One of New York’s (or rather World’s) top Hammond Organ players Brian Charette has kept us in anticipation of something new every time he goes into recording studios. His unique approach has deepened and expanded the boundaries of music that B-3 organ can create. Here again for his sixth release on SteepleChase Brian opted for a somewhat unusual Organ-Piano trio format with repertoire of traditional materials dotted with experimental treatments conjuring up a compelling middle ground between past and future. “Brian Charette has emerged as one of the top organists of his generation because of a fresh approach to his instrument, drawing from musical influences around the world with often surprising results.” (Ken Dryden – New York City Jazz Records on “The Questions That Drives Us” SCCD 31784)

Harold Danko’s trio is in fact Harold Danko Quartet without Rich Perry – thus the album title “Unriched”. This latest Harold Danko Trio was cut right after the Quartet session fully warmed up and is rich with intense creativity and sophistication. Harold Danko has been a mainstay of SteepleChase label since the early 80s producing a number recordings in various settings with highest quality.

On this his 8th release Ballou states, “Of the sessions I have made this one is particularly significant. It represents a direction I have been headed in for years: informing one’s self with knowledge and experience, in both art and life, therefore increasing the potential to create a vast experience for the audience. The collaborative creations you hear on this recording are the collective conversations of three people sincerely striving to connect with you, the listener”

At this stage of his development, with more than 30 years' playing under his belt, Gerhardt is definitely his own man, compositionally and instrumentally. That is as it should be. First and foremost he considers himself a composer; Cotangent is an outlet for his creations to be heard. At the same time he has evolved his own playing to achieve a personal sound at the keyboard. (Mark Gardner from the liner notes)

Reconstruction

This Danish Radio transmission of 1966 together with the preceding two volumes (SCCD 36016 “If I Had You” and SCCD 36019 “I Should Care”) from 1965 make up a precious and important part of Brew Moore’s scarce discography and a reminder of a genius whose life ended too prematurely. “…Moore was never happier than during the Copenhagen years, where the working environment, audience appreciation and enthusiastic colleagues were all factors that made life fulfilling.” (Mark Gardner)

“… Riley plays softly but packs a wallop, tearing up speedy bop workouts, sliding deep into the blues, and bouncing merrily in swing time...” , Forrest Dylan Bryant (JazzTimes) on Riley’s “Easy To Remember” (SCCD 31609). On this his third album, the powerful duo collaboration between Stephen Riley and bassist John Brown created a masterpiece.

Steeplechase producer Nils Winther’s interest in documenting spontaneous meetings of talented musicians deserves praise, demanding single takes and no rehearsals to keep the music fresh and the players on their toes. (Ken Dryden on Jam Session vol. 17 & 18 – allabout jazz)

JazzTimes ‘s Owen Cordle remarked on Christian Winther’s previous SteepleChase Album “The Only Plan” SCCD 31585, “ It marks his rise as another promising tenor saxophonist among the ranks of well-schooled young jazz musicians”. On his third album on the label here Winther plays a soulful jazz vibrant with feeling and passion.

Born To Be Blue

Thomas Conrad of JazzTimes wrote of the Peter Zak Trio: “… constitute one of the most polished, intelligent, swinging piano trios now playing jazz in New York or anywhere else.”

Embrace

There Goes My Heart

John McNeil (born March 23, 1948) is one of the most influential trumpeters today. Despite his debilitating health condition which he has been fighting all his life, McNeil has a fully active career both as performer and educator. Recorded during McNeil’s European tour in 1983 with a fellow American Doug Raney on guitar and the best Danish rhythm section at the time, this album caught the trumpeter at his top form. “…. He seems to have the trick of drawing the best from his sidemen ….” (Melody Maker) “… plays his horn with a soulfulness that is rarely heard these days. [His] poetic, dusky-toned trumpet is very close to song.” (Chicago Tribune) “McNeil's solos were by and large the most incisive features of the night.” (London Daily Mail)

This is the first leader album of Joe Locke (b. March 18, 1959 in Palo Alto, California) on SteepleChase. “He has a solid background in the modern-mainstream tradition…An interesting album by a musician from whom I am sure we will hear more.” (Mike Shera – Jazz Journal International) “Joe Locke is a new star on jazz vibraphone scene, who deserves even wider recognition now. This album has a excellent ensemble feel to offer solid performance throughout. Locke’s vibraphone has fresh musicality.” (Sato – Swing Journal)

The “Three” of “The Three Is Not A Crowd” goes way back to 1977 when Andy LaVerne, Mike Richmond and Billy Hart comprised the rhythm section for the great Stan Getz quartet. Andy LaVerne cut his debut album with Richmond and Hart that year in Copenhagen which was released as “Another World” (SteepleChase SCCD 31086). 35 years later the “Three” convened in a NJ studio to record. The result here is not just a reunion but a new world of creative outpouring by the three mature artists.

A new face on SteepleChase, guitarist Craig Brann was born in Whitefield, Maine in 1978 and studied music at William Patterson University in New Jersey. He lives in Brooklyn and performs in and around New York City. Craig’s SteepleChase debut “Advent[ure]” is SteepleChase’s first ever “Christmas” album as all the tunes are based on Christmas carols. Those Christmas melodies here are, however, reworked into something fresh and new by the creative hand of Brann who has long been influenced by Lennie Tristano. "Required holiday listening... Craig Brann and friends dig deep into the jazz canon in order to truly reinvent the world of holiday music. Listen up - you'll not only be charmed at hearing these familiar songs in such a new way, but surprised and rewarded at every turn." (Sam Sadigursky – saxophonist, composer and winner of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award)

Precisely a year ago then 17-year old high school student, Gabe Terracciano from Portland, Maine with his violin in his hand walked into a NYU classroom where the veteran bassist/educator Ron McClure held his jazz ensemble class. McClure, after playing a few tunes together with this young violinist, started to plan this recording session with him. Ron McClure states in the liner notes: “I knew instantly that I was listening to someone who is going to make it!…... I felt like I was a witness to something unique, as much as being part of this event …. ”

Slagle Plays Monk

Pastels

Lee Konitz, at seventy something, is one of the most active jazz musicians, not just for his age but simply active, period. He is constantly on the road or in the studios with insatiable appetite for performing. On this date the veteran is surrounded by three Young Lions as Lee calls them. Though they had never played together before, the mutual respect and appreciation were apparent as the session progressed. “Pride” is Lee Konitz’ 11th entry on SteepleChase.

Another World

Parade

Copenhagen Calypso

The 6th leader album by trumpeter Dave Ballou finds him in an unusual but fascinating two-bass quartet form. In addition to the two superb bassists John Hebert and Michael Formanek, percussionist Kevin Norton contributes his part on drums and vibes. Here’re excerpts of reviews on Ballou’s earlier releases: “Ballou plays idea-rich, solidly structured solos…He has a full, warm, cultivated tone; plays very well in the lower as well as upper register…. a thoughtful, melodic improviser….”(Harvey Pekar / JazzTimes on The Floating World SCCD 31486)