lucky To Be Me, works as an invitation to the theme of the album and uses the open space between vocal phrases to draw us in. And, while all of the tracks are worth an unadulterated listen, I'm going to list a few of my favorites, starting with La Javanaise, which is delivered with an almost offhanded musical precision and sung in Stacey's pitch-perfect French. The surprising warmth of Stacey's lower vocal range makes A Time For Love the intimate ballad it was meant to be. Jim's tenor sax does the same, so that his playing is the ideal complement to Stacey's voice. The entire album is a joy to listen to both musically and sonically. It was lovingly recorded and mixed by Jim (yet another of his talents) at their home studio in Virginia. - Cliff Goldmacher Stacey Kent is an American jazz singer in the mould of the greats, with a legion of fans, a host of honors and awards including a Grammy� nomination, album sales in excess of 2 million and more than one billion streams, and Platinum, Double-Gold, and Gold-selling albums that have reached a series of chart-topping positions. Stacey, a comparative literature graduate with a passion for music, travelled to Europe to further her studies after receiving her degree from Sarah Lawrence College in NY. Through a series of twists of fate, she found herself in London, where she enrolled in a graduate music program at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she met her future husband and musical partner, Jim Tomlinson. Kent's musical journey began with childhood piano lessons. A keen ear and true voice led her to search out opportunities to express her love of music. However, nothing suggested the shift from the academic path to the one that propelled her to international recognition as one of the foremost jazz singers of her generation. With a catalogue of 13 studio albums, including the Platinum-selling, Grammy�-nominated Breakfast On The Morning Tram (Blue Note/EMI 2007) and an impressive list of collaborations, Stacey has graced the stages of nearly 60 countries over the course of her career. Her worldwide fan base is testimony to her ability to express the emotional heart of her songs with delicately nuanced interpretations that transcend borders and defy categorization. Her unique multi-lingual repertoire includes standards, chanson, Bossa Nova, and originals written by Jim Tomlinson, her saxophonist/producer/composer/arranger husband, in collaboration with the Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, with whom they have worked since 2006. She has also recorded with Brazilian legends Marcos Valle, Roberto Menescal, and Danilo Caymmi, and the celebrated French string quartet, the Quatuor �b�ne. Stacey's last studio album, Summer Me, Winter Me, was released in November 2023 on Na�ve Records. A collection of fans' requests from her as-yet unrecorded concert repertoire, Summer Me, Winter Me entered the French jazz charts at number 1 and has quickly established itself as a new highlight in her discography. She now returns with A Time For Love, set to appear on April 3rd, 2026.

No one sounds quite like Barth. His solos are characterized by robust swing, his ability to tell a story, and by his rich, beguiling sound. -Zan Stewart, The Newark Star-Ledger. A pivotal member of New York's Jazz scene for 40 years, pianist Bruce Barth's inspired vision and generous accompaniment has always led to rich musical collaborations, none more so than with his working trio of many years with bassist Vincente Archer and drummer Montez Coleman. Their collective voice found it's perfect setting, which makes the release of "Dedication" a profound and emotion-filled moment, as Montez passed away 5 months after the recording session at the age of 48. Celebrating the joy and camaraderie Montez brought to their work, the thread of relationships, inspiration, guidance and gratefulness that imbued the recording revealed itself, leading Barth to present the music as a display of mindfulness of those gifts. "Dedication" is for the ones who give and is filled with life, dance and swing.

One of the greatest American jazz pianists Stanley Cowell has been more active as a dedicated educator than a recording artist in the last 10 years. Cowell now makes his recording comeback to delight us with his finest works. “ After more than a decade away from the recording studios, that fine and highly-regarded pianist/composer Stanley Cowell returns, and at the same time unveils a shining bright talent in his 20-year-old daughter Sunny, a fresh-sounding vocalist and accomplished viola player ” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

Bassist/composer Scott Lee has been leading a group of close musical friends and associates, including the three creative sidemen on this session, to experiment in different forms and with new ways of improvising at intensive workshop sessions for the past decade in New York. Bill Smith of JazzTimes comments on Lee’s previous release “One Thought” (SCCD 31649),”Leader and bassist Scott Lee offers simple yet thought-provoking music on the aptly titled One Thought… . Those who feel that jazz is losing its creative edge should hear this album and other basically mainstream offerings of the last few years.”

Trumpeter Marcus Printup focuses on displaying his lyrical side on this latest “Ballad only” album. His full sound which has a vocal quality suits the material perfectly. “In "Ballads - All Night" he reveals yet another facet of his keen musical insight and appreciation. In the process he will delight confirmed fans and listeners new to his art.” (Mark Gardner from the liner notes) SCCD 31679 Dave Stryker Trio "One For Reedus" One For Reedus, Dave Stryker’s first recording for the label since the 2003 set “Strike Up The Band” (released in 2008) is also Dave’s return to a format that was so much part of his musical development on moving to New York in the early 1980s - the guitar/organ/drums combination. The Dave Stryker Organ Trio has been a working band for the past several years. This album is dedicated to the band’s great drummer Tony Reedus who passed away early 2009, who was very much involved in this project. “The album has a definite polish: Nils Winther's production is of a very high quality, and each of the four musicians plays with a distinctive and clear sound…..” (Jay Deshpande on Strike Up The Band SCCD31637 – AllAboutJazz) SCCD 31681 Marcus Printup Quintet "Ballads - All Night" Trumpeter Marcus Printup focuses on displaying his lyrical side on this latest “Ballad only” album. His full sound which has a vocal quality suits the material perfectly. “In "Ballads - All Night" he reveals yet another facet of his keen musical insight and appreciation. In the process he will delight confirmed fans and listeners new to his art.” (Mark Gardner from the liner notes)

This music on this album has become known as the George Lewis "Jam Session." This benchmark recording was originally captured on two tape recorders by producer Dr. Edmond Souchon on May 22nd, 1950 in New Orleans and features George Lewis, Elmer Talbert, Jim Robinson, Alton Purnell, Lawrence Marrero, Slow Drag Pavageau and Joe Watkins. This special release contains the complete session with never before heard outtakes. Souchon wrote the liner notes and there are photos from the session with a complete technical rundown of the material.

A sequel to the highly successful SCCD 31588 “Oatts & Perry I”, on which Thomas Conrad of JazzTimes commented, “…Harold Danko played with Oatts and Perry in the Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Orchestra and always wanted them in his own band. This album is a true sleeper, a blowing date on which the blowing is epic and the date is beautifully planned and recorded.” "Rich Perry is that rarest of tenor saxophonists — a complete musician." (Donald Elfman , Allabout Jazz–NY) "… Dick Oatts is an uncompromising jazz musician, one who possesses monster chops without trumpeting them… " (Owen Cordle, JazzTimes)

Abercrombie/LaVerne partnership goes back in the 60s when both musicians studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston. The duo released a number of studio sessions on SteepleChase in the past decades but this time their exciting concert from Baruch University, NY is captured live. JazzTimes’ Jim Ferguson commented on their earlier release SCCD 31538 “Timeline”: “Although John Abercrombie has done his fair share of experimentation over the years, at the heart of his work is a musicality-as evident throughout Timeline… pianist Andy LaVerne joins Abercrombie for a musical celebration of the influential, historic collaborations between Jim Hall and Bill Evans,… Abercrombie and LaVerne bring their own values and sensibilities to bear throughout the set .… ”

“…The late Whitney Balliett dubbed jazz as "the sound of surprise". Well, Jack Walrath surprises us here on every selection. He deals in the unexpected and delivers it to us with a flowing flourish - and no concessions.” (Mark Gardner- from the linernotes) “Jack Walrath not only displays tremendous trumpet playing, a rich and varied approach to composition and wonderful band, he also puts something into this fantastic CD that's missing from too much new jazz: a sense of fun and humor. That's not to say that it isn't sensitive and touching at times—"An Hour Blessed" is arguably as gorgeous as anything ever recorded…” (Francis Lo Kee – allaboutjazz-New York)

Following up the intriguing 2009 SteepleChase debut album “Blue Light” (SCCD 31662) shedding lights on compositions of Gigi Gryce, saxophonist/composer Chris Byars with his quintet features legendary vibraphonist Teddy Charles, in an attractive program including his own compositions together with works by Donald Byrd, a Teddy Charles remake of his classic recording of "Nature Boy", and a unheard composition by Gigi Gryce.

Momentum brings together 10 visually and sonically enticing tracks that invite to travel. Guitarist Julien Tassin is a prolific musician, whose music draws from his many influences and experiences from classical music to jazz. Getting out of his comfort zone and diving deep into an exploration of his instrument; the guitar - electric, harmonic, omnipresent - tells as many stories as there are tracks on the album.

Peter Zak has admired and studied McCoy Tyner’s music for many years. On his fifth album he realizes his dream project of interpreting his idol. On his previous release “My Conception” (SCCD 31641), allaboutjazz’s Terrell Kent Holms wrote, “Zak plays with richness and fluidity, artfully blending the many colors on his palette to create bright landscapes. Zak plays with a confidence born of his undeniable skill. …Zak always makes the right choices, and audiences will continue to reap the benefits of hearing this wonderfully talented piano man.”

Congolese-Danish saxophonist/composer John Tchicai returns to SteepleChase after a long absence. As “God Father” or “Guru” of free jazz Tchicai has been active on the scene and studios but this first leader album in 22 years for the label features his striking sound on alto sax interpreting works by Monk.