Volition

New York based saxophonist Kim Bock brings his band to Scandinavian tour annually. One of their concerts from Copenhagen is captured here live with the enthusiastic audience. Tom Greenland of allaboutjazz wrote of Bock’s debut album “Secrets” (SCCD 31603): “…An excellent beginning, Secrets showcases Bock’s writing and playing and, most of all, his ability to attune his talents to the voices of his contemporaries.”

Veteran jazz drummer Eliot Zigmund has enjoyed a wide and varied career in jazz spanning forty years of playing with numerous jazz stars: Bill Evans, Jim Hall, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz, among others. Born 1945 in the Bronx, Eliot grew up in the fertile New York jazz scene of the 50’s and 60’s and began playing professionally at the age of 15. He studied music at both the Mannes College of Music and at the City College of New York. Eliot has been a sideman on many recordings and has also released three albums under his own name including his Steeplechase recording titled “Breeze” (SCCD 31635), featuring Gary Versace, Mike Lee and Phil Polumbi. Trio EZ here consists of New York’s in-demand trumpeter Rick Savage and keyboardist/Hammond B-3 organist Mark Minchello.

One year after her long-awaited comeback album (from a lengthy leave of absence due to illness) “Simple Truth” (SCCD 31705), pianist LeeAnn Ledgerwood compiled this latest album with 100% original material, showcasing her extraordinary talent as composer as well. Carlo Wolff of JazzTimes commented on “Simple Truth”, “Ledgerwood is not interested in impressing with technique and daring; hers is an artistry of nuance and emotional layering. ….. inviting album.” “… pianist Lee Ann Ledgerwood is part of an ever growing contingency of extremely talented jazz musicians of the female persuasion… and first crack at a piano trio record. Ultimately, it proves to be one of the best of its kind in recent memory. Simultaneously adventurous but also emotionally direct…” (C. Andrew Hovan, aaj on “Transition” SCCD 31468)

Trumpeter/composer/arranger Jason Palmer was a new name when he recorded as sideman for Billy Hart album “Sixty-Eight” (SCCD 31707). He became SteepleChase recording artist last year with his brilliant “Nothing To Hide” album (SCCD 31699) backed by his Boston-based band. For his second album here Jason put together a new group featuring saxophonist Mark Turner of whom Jason remarks, “Mark Turner is one of the most influential non-trumpeters on my approach to improvisation.” and several up-and c-coming young jazz artists from the New York scene.

“The music presented here …. demands attentive listening. ….The shades and textures woven by the Scott Five are neither random nor nonchalant, but carefully coloured and contoured. It is absorbing music that grows on you more with each hearing …..”Mark Gardner (Contributor, Jazz Journal International since 1962) • On Scott’s earlier album “Song for Amy” (SCCD 31561), Cadence’s Dave Dupont wrote, “…balance between drawing resources from the past and expressing musical ideas with in-the-moment urgency is what makes me inclined to sing the praises of Scott’s song.”

When Children Smile

Introducing Ari Ambrose

Blue And Brown

On The Roll

The Steve Slagle Quartet

In this long-waited first leader album in six years Oatts again reveals himself as an uncompromising and phenomenal jazz musician. In reviewing Oatts’ previous release “South Paw” (SCCD 31511) Owen Cordle of JazzTimes wrote, “ …Long-time lead alto man with the Vanguard Orchestra, Oatts comes from the Desmond- Konitz school of saxophone playing. But a sweet sound and a cerebral approach to improvising comprise only part of his style. There's also a trim muscularity in his tone and lines. And the lines can be quite angular and oblique at times. I don't hear any other alto man playing with all these qualities these days. …”

Three Of Four

Distant Dream

Levy’s interpretation of Duke Ellington compositions released on “Mood Ellington” (SCCD 31579) was well received by critics and listeners. On this latest CD Levy explores the extraordinary legacy of one of the most influencial pianists of our time, Bill Evans.

Veteran alto saxophonist Andy Fusco, despite his long-time active career which had begun with the 5-year tenure with the Buddy Rich Big Band in the late 70s, has been notoriously under-recorded as a leader. His SteepleChase debut album last year “Whirlwind” SCCD 31811, though it took 12 years before its release, has marked the new era for the virtuoso instrumentalist. Here on his new album (only one year has passed since the last one) Fusco leads his hand-picked band to present a tasteful and full-blooded program. “Whirlwind is one of those rare releases that exceeds craft and competence, and establishes its own reasons for being. Among other things, it's a bottomless well of a jazz record. The more you play it, the more discoveries you make. The music offers multiple perspectives and can be enjoyed in a number of ways.” (David A.Orthmann – AAJ on SCCD 31811)

Mike Richmond, Grammy Award-winning bassist with vast experience with leaders such as Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Horace Silver, Jack DeJohnette, Gil Evans, Chet Baker to mention a few, leads here his own group with cello as his instrument for the first time. Cello as a jazz instrument is still a rarity but its history goes back to the 50s when Oscar Pettiford broke new ground. Richmond put together this all-Pettiford-composition album to honor the pioneer. “…Dance for Andy is one of those rare CDs that sustain interest through a 70-minute-plus duration.” (Richard Cook & Brian Morton – The Penguin Guide on SCCD 31267) “Richmond is as nimble fingered and resourceful a bassist we have heard in some time.” (New York Daily News)

Constant Source

Some Other Blues

“The Danish Steeplechase imprint has long recognized the fertile dynamics of jam sessions, fronting the resources for many in its roster of players to convene in just such supportive surroundings.” (Derek Taylor – allaboutjazz)

Native of Umbria, Italy, pianist/composer Federico Bonifazi has become a highly acclaimed name both in national and international scene in recent years. For this his 3rd album Bonifazi composed a suite depicting the beauty of his beloved Umbria in the changing colors of autumn performed by Bonifazi’s handpicked elite Italian ensemble. “.. an album worthy of special attention, conceived and created with a strong artistic personality and with a huge communicative generosity, … with the humility and discretion that only the great artists possess and that make this CD a real pearl in the musical production of the Umbrian pianist.” (Proposito di Jazz on SCCD 33125 “You’ll See”)

Standard Issue

Andy LaVerne continues to explore the path he set out with his previous critically acclaimed release “Genesis” (SCCD 31818), this time with an added voice in trumpet/flugelhorn by Alex Sipiagin as well as Mike Richmond’s overdubbed cello over his bass-line. As in the previous album all titles are new originals by LaVerne, who, to quote Neil Tesser, Grammy Award winning American journalist, is a committed melodist, with truly individualistic tone. “… Intelligent Design lives up to its name as one of LaVerne's best efforts thus far and one of the finest jazz releases of the year.” (C. Andrew Hovan – AAJ on SCCD 31618 Intelligent Design)

The album concept “Ballin Sings Berlin” is a logical conclusion of a series of tribute concert Yaala Ballin produced a while ago entitled “His Name Was Israel Baline”. The idea started with Yaala’s research into possible ancestral connection with Irving Berlin (born Israel Baline). With or without connection she ended up with the superb recital of gems by arguably the greatest American songwriter. Israli-born Yaala was classically trained but grew more attracted to jazz later on and studied with Sheila Jordan. Since her move to New York in 2004 Yaala has developed herself into one of the remarkably original singers on the NY scene. Yaala was featured on “The Music Of Duke Jordan” (SCCD 31787) with the Chris Byars Septet.

Yvonnick Prené, French-born, New York-based, young (29) virtuoso on the chromatic harmonica presents his much-awaited CD debut on SteepleChase LookOut. While still studying at City College of New York and New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Yvonnick was already establishing himself as a highly acclaimed artist performing in USA and Europe. “….we find a young phenom determine to take the harmonica to a new sense of melodic intensity, dynamic tension and improvisational techniques missing from the instrument on a consistent basis for years…Jour de Fête is a happy record, brimming with an effervescent quality that accentuates the sublime artistic gift of Prené…In short, Prené is the real deal….” (Brent Black – CriticalJazz.com)