Clarinetist and saxophonist Jimmy Dorsey and his brother Tommy led two of the most popular and successful big bands through the swing era of the late '30s and through the war years into the post-war decade until popular music changed in the new socio-economic climate. Jimmy took over leadership of The Dorsey Brothers orchestra in 1935 when Tommy left to form his own band, and over the next two decades maintained a remarkably consistent presence in the pop charts, capturing the zeitgeist of the times with instrumental hits that provided the favoured style of dance music and vocal hits which encapsulated the sentimental, optimistic and escapist themes which kept people going through the difficult times of the war or reflected the upbeat mood of later years - when he died from cancer in 1957, aged just 53, his final hit was still in the charts. During this time, his band featured a number of different male and female singers, who were variously featured on most of the records, including Kay Weber, Helen O'Connell, Bob Eberly, June Richmond, Kitty Kallen, Gladys Tell, Teddy Walters, Jean Cromwell, Bob Carroll and Dee Parker. This great-value 105-track 5-CD set comprises his entries in Billboard, Cash Box and the other US charts which existed before the Billboard record sales charts began in 1940, and includes the No. 1 hits "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?", "Change Partners", "The Breeze and I", "Amapola", "Green Eyes", "My Sister and I", "Maria Elena", "Blue Champagne", "Tangerine" & "Besame Mucho". It's a thorough and entertaining overview of the music that made his orchestra such a fixture in the pop music landscape of the time

Abercrombie/LaVerne partnership goes back in the 60s when both musicians studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston. The duo released a number of studio sessions on SteepleChase in the past decades but this time their exciting concert from Baruch University, NY is captured live. JazzTimes’ Jim Ferguson commented on their earlier release SCCD 31538 “Timeline”: “Although John Abercrombie has done his fair share of experimentation over the years, at the heart of his work is a musicality-as evident throughout Timeline… pianist Andy LaVerne joins Abercrombie for a musical celebration of the influential, historic collaborations between Jim Hall and Bill Evans,… Abercrombie and LaVerne bring their own values and sensibilities to bear throughout the set .… ”

The final set of the dazzling live recording of Rich Perry Quartet at New York’s famous jazz lounge at the Kitano Hotel puts slightly more weight on jazz originals. “… a quartet of talented musicians playing well-worn standards can still come up with renditions startling in their freshness and artistic relevance.” ( Matthew Miller of allaboutjazz )

Trumpeter Marcus Printup focuses on displaying his lyrical side on this latest “Ballad only” album. His full sound which has a vocal quality suits the material perfectly. “In "Ballads - All Night" he reveals yet another facet of his keen musical insight and appreciation. In the process he will delight confirmed fans and listeners new to his art.” (Mark Gardner from the liner notes) SCCD 31679 Dave Stryker Trio "One For Reedus" 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) SCCD 31681 Marcus Printup Quintet "Ballads - All Night" Trumpeter Marcus Printup focuses on displaying his lyrical side on this latest “Ballad only” album. His full sound which has a vocal quality suits the material perfectly. “In "Ballads - All Night" he reveals yet another facet of his keen musical insight and appreciation. In the process he will delight confirmed fans and listeners new to his art.” (Mark Gardner from the liner notes)

Congolese-Danish saxophonist/composer John Tchicai returns to SteepleChase after a long absence. As “God Father” or “Guru” of free jazz Tchicai has been active on the scene and studios but this first leader album in 22 years for the label features his striking sound on alto sax interpreting works by Monk.

“….This is exciting, entrancing and vigorous music, filled with nuances and subtleties… As for contemporary jazz trumpet playing it doesn’t come any better than the mature style purveyed by Marcus Printup, one of the finest of our times” (Mark Gardner- from the liner notes) On Printup’s previous album SCCD 31626 Bird Of Paradise JazzTimes’ George Kanzler commented, “Printup and Nash solo with more tonal and timbrel variety, sacrificing sheer velocity for expressive sounds and fewer notes. It’s a creatively fertile way to revisit Bird’s music.”

On revewing the first volume of the Kitano live recordings (SCCD 31600) Matthew Miller of allaboutjazz commented: “…. Perry once again dazzles with his facility and impeccable taste and further asserts himself as one of the most gifted saxophonists of his generation.” Matthew Miller

Gary Versace is “one of the most exciting yet sensitive performers on the Hammond B3 to emerge in recent years.” (Mark Gardner). His SteepleChase leadership debut album “Time And Again” SCCD 31572 drew attention of critic John Kelman of All About Jazz who commented, “… Time And Again is a strong debut, but Versace is capable of much more – a fact that will no doubt be revealed in good time.” No doubt indeed, here on this his second CD you will find an artist with a most original conception offering fascinating musical experiences.

Veteran tenorman from the Tristano School Ted Brown is marking his 80th birthday with the release of this CD with plenty of vitality. On his last CD “Preservation” SCCD 31539, Derek Taylor of all-about-jazz wrote, “Sitting comfortably at the controls, he demonstrates from the start that his chops haven’t eroded a bit during his long hiatus in academia … Brown is still at the top of his game."

Jazzhus Montmartre in the summer of 1965 Dexter Gordon spent most of his evenings performing at Jazzhus Montmartre packed with his loyal fans. This is the fourth volume from those unforgettable five evenings taped by the Danish Radio and made available for the broader audience for the first time by SteepleChase. “…. absolutely essential live transcriptions…” (Mark Gardner)

Following the release of his impressive SteepleChase leadership debut of 2005 (SCCD 31586 “The Brothers’ Breakfast”) young altoist Loren Stillman came back to studio with veterans Steve LaSpina and Jeff Hirschfield to launch his trio alto series with his usual ease and confidence.

SteepleChase is proud to present the first volume of quintessential Rich Perry Quartet live from New York’s newest and hottest jazz venue The Kitano Hotel on Park Avenue.

Legendary vibraphonist from Philadelphia Khan Jamal makes his rare appearance on the label with an intriguing collection of Coltrane compositions “…. the Khan Jamal Quartet proves that the music of Coltrane transfers easily to the vibraphone, and in the process is reborn anew … these collected "Impressions of Coltrane" are significant for several reasons. Above all, though, they are immensely enjoyable.” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

Since Dørge and his New Jungle Orchestra made an impressive “home coming-CD“ (Jazz Is Like A Banana SCCD 31636) last November, the orchestra has been touring extensively through the continents. The experience gave Pierre’s imaginative pen to put together “…another typical potpourri of the unexpected from a soloist, arranger, composer and band conductor beyond category. His musicians are loyal to his cause because they love his music…” (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes)

Vincent Gardner follows up his highly successful SteepleChase inaugural “Elbow Room” (SCCD 31580) - “An impressive debut as a leader” (Terrell Kent Holmes- allaboutJazz) with this exciting collections of Frank Foster /Horace Silver tunes.

“Three tenor sax players form the front line for this 18th SteepleChase jam session, and their contrasting styles ensure that no hint of sameness creeps into the proceedings. Dick Oatts, Billy Drewes and Walt Weiskopf are all individual and fluent performers who prove to be compatible playing companions.” (Mark Gardner) On previous SteepleChase Jam Session series, CD Review’s Rick Finlay wrote, “…SteepleChase’s series of jam sessions drawing together the cream of the contemporary jazz world makes a refreshing change these days.…. highly recommended.”

Pee Wee Crayton was a blues guitarist, singer and songwriter who was one of the leading figures of the West Coast blues school during the post-war decades. He was one of several blues artists who made the move from Texas to California in the Depression, and inevitably he became an associate of the pioneer of the West Coast style T-Bone Walker, but although Crayton was undoubtedly influenced by him, he developed a highly distinctive sound, playing in an aggressive style which encompassed some daring technical innovations, as well as having a somewhat contrasting smooth vocal style. Over the years, he recorded for a number of labels, scoring his biggest successes in his early years with the Modern label, as he reached the R&B Top 5 with "Blues After Hours", "Texas Hop" and "I Love You So". Other notable recordings were done later with the Imperial and Vee-Jay labels, as he sought to re-establish his chart presence in a changing market for blues as rock 'n' roll invaded the R&B charts. This great value 55-track 2-CD set primarily comprises A and B sides recorded during this period for the 4 Star, Gru-V Tone, Modern, Aladdin, RIH, Hollywood, Imperial, Post, Vee-Jay, Fox, Jamie, Guyden and Smash labels plus selected from his 1960 LP on the Modern subsidiary Crown. As such it's a solid representation of his output across his primary recording career, and an entertaining introduction to the work of an artist who has not had the recognition he deserves.

In his new album “Lookin’ Up” Dick Oatts teams up with his colleague and friend of 34 years, veteran trombonist John Mosca. Dick Oatts notes, “I’ve always liked the way alto sax and trombone blend together and I’ve always been meaning to do a CD with John but the music was never quite right for it. So I sat down over the holiday break and wrote the music around John, the alto and the trombone.” Derek Taylor of Master of a Small House describes Dick Oatts’ previous release “Two Hearts (SCCD 31694) as “testament to Oatts’ improvisatory powers”.

As the title of this new album suggests Gregory Tardy and his excellent ensemble invested their energy in evergreen standards and jazz original classics here to fulfil his musical parents’ requests. “… Not only is he arguably the most original of the band’s improvisers, he’s also the most impassioned. His lines are incisive and hard-edged. Even his most fanciful flights are purposeful. His energetic approach consistently lifts the group’s performance to a higher level….” (Chris Kelsey – JazzTimes on “Steps of Faith” SCCD 31610) “….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 ….. Tardy takes another step toward establishing himself as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation….” (Matthew Miller - AAJ on “The Truth” SCCD 31583)

Discussing this impending studio date, the indefatigable saxophonist Mats Gustafsson and intrepid vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz decided to compose new pieces for one another. The resulting tracks - which also include a hallucinogenic arrangement of "Timeless", dedicated to it's composer, the recently deceased guitarist John Abercrombie - show a markedly different side of both musicians. Quiet, at times tender, this meeting of like-minded musicians evoked a new kind of tension, not one birthed out of screams and wallops, but instead one marshaling the power of restraint. Gustafsson's work with groups like The Thing and Fire! Orchestra have made him one of the most renowned figures in contemporary energy music, and Adasiewicz's joyous noise in his own bands and with Peter Br�tzmann, Rob Mazurek, and many others have likewise earned him top status in the pantheon of today's free musicians. On Timeless, they explore low dynamics, static soundscape, and melodic lyricism, infused with passion and intellect. One track features the wooden-keyed African balafon, coaxing a buoyant response on alto from Gustafsson, while their mutual boyhood love of highly select fusion records provided an unforeseen jumping off point for the whole record. On the cover, a painting by Charline von Heyl; across the interior, a photo portrait of the musicians. Personnel: Mats Gustafsson - alto, tenor and baritone saxophones; Jason Adasiewicz - vibraphone and balafon. Recorded October 1, 2017, by Alex Inglizian at Experimental Sound Studio, Chicago.

Japanese 24-bit remastered pressing. Disk Union. 2017.

SteepleChase LookOut’s new recording artist Joe Manis (saxophone) has originally established himself in Northwest – Oregon, though his active performing career reaches East Coast of USA and European cities as well. Manis’ SteepleChase LookOut debut album features pianist /organist George Colligan, who currently resides in Portland, Oregon. Manis finds in this organ trio the ideal stage to displays his intense yet sophisticated music. Manis is the recipient of 2013 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship.

Harold Danko concludes his liner notes entitled “Arriving at The Unknown” on this “Triple Play” album, stating, “I hope … listeners of this CD are prepared to join us as we take off to undiscovered region.” Ever subtle and transcendent pianist/composer Danko and his congenial co-players Jay Anderson and Jeff Hirshfield are unfolding a unique universe of improvising in and on the recognizable repertoire to pleasant surprises. “Danko plays with the kind of finesse and heartfelt emotion that has always marked his work. Bravo! (C. Andrew Hovan – AAJ on SCCD 31471 This Isn’t Maybe…)

This thrilling live album unveils the Norwegian/Swedish/Scottish bass/tenor sax/drums trio of one of ECM's longest-serving recording artists (this is his 38th year on the label). The veteran bassist's most exciting group to date features prize-winning tourist Tommy Smith and drummer Paolo Vinaccia in a programme that embraces hot post-bop playing, strong compositions, beautiful balladry and fiery improvising. Ask your rep for an Andersen listing, or try Selected Recordings.

Vic Juris’ new album “Blue” is heavily focused on ballads, which Vic’s signature fluid sound backed up by his mature artistry fits perfectly. One of today’s premier jazz guitarists Vic Juris has been active on the scene for over four decades amassing an impressive discography. “Vic Juris is a versatile and impressively accomplished guitarist. His playing exudes warmth, intelligence and respect for the tradition. Perhaps best of all, he seems to understand that the foregoing positives also apply to a legion of contemporary guitarists, and he looks for ways to set his work apart, in terms of sound, approach, or material. “ (Duck Baker – JazzTimes on “Remembering Eric Dolphy” SCCD 31453)