On this CD, long time SteepleChase leader saxophonist Rich Perry teams up with Steve Lampert (tpt.), Denis Irwin (bass), and Jeff Hirshfield (drums) for an exploration into freer material than he has in past studio outings. Recorded in March 2001, this CD features all original material by Perry (2) and Lampert (6) reminiscent of Ornette Coleman's early works. In reviewing "Doxy" (SteepleChase SCCD 31473), Dick Bogle of The Portland/Seattle Scanner states that Perry "roams free but always within his own structure in this pianoless group. His tone is impeccably clear and rich."

"Ambrose's tenor speaks with the brusque swagger of a young Rollins and his upper register forays more than a hint at the Lovano influence, still Ambrose is well on the way to developing a very mature and appealing voice." Chris Hovan - jazzreview.com.

Dave Stryker’s most successful band “Blue To The Bone” is back again. This long-waited third volume is dedicated to Brother Jack McDuff and Stanley Turrentine, both of whom left tremendous influence on Stryker. “… a truly original guitar voice to break new ground in large ensemble music …. Stryker has assembled a fantastic group to realize his pieces … There is no more satisfying guitarist, with such a large body of original works to be heard today … ” (Charles A Apicella)

Take five SteepleChase leaders (three of them brilliant modern exponents of the electric guitar), have them bring some tunes they dig into the studio, roll the tapes, sit back and listen to a creative hour of spontaneous combustion. That’s what producer Nils Winther did when he laid on a rendez-vous for a trio of the label’s top plectrists - Vic Juris, Dave Stryker and Tony Purrone. To give this formidable “string section” the appropriate drive, two fellow SteepleChasers, drummer Keith Copeland and bassist Scott Colley, both leaders in their own right, were pressed into service. (from Mark Gardner's liner notes)

Moonscape

In The Heath Zone

Francis Lo Kee of All About Jazz sums up what Jack Walrath is all about in his review of SCCD 31650 “Ballroom”: “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….Musical food for thought with amazing jazz playing, this recording can't be praised highly enough.” Jack Walrath shares his inner thoughts on music and society in his liner notes for this latest album which makes quite an interesting read in addition to yet another intriguing recording.

As one of the most inventive and original voices on trumpet Dave Ballou has established himself firmly on the scene. His latest CD here presents a largely-standard-tune collection in an intriguing free framework. “…He’s a sound, knowledgeable and versatile musician who can improvise impressively in a free context or complex chord changes…” (Harvey Pekar, CD Reviews)

Nightfall

Blue To The Bone

Bassist/composer Ron McClure is also an avid tennis player. The group on this CD founded originally to give concerts for the Riverside Clay Tennis Association became McClure’s newest regular group. Considering McClure’s career background that includes Wynton Kelly, Marian McPartland, the early fusion band Fourth Way, the Jazz-Rock group Blood, Sweat and Tears, the Charles Lloyd Quartet, Thelonious Monk, among others, it is not surprising to find this group in the blend of diverse musical styles. McClure is not only a strong bassist with technical excellence but “…he is also an exceptional composer who draws on non-jazz tonalities with great confidence.” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, Richard Cook).

Coalescence

Bud's Beautiful

Solo Master Pieces, Vol. 2

Watch Out!

Solo Master Pieces, Vol. 1

Where Is Love?

Award-winning saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator Chris Byars, apart from his focus on composing his own music, has been highly interested in studying the vast repertoire of jazz composers of the 20th century. His endeavour has so far culminated in Blue Lights (SCCD31662) – music of Gigi Gryce, Lucky Strikes Again (SCCD 31713) – music of Lucky Thompson, Music Forever (SCCD 31743) – music of Freddie Redd. Now to add to this impressive listing Chris Byars compiled 11 gems from the book of Duke Jordan (1922 – 2006) who was one of the early and most original bebop pianists. Israeli-born singer Yaala Ballin wrote lyrics and sang two of the Jordan melodies (Sultry Eve and Lesson In Love).

Savery: Interplay

Chris Byars saxophone/composer/arranger leads his group in various formats including a quintet as in this album with guest instrumentalists (his father James Byars on English horn and his fiancée Mine Sadrazam on piano). Chris could be dubbed “Jazz Ambassador” conducting cultural exchange programs in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Balkans for the U.S. Department of State since 2007. While his previous three albums were highly creative tributaries to jazz’s true heroes: Freddie Redd, Lucky Thompson and Gigi Gryce, this new album is a superb collection of Chris’s original compositions many of which are depicting diverse cultures of the world. “…Byars’ treatment of these songs will help attract more artists and listeners to Lucky's work. Until then, consider yourself lucky to enjoy this excellent release.” (Ken Hohman – Freedom Jazz Dance on Lucky Strikes Again SCCD 31713)

Ari Ambrose, since his recording debut as leader on SteepleChase’s “Introducing Ari Ambrose” (SCCD 31450) some 15 years ago, has maintained his musical perspectives of modernism on tradition and has polished them to perfection on this new album. “…With so many of the young tenor voices continuing to follow John Coltrane or Sonny Rollins or turning toward free-form abstraction, it’s refreshing to find Ambrose employing the tradition, taking it back and bringing it forward, … offering something different in what often seems to be a world of clones.” (Will Smith – JazzTimes on Whatever Happens SCCD 31617) “Ari Ambrose's Waiting (SteepleChase SCCD 31560) is totally lacking in pretension. An exceptional example of mainstream modern jazz,…” (David Franklin-JazzTimes)

After a 7-year hiatus from the recording scene pianist Michael Cochrane came back strong with his new trio consisting of two Johns: Steve Johns, who’s been Cochrane’s colleague in the Sonny Fortune band, on drums and his prodigious 17-year-old son Daryl on bass. “… his music has sincerity and polish… Its execution within an honored tradition is so error-free that piano-trio addicts (and there are many out there) can simply trust it and relax. We can rely on it at any time of the day or night for sustenance and consolation. Not junk food. Comfort food. (Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes on “ Right Now” (SCCD 31627)

Gregory Tardy’s seventh release on SteepleChase “Hope” delivers strong musical and spiritual message to us all. Since his comeback from a three year sabbatical from the music scene Tardy has firmly resumed his place as “one of the most important saxophonists of his generation” (Matthew Miller, AAJ). “… ultimately it’s Tardy’s show. Not only is he arguably the most original of the band’s improvisers, he’s also the most impassioned. His lines are incisive and hard-edged. Even his most fanciful flights are purposeful. His energetic approach consistently lifts the group’s performance to a higher level….” (Chris Kelsey – JazzTimes on Steps of Faith SCCD 31610)

Terrell Kent Holmes of allaboutJazz commented on Zak's CD debut (SCCD 31578 The Peter Zak Trio) last year, "Pianist Peter Zak is something of an unknown quantity to New Yorkers, but on his SteepleChase debut, he makes a considerable first impression. On this disc, which is comprised mostly of originals, he displays a style, which, although clearly touched by his major influences, remains vibrant and singular. During a great gig last month at Smoke, Zak showcased several of the tunes (and one that isn't on the disc, a burner with the hilarious title "The Cream or the Clear," which hopefully will be on a future release)." Yes, the title in question is in fact on this his second release For Tomorrow which portrays a mature artist with confidence, authority and brilliance.

Rich Perry’s newest album Nocturne marks the 21st release in his 21-year-tenure with SteepleChase and for the first time Rich employs guitar (by Nat Radley) instead of piano for his quartet. Rich Perry still is arguably the best-kept-secret of today’s modern jazz scene inspite of all the talks of admiration by the critics and the fellow musicians such as tenor player David Valdez. To quote Valdez from his blog, “.. Rich never plays down to the audience, never compromising his advanced harmonic and rhythmic concepts in favor of wide accessibility…. Even though he stays on the cutting edge Rich's sound is always musical and melodic. He just always approaches melodic phrases from an extremely oblique angle. I really can't think of a badder cat that flies so low under the radar… I don't see this changing in the future since fame and fortune are obviously not motivating factors for Mr. Perry.”