A very special evening for both the performers and listeners would ensue; Rich was really “on” from the first to last notes played, and everyone present was “in the zone” with him. It is interesting to me that the music came off as well as it did, since much of my time in the days before the concert was spent in the administrative and promotional trenches. I had fully intended for the group to rehearse with Rich and to stick in a tune or two of mine, but as luck would have it there were many last minute things to take care of as well as a surprising lack of local publicity for Rich’s appearance. (from Harold Danko's linernotes)

George Cables has proved again to be one of the most imaginative trio performers of today’s jazz scene with this his latest CD. “Listening to this absorbing recital by Mr. Cables, it seemed to me that he now epitomises the best of jazz mainstream piano. Here is a session which even the untutored lay listener can enjoy, with the familiarity of most the songs helping the process….” (Mark Gardner from the liner notes)

Harold Danko, the mastermind of this two-saxophone quintet project has dreamed of uniting Rich Perry’s tenor with Dick Oatts’ alto for at least quarter of a century. Danko was already an established member of Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra when Dick and Rich joined them as new saxophone wonders, “who made a lasting impression on everyone who heard them…” (Harold Danko)

Since his SteepleChase debut with pianist Hal Galper on an album entitled "Reach Out" (SCCD 31067) in 1976, drummer Billy Hart and label have kept a long, productive relationship. This release marks his 68th recording and his 1st leader album for SteepleChase. Billy Hart has not only been the company's most recorded drummer but also one of the most influential voices in the label’s creative decision making. “… Hart is widely regarded as one of the most capable of modern-jazz drummers…” (The New Grove Dictionary of JAZZ)

How can six men, who don’t normally play together and certainly not as an ensemble, congregate and make such fine, purposeful music of enduring consequence? That’s the spell of jazz and the lasting lure of the jam session, of which this particular one is an outstanding example.

“Of the many stars to have emerged on the jazz horizon during the ‘90s, one of the most disciplined, emotive and perhaps underrated is the multifaceted Gregory Tardy .… With this release, his first on SteepleChase, Tardy takes another step toward establishing himself as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation. “ Matthew Miller (All about jazz) on Gregory Tardy’s “Truth” album (SCCD 31583)

Bassist/Composer Ron McClure chose a drum-less trio format for his new outing for SteepleChase exposing himself into a more demanding role. “It would have been risky business trying some of these pieces without drums with most players, but with Rich Perry and George Colligan, I knew that there was no reason to worry. “ (Ron McClure – form the liner notes)

Peter Zak has admired and studied McCoy Tyner’s music for many years. On his fifth album he realizes his dream project of interpreting his idol. On his previous release “My Conception” (SCCD 31641), allaboutjazz’s Terrell Kent Holms wrote, “Zak plays with richness and fluidity, artfully blending the many colors on his palette to create bright landscapes. Zak plays with a confidence born of his undeniable skill. …Zak always makes the right choices, and audiences will continue to reap the benefits of hearing this wonderfully talented piano man.”

Stanley Cowell during the last five decades has not only been active on the jazz scene but also devoted himself in the musical education of younger generation. Now his well-earned retirement from teaching at the Rutgers enables him to spend more time in performing and recording. The latest album, which is his 13th release on this label, Stanley Cowell presents himself as a supreme interpreter of jazz’s standard titles. “…it's a great pleasure to hear Stanley Cowell's It's Time: a finely crafted collection of mostly originals that is at once sophisticated, both aggressive and pensive, and simply fascinating to listen to.” (Greg Simmons – AJJ on “It’s Time” SCCD 31740)

Vol. 30 marks the last and completion of SteepleChase Jam Session series which started 12 years ago featuring talented instrumentalists of younger (and old, too) generation on the New York scene. Derek Taylor of AAJ-NY sums up the significance of this series “As long as there is jazz, jam sessions will continue to be the glue that holds the art form together. It’s a dyed-in-the-wool tradition in the music and a primary means by which it evolves. These conclaves of like-minded players draw enthusiastically on the best traits of the practice. The days when giants like Bean, Bags, Jaw and Jug frequented after hours haunts, blowing just for the fun of it and honing their craft into a distinctly American art form are past, but the vernaculars they shaped live on in these men and show that the handed down torch is definitely still burning bright.”

Following up the intriguing 2009 SteepleChase debut album “Blue Light” (SCCD 31662) shedding lights on compositions of Gigi Gryce, saxophonist/composer Chris Byars with his quintet features legendary vibraphonist Teddy Charles, in an attractive program including his own compositions together with works by Donald Byrd, a Teddy Charles remake of his classic recording of "Nature Boy", and a unheard composition by Gigi Gryce.

One of the greatest American jazz pianists Stanley Cowell has been more active as a dedicated educator than a recording artist in the last 10 years. Cowell now makes his recording comeback to delight us with his finest works. “ After more than a decade away from the recording studios, that fine and highly-regarded pianist/composer Stanley Cowell returns, and at the same time unveils a shining bright talent in his 20-year-old daughter Sunny, a fresh-sounding vocalist and accomplished viola player ” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

Elite trombonist of the younger generation Vincent Gardner assembles sextet for his forth album on the label to showcase his enormous talent as arranger. “…Gardner is an impressive, well-rounded trombonist, fleet and nimble in a boppish uptempo zone and blessed with vocalistlike expressivity when elegance is required.” (Josef Woodard – JazzTimes on Gardner’s debut album “Elbowroom” SCCD 31580)

Marcus Printup, Ryan Kisor and Joe Magnarelli, with their exciting work throughout this stimulating set, prove beyond question that the future of jazz trumpet is in good hands and is as diverse and intriguing as it was in the past. (Mark Gardner).

A sequel to the highly successful SCCD 31588 “Oatts & Perry I”, on which Thomas Conrad of JazzTimes commented, “…Harold Danko played with Oatts and Perry in the Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Orchestra and always wanted them in his own band. This album is a true sleeper, a blowing date on which the blowing is epic and the date is beautifully planned and recorded.” "Rich Perry is that rarest of tenor saxophonists — a complete musician." (Donald Elfman , Allabout Jazz–NY) "… Dick Oatts is an uncompromising jazz musician, one who possesses monster chops without trumpeting them… " (Owen Cordle, JazzTimes)

A good part of pianist/composer/educator Harold Danko’s strength lies in his creative intelligence in composition of originals as well as in recasting or reinventing the existing melodies like in this new release. “Danko's approach is one of subtlety and sophistication, not of pyrotechnics (though his technical facility is formidable). He often takes a recognizable tune and changes the setting and mood to produce performances that are pleasantly surprising.” (Francis Lo Kee, AAJ on Escapades SCCD 31674)

Dave Stryker’s indeed “striking up” the band on this his latest SteepleChase release in a most impressive and imaginative way as Mark Gardner puts it, “That’s how jazz works at it best, and this is top drawer stuff.”.

Best-known for her classic 1955 Top 10 hit "Cry Me A River", Julie London was a fine sultry-voiced jazz and pop singer, who enjoyed her greatest popularity during the "cool" era of the late '50s and early '60s - Billboard magazine named her as the most popular female vocalist of 1955, '56 and '57. Although she sang as a child with her parents' vaudeville act on radio, the first decade of her career from 1945 was as a Hollywood movie actress, becoming a popular pin-up girl of GIs, and appearing with the likes of Gary Cooper. Beginning her recording career in 1955, she scored a hit with her first release for Liberty, "Cry Me A River", and over subsequent years released around twenty singles for the label, as well as having a regular output of concept albums, showcasing her smoky and sensuous vocal style with a mixture of sophisticated pop and mainstream jazz material. This great-value 58-track 2-CD collection comprises her debut recordings on an EP recorded for the Bethlehem label (the tracks were later released as singles by Liberty), and all her A and B sides for Liberty through to 1962, some of which came from her LP releases, plus selected tracks from the seventeen albums she released during those first important years of her recording career. As well as "Cry Me A River", it includes what was one of her best-known recordings, her vocal version of the jazz cha-cha "Desafinado (Slightly Out of Tune)" from 1962. "Cry Me A River" has been revived by many high-profile artists over the years. Julie London is an artist who has not received the accolades she deserved as a sophisticated jazz/pop singer to compare with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee, and this collection will help underline her distinctive talent.

Josef Woodard of allaboutjazz commented on Vincent Gardner’s Elbow Room album (SCCD 31580): “Gardner is an impressive, well-rounded trombonist, fleet and nimble in a boppish uptempo zone and blessed with vocalist-like expressivity when elegance is required …… He deserves the spotlight.”

C. Andrew Hovan of AllAboutJazz once observed, “What has marked all of Stryker's previous SteepleChase sides has been his penchant to not repeat formats or ideas. Each session sports a different group of musicians and the material covers new ground.” Mr. Hovan’s observation proves true here on Stryker’s latest recording of mesmerizing organ quintet with repertoire raging from Michael Jackson to Clifford Brown together with his originals. “(Stryker) combines tradition and modernity in equal balance, arranges with skill and imagination, teases optimum performances from associates with good-natured relish, and plays the blues with deep felt conviction.” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

“The choice of trumpeters proved to be inspired because Ryan Kisor, John McNeil and Brad Goode worked together beautifully and formed a clarion-clear brass choir on the ensembles. Each does his own thing and they are different enough to ensure a constant flow of surprises. They obviously had a ball, and there is no question of anyone "carving" his fellows; rather it is a story of mutual inspiration.” (Mark Gardner) On previous SteepleChase Jam Session series, Derek Taylor of All About Jazz wrote, “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… ”

Guitarist Purrone leads his power rhythm section (Dave Anderson - electric fretted & fretless bass and Thierry Arpino - drums) in a session covering tunes ranging from "Body and Soul" to one of Miles Davis' later compositions "Petits Machins (Little Stuff)". Purrone is a rising guitar star. He is well known for his work with the Heath Brothers and all over the East Coast. Jim Ferguson of Jazz Times in his review of an earlier Purrone CD on SteepleChase ( SCCD 31475- Temperament) states that "there is more to this six string wonder than sheer velocity. He swings hard and sure while tantalizing the ear with ideas that range from eccentric circus moves to phrases that are hip and creative." Recorded in March 2001, this CD marks Purrone's sixth effort as a leader for SteepleChase. He is well known for his work with the Heath Brothers and all over the East Coast. Jim Ferguson of Jazz Times in his review of an earlier Purrone CD on SteepleChase ( SCCD 31475- Temperament) states that "there is more to this six string wonder than sheer velocity. He swings hard and sure while tantalizing the ear with ideas that range from eccentric circus moves to phrases that are hip and creative." Recorded in March 2001, this CD marks Purrone's sixth effort as a leader for SteepleChase.

In response to wide spread critical acclaim for their first duet recording on SteepleChase (SCCD 31485 "Twins"), pianist Colligan and bassist Bodilsen did a second session for SteepleChase following a Scandanavian tour just 13 months later. "George Colligan is one of the brightest and most articulate new pianists on today's scene. On "Twins" the pianist's synaptic spontaneity dances freely. Colligan's foil is the estimable young Danish bassist, Jesper Bodilsen. Like NHOP, Bodilsen possesses a warm sound, great dexterity, virtually faultless intonation and an aura of calm even in the midst of volcanic eruptions." (Harvey Pekar, Jazz Times, July/August 2001) " A real keeper all the way around, "Twins" is yet another fine collection to add to Colligan's already imposing body of work." (Chris Hovan, allaboutjazz.com)

The follow-up set to the 2002 homage to Evans and Hall, Timeline (SteepleChase SCCD 31538) continues to illustrate the astonishing empathy and interplay between Abercrombie and LaVerne and to concentrate on conveying the spirit of the Evans/Hall sound. “… Abercrombie and LaVerne bring their own values and sensibilities to bear throughout the set… ” (Jim Ferguson, JazzTimes)

Vic Juris’ new album continues in the highly acclaimed guitar trio configuration of his earlier release “Omega Is The Alpha” SCCD 31696 , on which John Kelman of AAJ remarked, “….That Juris is working in an open-ended trio setting with two players of like-minded intent and similarly undervalued status, only makes Omega is the Alpha an even more exceptional album. …. it's also a sure bet as one of this year's finest guitar sets.” “….Juris is a favourite among guitarists, in part because his exceptional technique is all but masked by his dedication to playing interesting things…” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD)