Ask Me Now

A sequel to Gerhardt’s successful first solo album All That I Have SCCD 31661 portraits the pianist/composer in deeply personal picture. “…, those who listened to and loved "All That I Have" will find further delightful satisfaction in encountering the nine parts that make up "Momentum". Together they embody the true essence of Bill's musical philosophy. (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes)

Sleight Of Hand

Trumpeter/composer Steve Lampert made quite a stir when he appeared in saxophonist Rich Perry’s CD “Hearsay” SCCD 31515 with his compositions of “…tricky, angular bop lines …” (Harvey Siders/JazzTimes) “adventurous harmonics, eccentric and fluctuating rhythms…” (Jack Bowers/Cadence) and his performance of “…technical brilliance ….enriching the frontline’s timbre” (Siders/JazzTimes). David R. Adler of All Music Guide remarked, “Lampert…proves to be a fluid and compelling soloist.” This is Steve Lampert’s leader debut CD which contains 55 minutes of highly personal music penned by the leader. Lampert comments in the linernotes, “….The music was conceived for instrumental performers in compositional interaction with a virtual reality consisting of computer sequenced electronic music….”

Blues Holiday

Andy LaVerne’s ongoing duo projects find the pianist this time in the company of his contemporary (both Bergonzi and LaVerne were born in 1947). Sharing the common taste and experience in music their mutual respect and admiration are evident throughout this album. Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi is also a renowned educator whose work is vastly appreciated and respected by his numerous students and colleagues. “… There is never any shortage of momentum in these performances which are deftly swinging and never give the slightest impression of being forced or in any sense incomplete … ! (Mark Gardner)

Andy LaVerne's association with SteepleChase dates back nearly a quarter of a century. He has been a prolific contributor to the catalogue. This marks his 16th effort as a leader and he has made numerous appearances as a sideman for the label. This CD contains four new compositions by LaVerne along with renditions of Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge" and Duke Pearson's "You Know I Care". Andy's last 3 CDs for SteepleChase are "Highly recommended for fans of jazz piano" by Ken Dryden of The All Music Guide. LaVerne's music "is quiet, contemplative, and smart." - Richard Kamins, Cadence.

Ari Ambrose with this his third CD is no longer a new comer who need an introduction. Although he is still young (26) and relatively new on the scene, there is no doubt that here is an artist with tremendous potential. As his former teacher saxophonist Dick Oatts puts it, “ Of all the young talents, his is the one that has given me the most pleasure… a great player…. He’s truly immersed himself in the music in the best possible way…” “In this impressive leader debut, tenor saxophonist Ari Ambrose steps to the fore as a fully formed stylist … At 26, the brash New Yorker is a master of his horn…” (Chuck Berg, JazzTimes)

Bassist/Composer/Bandleader Ron McClure eargerly took the challenge of combining two of the most exciting tenor saxophonists on the NY scene today: Rich Perry and Stephen Riley. McClure notes, “I paid special attention to Stephen Riley’s soft, melodic qualities, which are his signature. Stephen is truly a unique voice in today’s jazz scene, and utilizing his most personal musical qualities was top priority for me when choosing this material. Rich Perry is amazing! He can play anything and everything, and is as creative as a soloist as anyone on his instrument today. Rich Perry shines brightly, as always… ” “… Soft Hands (SCCD31615) signals his 31st session for SteepleChase as either leader or sideman. That’s an impressive run and this session contains new evidence as to why the Danish label holds his prowess in such high esteem”, (Derek Taylor, Jazz Bagatellen)

Since her SteepleChase debut with “Now And Zen” album (SCCD31432) of 1998 LeeAnn has been one of the front runners of women in jazz. Neither her earlier lengthy sick leave nor her current fragile physique could hinder her from releasing this strong album renewing and widening her creative scope. “Ledgerwood doesn’t set out to blaze trails. Her intent is to craft thoughtful, personal originals that build on and dovetail with a rich archival repertoire. To the pianist’s credit, she succeeds. Simple Truth is an appropriate and understated title for this modest, inviting album.” (Carlo Wolff- JazzTimes on SCCD 31705)

Trumpeter Bill Hardman (1933–1990) was a long-time front-line Jazz Messenger. This New York session from the summer of 1989 became Hardman’s last recording. Bill Hardman was one of the leading trumpeters in the hard bop era of 50s playing with Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Charles Mingus among others. Hardman lived in Paris in the last years of his life. “(Hardman) has cultivated a strikingly personal style, which emerges on this album.” (Birger Jørgensen – Århus Stiftstidende on What’s Up) “… in 1989 he made an excellent sextet album, What’s Up (SteepleChase), reuniting with Cook and adding Robin Eubanks’ trombone. At about the same time he moved to Paris, where he died Dec. 5th, 1990 of a cerebral stroke at 57.” (from the article Lest We Forget by George Kanzler – NYCJR Dec. 2020)

My One And Only Love

Chuck Berg of JazzTimes remarked several years ago, “SteepleChase producer Nils Winther apparently liked what he heard when first checking out George Colligan because he gave the pianist a chance to cultivate his original voice as a vital SteepleChase artist. …..Colligan shows signs of becoming one of the best pianists and composers of his generation.” Colligan indeed became “one of the brightest and most articulate new pianists on today’s scene”. With this 2011 album George begins a new collaboration with the label where he made his debut album “Activism” (SCCD 31382) 15 years ago.

Saxophonist Rich Perry has been a mainstay of the NY jazz scene for more than 30 years. Here on his 15th album Rich put together a piano-less trio with Jay Anderson on bass and Jeff Hirschfield on drums whom Rich describes as “two of my favourite musicians”. “Perry … dazzles with his facility and impeccable taste and further asserts himself as one of the most gifted saxophonists of his generation.” (Francis Lo Kee – AllAboutJazz)

Just Be There

40 years ago Bill Evans and Jim Hall recorded two brilliant duo albums called “Intermodulations” and “Undercurrent”. Andy Laverne and John Abercrombie whose collaboration dates back to the late 1960s have been inspired by the Evans-Hall recordings and have been experimenting with the format. Andy LaVerne remarks, "Over the years we have collaborated as a duo many times in concerts, club dates, workshop sessions. I guess Bill and Jim set a wonderful example to us of what could be achieved by the piano/guitar instrumentation”. This CD, though it is neither re-creation nor copying of the original material, is an evolution of the predecessors. have been inspired by the Evans-Hall recordings and have been experimenting with the format. Andy LaVerne remarks, "Over the years we have collaborated as a duo many times in concerts, club dates, workshop sessions. I guess Bill and Jim set a wonderful example to us of what could be achieved by the piano/guitar instrumentation”. This CD, though it is neither re-creation nor copying of the original material, is an evolution of the predecessors.

Here’s the sequel to SCS 1222 “Nuage” recorded a day after (May 25, 1986) at The Slukefter in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen. American drummer Ed Thigpen joined the group. Boulou Ferré (b. April 24, 1951 in Paris, France) is one of the greatest French contemporary virtuoso jazz guitarists of the manouche (gypsy jazz) tradition. He was awarded “Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” by the French Cultural Ministry in 2012. Together with his younger brother Elios Ferré, also a jazz guitarist, Boulou recorded seven albums for SteepleChase. " ... the music sparkles from the word 'go' with Parker's Confirmation...Well recorded and musically very impressive, Try and hear it." (David Lands, Jazz Journal International)

Guitar - Guitar - Guitar

Peter Zak is the latest addition of pianist to SteepleChase. Except for a few months of extra-curricular jazz study at University of California, Berklee School Peter Zak has never received formal music education. This natural talent found his own way into the music to become the complete pianist equipped with impeccable taste, effortless ease and technical perfection. “Peter Zak, a new name…but one, I suggest, we will hear a great deal more of in the future.” (Mark Gardner)

New York-based guitarist/composer Gene Segal was born in Russia and immigrated to USA as a young child with his musician family. His upbringing in European music tradition combined with American contemporary music including jazz enabled Gene Segal to create his unique universe of multi-layered music. “…the energy on this CD is different/better in major ways….if raw energy in jazz is your forte – GET THIS one!..I give Gene & all his players a definite MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…” (Improvijazzation #146 on SCCD 33114 “Mental Images”)

Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, the two pillars of bebop are the inspiration behind Louis Smith’s new album «Louisville» with the sequel title to his Blue Note release some 45 years ago «Smithville». On his earlier release with bebop theme “The Bopsmith” SCCD 31489 JazzTimes’ Greg Robinson wrote, “This is an enjoyable album of first-class modern bebop. Tumpeter Smith ... is a refined player who combines the jubilant flourish of Clifford Brown with a straightforward lyricism of Kenny Dorham ... Smith has a pleasant, compact tone and an ample reservoir of ideas ...”

Glass Ceiling

Piano/organ/drums is an uncommon combination, but how well it works in the hands (and feet) of such sensitive performers! (Mark Gardner) In this strikingly unusual “Trio” format Andy LaVerne finds a most tasteful and brilliant partner in organist Gary Versace and a new musical horizon to explore.

One For Reedus, Dave Stryker’s first recording for the label since the 2003 set “Strike Up The Band” (released in 2008) is also Dave’s return to a format that was so much part of his musical development on moving to New York in the early 1980s - the guitar/organ/drums combination. The Dave Stryker Organ Trio has been a working band for the past several years. This album is dedicated to the band’s great drummer Tony Reedus who passed away early 2009, who was very much involved in this project. “The album has a definite polish: Nils Winther's production is of a very high quality, and each of the four musicians plays with a distinctive and clear sound…..” (Jay Deshpande on Strike Up The Band SCCD31637 – AllAboutJazz)

Eclipse