Landscape With Open Door

Following the impressive rendition of Coltrane’s music by the pianist on SCCD 31477 “Compassion”, LeeAnn Ledgerwood dedicates this CD to Bill Evans whose music changed her life. As she puts it in the linernote: “ … Art, the art that jazz is, is an experience. Anyone can have it, participate in it, and revel in the rage of emotions that leave us in awe. I owe my life’s work to such an experience. It happened when I was a child of eleven. I heard my first recording by Bill Evans….”

Ballad Round The Left Corner

Birdtown Birds

Red Snapper

With the successful debut album (SCCD 31545 “Major Incident”) in place Joshua returned to studio this time supported by three veteran sidemen: Ben Monder (guitar), his mentor and teacher Ron McClure (bass) and Billy Hart (drums). “Still not yet 22 – he was born in New York on August 24, 1982 - Joshua displays his rapidly growing confidence and maturity…The outcome is an invaluable, focussed snapshot of his artistic development … ” (Mark Gardner)

Here’s the 11th output by the pianist whose steady collaboration with this label was described by the Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD as “The move to SteepleChase has been nothing but positive for Danko. Producer Nils Winther has an intuitive feel for piano players and he gives Harold a well-rounded, spacious sound that enhances his increasingly positive and resonant playing.” Trilix comprises nine jazz compositions including Duke Jordan’s classic “Flight To Jordan” immaculately performed.

Since 1992 composer/bassist Steve LaSpina has been regularly releasing constantly high quality leader albums with consistently high quality. For his 7th CD on SteepleChase Steve returned to the studio with the same group as his 1997 recording of “When Children Smile” (SCCD 31410) of which JazzTimes’ reviewer Bill Bennett wrote, “This is an impressively thoughtful offering from a bassist often found in the company of thoughtful musicians. As a bassist, LaSpina evokes a wonderful sound, bent to the task by a solid time concept and intonation….”

Copenhagen Brew

To Start Again

Swedish Pastry

Dave Gelly of Gramophone Jazz Good CD Guide described Cochrane as “a mature and imaginative pianist with a delicate touch and deep harmonic resources… ” After a few years’ absence from the recording scene Cochrane emerges strong and brilliant here with his working trio.

This recording with the title song “Take Good Care Of My Heart” by Jermine Jackson was nominated for Down Beat’s “Jazz Album Of The Year” 1985. It was also nominated for a Grammy Polish Violinist/bandleader Michal Urbaniak (b. January 22, 1943 in Warsaw) studied violin (from age 6), soprano saxophone and later tenor saxophone. While working as a classical violinist after graduating from the Conservatory in Warsaw, Michal played tenor sax in jazz groups in Poland. He moved to New York in the 70s and has made numbers of highly successful albums with his own group.

Bluesology

SteepleChase is proud to introduce Russ Spiegel, an immensely talented guitarist / composer on this his label debut album. “Another exciting SteepleChase discovery is unveiled!” (Mark Gardner)

Saxophonist and composer Gregory Tardy emerged from the highly productive and creative jazz scene of the 90s and has established himself “as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation.” (Matthew Miller – AAJ). The music Gregory Tardy composes and performs is filled with devotional texture and emotion. The strength of his music and performance reaches out to the vast range of people regardless of their spiritual background, as it is the case with this his 8th release on SteepleChase. “He sounds as if he’s physically wresting new possibilities and beauty…. It’s moments such as these that invoke the combination of faith-infused yearning and hard-won triumph that is at the heart of the best spiritually inspired improvisational music.” (Carlo Wolff - JazzTimes on The Strongest Love” SCCD 31698

Dream Team

Three bright, contemporary trumpet voices engage here in fluent and spirited conversation. Listeners will find a surprise guest trumpeter on “Joy Spring” track. Ken Dryden of allaboutjazz remarked on Vol. 17 and 18, “…well worth acquiring."

Cutting Edge

Rich Perry is teamed up here with his original sidemen whom he goes back more than 13 years. “Perry and cohorts play jazz for the 21st century which shows a constant awareness and love for what went before.” (Mark Gardner) Rich's “Live at the Kitano 1” (SCCD 31600) drew a lot of attention from the critics. Matthew Miller of allaboutjazz wrote, “Perry once again dazzles with his facility and impeccable taste and further asserts himself as one of the most gifted saxophonists of his generation. …”

Crossroad

Pianist Bill Gerhardt has been a part of active jazz scene in New York for the past decade with his working band with which he makes his leader debut. Since his sideman appearance on Jed Levy’s “Round And Round” (SCCD 31529) Gerhardt has been on the “must record” list of SteepleChase.

Round Trip

Six decades after Charlie Parker’s death the master of modern trumpet Marcus Printup pays tribute to Bird whose music occupies substantial part of his musical foundation. “… Marcus Printup and associates show beyond doubt that Bird’s messages continue to have relevance I our times, two generations later.” (Mark Gardner)

“In the jazz tradition, the jam session played and continues to play a vital role in the musical community. In that spirit, Steeplechase, a label built on tradition, has come up with a jam session series, pairing veteran players with up-and-comers as a way of spreading the word about musicians on the label.” (Matthew Miller – Allabout jazz).