On Rich Perry’s previous release SCCD 31558 East of the Sun and West of 2nd Avenue, David Franklin of JazzTimes wrote, “Tenorist Rich Perry began a fruitful relationship with SteepleChase more than a decade ago…That long-term collaboration contributes significantly to the success of the present effort. …With his full but soft-edged tone, subtle articulation and impeccable use of dynamics, Perry imbues each of the nine standards in the program with intense feeling…” “…this is a typically thoughtful, engrossing session from a contemporary master of the saxophone,…” (Mark Gardner from the liner notes)

On his 7th CD on the label trumpeter Dave Ballou combines the jazz tradition, free improvisation and modern composition to reflect his ever-evolving musical mind. On Ballou’s earlier release “On This Day“ (SCCD 31504) Duck Baker JazzTimes wrote, “ Listeners who believe that free playing is only about angst and catharsis should check out this impressing and engaging outing.”

Tom Guarna has been active on New York’s jazz scene since the late 80s playing with the Yellow Jackets, Randy Brecker, Lenny White, the Mingus Orchestra, among others. He is also widely known for his collaboration with Blood, Sweat and Tears in the late 90. “…Tom Guarna here makes an impressive, albeit belated, debut at the helm of a highly musical and ever swinging trio who combined for a truly irresistible Get Together.” (Mark Gardner)

Although this is his leader debut album, trombonist Vincent Gardner has been on the front line of almost all major big bands in the USA and has been one of the most sought after soloists on the scene for some time. SteepleChase is proud to introduce Vincent Gardner as its new recording artist. “…Vincent Gardner has definitely arrived as a force to be reckoned with and merits all the elbow room he and his fluent trombone can find!” (Mark Gardner)

Like many other musicians tenor saxophonist Jed Levy has been drawing inspiration from the vast repertoire by the prolific genus of Duke Ellington. Jed has selected and transcribed for this recording rarely heard Ellington compositions. “…The strength of the material inspired all of us and it was great to hear these tunes come to life. What started out as an early morning record date with some very challenging music soon progressed into downright fun and we all left with a smile on our face. I hope the smile is contagious as you share with us the joy that is the music of Duke Ellington.“ (Jed Levy)

“Don Friedman is probably playing better now than at any other period of his splendid career. Maturity has brought a deepening of emotional expression, a refinement of touch and the knowledge of exactly how much he wants to say within a given performance……On this beautifully conceived and executed CD, Don is in the bright company of three musicians who share his aims and ideals, and hold true to the tenets of balancing spontaneity with organisational clarity and discipline…” (Mark Gardner – linernotes)

Martin Jacobsen 36, a new Danish saxophone star lives in Paris and performs there as well as in all the major cities of Europe. His quartet featuring American guitarist Doug Raney has been enjoying great reception wherever they played. “… Two acclaimed musicians …performed with a quartet de luxe, have chances to surprise many a listener!” (Jazz Valley, France) With this his impressive debut album we all have chance to hear how one of the most current and brilliant jazz groups in European continent sounds.

40 years ago Bill Evans and Jim Hall recorded two brilliant duo albums called “Intermodulations” and “Undercurrent”. Andy Laverne and John Abercrombie whose collaboration dates back to the late 1960s have been inspired by the Evans-Hall recordings and have been experimenting with the format. Andy LaVerne remarks, "Over the years we have collaborated as a duo many times in concerts, club dates, workshop sessions. I guess Bill and Jim set a wonderful example to us of what could be achieved by the piano/guitar instrumentation”. This LP, though it is neither re-creation nor copying of the original material, is an evolution of the predecessors. 180g Audiophile Vinyl

This is the third recording by the Tony Purrone Trio which has been together for five years. On their first album “The Tonester” (SCCD 31495) Aaron Steinberg of JazzTimes wrote, “…With an admirable sense for moderation and a flair for shooting sparks, Purrone combines just the right amounts of grit and harmonic sophistication. …Purrone’s tasteful playing complements his interesting choices in tunes…” And the second album “Rascality” (SCCD 31514) received the following remarks from Jim Ferguson in JazzTimes, “…his musical abilities run deep and encompass musicality, creativity and the ability to swing….While Purrone does possess awesome skills, he exercises restraint, calling upon them when they fit into his emotional and conceptional scheme.”

Larry Schneider teamed up with his soul mate group of Andy LaVerne (piano), Mike Richmond (bass) and Adam Nussbaum (drums) calls this album “…one of my most satisfying recording experiences…. Four friends who know how to play together and create freedom from structure…” On his previous release Jazz (SCCD 31505) Bill Bennett of JazzTimes wrote, “ The momentum that saxophonist Larry Schneider generates here is just awesome. ….Schneider and the stellar rhythm section-so typical of SteepleChase are completely at ease in sharing roles and responsibilities…”

Classical Music

Gong With Wind epitomises neatly the nature and purpose of this unique collaboration between evergreen veteran saxophonist Lee Konitz (supplying the wind) and master percussionist Matt Wilson (the man with the “gongs”). The pair have known each other and played together intermittently for many years. Matt was part of Lee’s group in the early 1990s. Konitz had in mind for sometime to make an entire album with the sole assistance of the drummer for whom he has the highest regard. (from Mark Gardner's liner notes)

UNITED

Between 1992 and 1998, trumpeter Brad Goode recorded many of the club dates he played in Chicago. Most of these featured the eminent tenor saxophonist Von Freeman with Brad, other guest soloists and various rhythm sections. Scores and scores of hours of potent music were documented and from that vast "live" archive Mr Goode and SteepleChase producer Nils Winther have selected the cream for this series of "Inside Chicago" jazz CDs of which this is the 3rd volume.

A double play in baseball usually involves three players making two outs. Here you have two excellent musicians in Marc Copeland (piano), and Vic Juris (guitar) covering 10 incredible compositions and making good music. This duet renders heartfelt renditions on tunes like Gershwin's "I loves you Porgy", "Who Can I Turn To" (Newley/Bricusse), Cole Porter's "I Concentrate on You" in addition to several originals. Copeland's debut duet CD for SteepleChase w/ Tim Hagans (tpt, fluglehorn), SCCD 31488 "Between the Lines" has met with praise from listeners everywhere. Juris, longtime guitarist with Dave Leibman, has five CDs as a leader for SteepleChase.

Though Sam Newsome started out as a tenor/alto saxophonist, he has always been attracted to the sound of soprano saxophone, noting “The sound of the soprano allows me to be more lyrical and express what I hear.” As a soprano saxophonist, Newsome made a compelling debut album in 1998 entitled “The Tender Side of Sammy Straighthorn” (SCCD 31452). On this new album Mark Gardner remarks, “Sam’s soprano tone is becoming even more individual. Every note is beautifully enunciated, and while the shape of his improvisations benefits from his expressive ease, he can add an edge to his sound whenever he feels the music requires it..."

Acclaimed jazz pianist Michael Wolff has confirmed a February 7th, 2020 release date for his joyful new album,'Bounce'. Exuberant, beautiful and able to convey a range of emotions, 'Bounce' reflects Wolff's upbeat state of mind following his 'miraculous' recovery from aggressive cancer. He comments, "Isn't it great to be alive? I'm celebrating life every day. This album is dedicated to that celebration. Come Bounce with us!!!!!! I have the good fortune to play with these fantastic musicians: Ben Allison on bass and Allan Mednard on drums. Their playing, ideas and vibes imbue this music with creativity and soul. It's really a listenable album. I thought about what I'd like to listen to at home, and tried to make that album."

All 10 pieces comprising this program are particularly suited to treatment by this type of instrumentation. Malach has worked with a whole host of names including Miles Davis and Horace Silver. Cochrane has worked with the likes of Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez, Clark Terry, and Jack Walrath (SteepleChase SCCD 31172 "In Europe") among many others. On this set Cochrane covers 10 tunes including 2 originals, Bill Evans' "Orbit", Mal Waldron's "Soul Eyes" and Joe Henderson's "Step Lightly".

Long considered as one of the Big Apple's most in demand sidemen, in recent years alto-tenor saxophonist Dick Oatts has stepped out as a leader. In this his fifth effort as a leader for SteepleChase seven out of the eight tunes are originals. The band is anchored by his long time rhythm section of Dave Santoro on bass and James Oblon on drums. On three of these tunes he is joined by SteepleChase stalwart pianist Harold Danko whom he first met and played with in the Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Orchestra in the late seventies. Ken Dryden of the AMG All Music Guide describes Oatts as having a "fat confident tone." Indeed this is a saxophonist extrordinaire whose instrumental prowess is matched only by his compositional abilities.

Renowned critic Richard Cook wrote in JazzReview about George’s previous release Twins (SCCD 31485) “… one listens through the record in a kind of wonderment at his imagination. He never seems to take an obvious route….” And here again with his regular trio, George Colligan recorded an album that is full of excitement and stimulation.

In the 70's Schneider received much public acclaim for his efforts with the Charles Mingus and Horace Silver bands. While he has been active ever since, his development as an artist has only been well documented on SteepleChase and this CD marks Larry Schneider's 8th effort as a leader for producer Nils Winther. "Devoid of any of the inherent sappiness that is common to the lightweight tones of those adult contemporary-type players, Schneider's soprano work is marked by a mild vibrato and dark timbre that is more akin to Steve Lacy's approach" Chris Hovan - allaboutjazz.com - in reference to a previous Schneider release on SteepleChase ("Ali Girl" SCCD 31429).

George Cables has proved again to be one of the most imaginative trio performers of today’s jazz scene with this his latest CD. “Listening to this absorbing recital by Mr. Cables, it seemed to me that he now epitomises the best of jazz mainstream piano. Here is a session which even the untutored lay listener can enjoy, with the familiarity of most the songs helping the process….” (Mark Gardner from the liner notes)

A brilliant sequel to the highly acclaimed Standard Issue (SCCD 31439) of 1998, this volume has a welcome addition of pianist Harold Danko on three of the five tracks. In the warm atmosphere of live house, the band gets extra energy from the appreciative audiences. Dick Oatts’ personal sound on alto sax (and tenor sax on one track) is once again a real treat for all listeners.

“Somebody find this guy a high profile gig!” was how Willard Jenkins set out to review Colligan’s earlier release “Stomping Ground “ (SCCD 31441) in the December 99 issue of JazzTimes. George Colligan is undoubtedly one of the most exciting pianists on the scene today. And the high profile gigs are pouring in. One of those gigs took him to Copenhagen early this year giving SteepleChase a chance to team him up with one of the best Danish bassists of the younger generation Jesper Bodilsen. The meeting of the two hugely talented musicians produced an electrifying album. A new DUO was born!

Pianist Michael Cochrane displays here his deep appreciation and understanding of great saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter’s music of the 60s. The 73 minutes of Shorter melodies are performed with great sensitivity, imaginations and dexterity by one of the best jazz piano trios today. “Cochrane is a mature and imaginative pianist with a delicate touch and deep harmonic resources…” (Dave Gelly, Gramophone Jazz Good CD Guide)