Look To The Sky

Pianist/composer Irving Sidney “Duke” Jordan (April 1, 1922 – August 8, 2006) was most noted for his association with Charlie Parker in the late 40s and for his compositional talent as the author of “Jordu” and “No Problem”, among others. “Always a great jazz composer as well as a unique pianist, Duke is forever developing and growing … A fully integrated trio disc that nevertheless has the leader’s personality and style stamped firmly on every track.” (Derek Ansell – Jazz Journal International) “Every piece here was written by Jordan, and everyone is as worthy of jazz standard status …” Larry Kart – Chicago Tribune) “He’s one of the giants of the bop era, but his keyboard stylings are contemporary and entertaining.” (Billboard Recommended LP)

This is Jimmy and Doug’s highly successful debut recording together, “...impeccable selection of tunes, sidemen, performances . ...A faultless album ...” (Takashi Kubota, Swing Journal January 1980) “Highly listenable for guitar enthusiasts, and those who prefer the lighter sounds in jazz.” (Nevil Shrimshire, Jazz Journal International, January 1980)

I Wanna Talk About You

Home

“El Grand Señior from Catalonia” was the way Dexter Gordon used to introduce Tete Montoliu to the audience at Club Montmartre in the 60s. Vincente Montoliu Massana, better known as Tete Montoliu (1933-1997) was born blind and learned to play piano at age 7 by Braille method. He studied music at the Conservatori Superior de Música de Barcelona (1946-1953). His remarkable international career took off in 1956 when Lionel Hampton invited him for his big band and since then Tete played all over the world with host of jazz luminaries. “Listen to the superb interaction between a man and his piano in the utmost sublimity... Montoliu shares the same pulse, sincerity, talent with his illustrious predecessors Art Tatum and Earl Hines...” (Pierre Steve, The Lion on SCS 1216) “Like the previously released album from the same session – “That’s All” (SCS1199) this Spanish pianist shows his grandiose and virtuoso side…” (Erik Wiedemann – Information on SCS 1216)

No Rush

The Camel

Of this unique recording of a father-and-son team, Chicago Tribune of June 8, 1980 summed up quite eloquently, “Duets is an unassuming title for one of the loveliest recordings of this or any other year - a SteepleChase album on which guitarist Jimmy Raney joins his guitarist-son, Doug Raney, in a musical dialog so closely knit that often it is hard to tell which Raney is taking the lead...”

To My Son

Open Air

The Traveller

Pianist Joe Bonner (1948 – 2014) was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina where Thelonious Monk was born about three decades earlier and left strong influence on the young pianist. An impressive modernist Joe Bonner performed in and around Denver, Colorado towards the end of his life and became a legendary figure. He spent considerable time in Denmark during the 80s. This album from Copenhagen in March 1987 is a studio recording with another American expatriate Bob Rockwell on tenor. "...The Lost Melody is a good group session, marked by strong charts ...." (The Penguin Guide to JAZZ) "... one cannot but admire the fluency and precision, the dexterous right hand...the diversity in his play is a mark of a great pianist..." (Jean-Paul Ricard, Diapason)

My Standard

When Sunny Gets Blue

Suite For Chocolate

“Powell sounds content and secure here, yet his playing still has an acutely expressive edge and his total dedication to the art of music is as evident as usual...” (Max Harrison, Melody Maker February 23, 1980)

Here’s the second volume of the celebrated Bud Powell recording from Gyllen Cirkeln (Vol. 1 - SCCD 36001). There are three more volumes to come. All tracks have never been issued before. “...there is no other recording which allows you to enjoy Powell so thoroughly as this series. Precious releases.” (Eiichi Fujii, Swing Journal) “ ....Absolutely indispensable.” (Pierre Schavey, JAZZ)

Dexter In Radioland vol. 5 This fifth volume finds Dexter with his best rhythm section. “...This collection of recordings from the Montmartre Club in Copenhagen in the Sixties...captures Gordon in full bloom....when Gordon hits his stride, as he does on the blues choruses of “Soul Sister”, there is every reason to join in the cheering of the audience. Remember him this way.” (Clive Davis, The Arts)

Alone

“…one of the loveliest recordings of this or any other year …” (Larry Kart, Chicago Tribune) “…filled with excellent performances this album will satisfy you completely…” (Takashi Kubota, Swing Journal) “…highly listenable for guitar enthusiasts, and those who prefer the lighter sounds in jazz.” (Nevil Skrimshire, Jazz Journal) Previously issued on SCCD 31118 & SCCD 31134

American trumpeter Red Rodney (1927-1994) came into the spotlight with his legendary firecracker pace and pitch late 40s and was hired by Charlie Parker to replace Miles Davis in his quintet (1949-1951). In spite of his turbulent life during the 60s and 70s Rodney made a comeback to the world scene in the 80s. For the interesting details, do read Chris Sheridan’s liner notes included in this release. This 1988 studio recording took place in Copenhagen, Denmark where he lived a couple of years. “...this excellent and restrained session will bring more accolades to this little giant of jazz, Red Rodney.” (Jazznews) “Here is one of the most listenable Red Rodney records to come along in years .... It is Rodney’s superbly lyrical work that makes this an essential record.” (Jazz Journal)

Bassist Mike Richmond billed as the leader of this trio LP recorded in Hamburg, Germany in the early summer of 1988 was a guest performer at the NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk) radio big band together with the two American colleagues, Larry Schneider (saxophone) and Adam Nussbaum (drums). When they were not rehearsing or playing with the big band, they formed a trio and started developing a program for the recording for SteepleChase. So here’s the youthful Schneider/Richmond/Nussbaum coalition to present an engaging trio jazz. “The leader … (with) steadfast mainstream- modern reputation pilots the trio with great enthusiasm.” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz - on SCS 1237)

Dexter In Radioland vol. 3 “Those were the nights in the summer of 64, sitting home in your pad turning the dial on the radio, and suddenly the mighty Dexter Gordon is on the air. You are in Radioland with one of the godfathers of bebop...”(Ib Skovgaard - from the linernotes.) “....an impressive document of the time.” (Barry McRae, Jazz Journal International November 1990)

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