Vic Juris has added another guitar trio masterpiece here on his ever-growing body of recorded works. Since his SteepleChase debut album “Night Tripper” SCCD 31353 of 1994, guitarist Vic Juris has been presenting unique musical universe of unassuming virtuosity and versatility, of which John Kelman of AllAboutJazz once pertinently described as “fresh, in-the-moment and connected to the broadest possible tradition.” “Vic Plays Victor Young is a sensitive melodically exploratory album of standards and rarely covered airs, as should be expected from a seasoned ensemble with a compatible repertoire.” (Howard Mandel – DownBeat **** on SCCD 31829)

It is not uncommon in improvisational music to see the melody primarily as a point of departure for musicians' solos. But obviously, melodies have a power of their own. Playing a melody, letting it shine it it's own right, takes skills. These skills are featured on this album. The quartet, Elisabeth Lid Tr�en (saxophone and flute), Dag Arnesen (piano), Ole Marius Sandberg (bass), and Sigurd Steinkopf (drums), consistently demonstrates a number of melodic strategies to highly different results. The compositions establish melodic material, often lyrical, but even more important is how the musicians seamlessly moves from melodies to improvisation and back again, insisting on the melodies to carry the output. On "Flirt" there is an echo of folk music, together with an ostinato. It is not folkloristic, but use a lyricism also found in folk music, giving the musicians a sense of direction. Something similar is heard on "Partysvensken," but in addition the latter works with layers of instruments. The piano drops out during parts of the saxophone solo, then gradually reenters with tiny figures and counter-lines; the bass and drums disappear, and the piano figures become more embellished, highlighting how the quartet co-create the collective sound rather than focusing on individual musicians. "Just Thinking" is, in a sense, a daring composition. The melodic material could, in less accomplished musicians' hands, have been banal, but given the strong explorations of melody the song still works. "Sarah's Bounce" begins march-like, and the drums drive much of the dynamic dimensions of the composition. In addition to dynamics, Steinkopf demonstrates that drummers also can have a melodic approach. "Denne" sounds almost nocturnal, as a reflection upon a long day. Melodic development and chords belong together, but at the same time establish contrasting dimensions. Throughout the album, then, we as listeners is given a master-class in melodic thinking

A strong and unique collaboration between two of America's greatest jazz heroes and two of Denmark's young, new talents. The group, consisting of Eric Reed, Ralph Moore, Andreas Svendsen and Matthias Petri has existed since 2015, and is now ready to release the album Prism on Nov. 22nd. Eric Reed is one of America's most famous pianists. With his strong roots in gospel traditions, he is recognized for his natural approach to music, and is described as a rare talent on his instrument. He is probably best known for his work with world-renowned trumpet player Wynton Marsalis, for whom he was a pianist from 1990. Since then he has recorded numerous albums both in his own name but also for other artists. The group's saxophonist Ralph Moore, originally English, left the American jazz scene desolate for aspiring saxophonists as he played with practically everyone on the US Jazz scene, shortly after arriving in the United States. As the second half of the group's massive rhythm battery, we find Denmark's is arguably best young drummer Andreas Svendsen. Andreas is sought after on both the Danish and international jazz scene as well as the Danish pop scene. Last but not least we have Matthias Petri - One of the most sought-after bassists in Denmark, who has quietly built a solid reputation since moving to Copenhagen in 2010. Prism is a direct and uncompromising jazz release featuring 10 compositions performed by the members of the group. These compositions are exposed here to both cultural and generational differences, which rounds them off and moves the entire collaboration into a higher unity.

SteepleChase’ 1973 release Birdtown Birds (SCCD 31003) by Joe Albany trio recorded live at Copenhagen’s famous Jazzhus Montmartre took the world’s jazz fans who have all but forgotten about this bebop piano legend by surprise. Joe Albany not only existed but still performed with vigor and authority. Albany concluded his engagement at Montmartre with solo recital which is presented here following the first volume SCCD 31794. “…In this previously unreleased solo set, recorded in 1973, the ideas come tumbling out so copiously that they sometimes fall over one another - but they’re all his own ideas and there’s nothing glib about them. He was a genuine original.” (Dave Gellt – The Guardian) “…this is a rare glimpse of Albany, and it may appeal both to completists and general listeners.” (Andy Boeckstaens – London Jazz News)

Trumpeter/composer Jason Palmer, whom Mark Gardner aptly described as one of the foremost brass players of his generation, has investigated the works by or associated with the legendary singer Minnie Riperton for this his latest album where pop merged with jazz in a most creative way. Jason’s previous release “Here Today” (SCCD 31724) received 4½ stars in DownBeat. Its reviewer Jon Ross remarks, “…Palmer has created an album of lengthy intriguing compositions that are full of engaging extras…Palmer is an exciting player…”

Pianist Peter Zak has in a relatively short time since his arrival at the NY jazz scene firmly established himself as “a top-flight modern mainstream player who appears regularly with respected artists …” (Joel Roberts –AAJ) On this his eighth album Peter Zak continues his ever-evolving approach to piano trio jazz. “….The surfaces of his music seem conventional until you notice how imaginatively his improvisations are developed, and how intelligently they tie. Zak invariably comes upon lovely notes you never anticipated.” (Thomas Conrad AAJ on “Seed of Sin” SCCD 31641)

Before he was a noted composer of such shows as Little Me, Sweet Charity, Barnum and On the Twentieth Century, Cy Coleman was the favorite of the New York cabaret and supper club scene. Now, for the first time, Cy and his fellow musicians play the scores of Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg’s hit show Jamaica in addition to songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein hits Flower Drum Song and South Pacific. The works from the latter production have been taken from rare transcription recordings, and are making their first debuts since being recorded in the early 1950s. While listening to this jazzy album, think of yourself sipping a Manhattan cocktail or a martini at the Shelburne or Park Sheraton hotels’ club while Cy Coleman and his fellow musicians regale you with a bevy of Broadway blockbuster tunes. It’s ‘50s jazz at its finest.

Denmark’s successful trio co-led by bassist Lennart Ginman and drummer Thomas Blachman invited Stephen Riley to be featured at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in the summer of 2010. Following a series of well-received live concerts at the Festival Riley, the American rising star on tenor, and the popular trio cut this brilliant album. “… His lushly-conceived tone and phrasing are instantly recognizable….” (Derek Taylor)

Trombonist/arranger/bandleader Vincent Gardner compiles the second chapter to follow the successful The Good Book Chapter One (SCCD 31616) which prompted Andrew Hovan of All About Jazz to comment; “... trombonist Vincent Gardner is a very likely candidate for the category of talent seeing of wider recognition… This, of course, elevates the recital beyond your typical tribute album and bodes well for Gardner’s further development as an individual with something important to say.”

Bob James' first "best-of" gets the job done right: 2 CDs with 27 tracks from 17 albums spanning more than 25 years! Disc one includes his 1974 hit Feel Like Making Love; his famous Taxi theme, Angela; funky, much-sampled tracks like Westchester Lady and Night Crawler, and more. Disc two features his collaborations with David Sanborn, Earl Klugh, Grover Washington, Jr. And many others. Pianist-composer Bob James has been a mainstay on the contemporary jazz scene from the early '70s to today. His bell-like electric piano sound made him a radio favorite and a Grammy Award winner. This two-CD set contains James's greatest hits. There are the hip-hop sampled, snappy CTI label smashes like "Nautilus" and "Westchester Lady," as well as the plaintive "Touchdown" and the popular "Angela (The Theme from Taxi)" from his Columbia Records days. But there's also "Hockney" and the classical work, "Farandole," which showcase his beautiful acoustic jazz piano sound and his overlooked arranging skills. This compendium includes a multitude of sideman and collaborators, including Hubert Laws, Jon Faddis, Earl Klugh, Ron Carter, and David Sanborn. "Brighton by the Sea" with Grover Washington Jr. (originally appearing on James's H album), is rhythmically revamped with a zesty 21st-century drum & bass remix, showing that the music of Bob James is melodic, moving, and modern.

Highly respected drummer and prolific composer Bobby Previte continues his Terminals trilogy with Rhapsody, a song cycle on the subject of transit and migration. Subtitled In Transit: Terminals II, Previte's newest work was scored for acoustic sextet and features fellow composerimprovisers in guitarist Nels Cline, harpist Zeena Parkins, pianist John Medeski, vocalist, alto saxophonist Fabian Rucker and vocalist-erhu player Jen Shyu. This latest major work, released on RareNoise Records in February 2018, comes on the heels of Previte's powerful prior RareNoise release, Mass, a nine-part work scored for choir, pip organ and heavy metal trio. Rhapsody was commissioned by the Greenfield Prize at the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Florida and had it's world premiere on April 21, 2017 at New College in Sarasota.

Peter Zak has chosen for this his sixth album a quartet format for the first time. Saxophonist Walt Weiskopf who works regularly with Peter Zak enhances Zak’s imaginative and intelligent approach to music. Karla Cornejo Villavicencio wrote for AllAboutJazz-NY, “For Tomorrow (SCCD 31592) is chameleonic to the point of being startling. It is organic and tight, with no loose chords and no loose strings. It's the sort of satisfaction for pure spontaneity that setting your iPod on shuffle would never justly accomplish. You find yourself tapping your foot long after the last note is played, and the resonance is as striking as the music.”

Reissue of 2000 album from the jazz quartet. Includes bonus tracks. With Gold & Platinum albums and being named Best Group at the First Annual Smooth Jazz Awards in 2000, Fourplay is a certified NAC and jazz supergroup. Featuring four of the most popular and respected players on the scene - keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Larry Carlton, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason. The album features the live favorite 'Blues Force', along with the popular 'Free Range' and bonus track 'Meowww'.

Walrath calls this his first in 26 years on this label “Ballroom”, “…it’s swinging and you can dance to it..”… The way how jazz started. “Welcome back, Jack, to SteepleChase! It’s a terrific return, and listeners will want many more entries from this singular talent…” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

Iva Bittova newest release with the Prague Philharmonia is a sweeping and sonically ample project featuring older and newer compositions from Bittova's repertoire arranged for symphony orchestra. These include pieces created in tandem with Pavel Fajt (Periny/Feather Duvets), Vladimir Vaclavek (Zvon/The Bell, Uspavanka/Lullaby, Sirka v louzi/A Match in a Puddle, Zeleny venecek/Green Wreath), with the bands Dunaj (V cernem/In Black) and Cikori (Zapiskej/Whistle), works within her solo projects (Paraskeva, Elida), as well as a new piece (Vetvicka/Twig).

Reissue of 1998 album including bonus tracks. 4�is the fourth studio album by Fourplay, released in 1998. This is their first album with guitarist Larry Carlton. 4 contains a number of Fourplay's finest moments such as 'Still The One', their remake of Marvin Gaye's 'Sexual Healing' featuring El Debarge on vocals, the wonderful Brazillian influenced track 'Rio Rush', and 'Charmed, I'm Sure'. Includes the bonus track 'Out Of Body'

Anu Sun aka Anu The Giant works closely with Robert Glasper: first on the acclaimed Black Radio Project, and further on the Miles Ahead soundtrack and the recent Johnny Cash release Forever Words, where he and Robert wrote the music to a Cash poem Going Going Gone. After three years of work he is ready to release Sanguine Regum, self described as a genre merging album that is 'progressive adult contemporary - the maturation of Hip-Hop and jazz ' The album has a distinct solo-political slant with a positive outcome, celebrating the accomplishments of Black artists in today's world. The title means 'Blood Of Kings', and the album features guests Robert Glasper, Casey Benjamin, Alex Han, Maurice Brown, Tone Whitfield, and many more.

2019 release. Drummer Shannon Powell stands tall in the lineage of New Orleans' rhythmic giants; he is a torchbearer of the city's culture and one of the finest drummers in the world. He's also a great singer, his vocals invoking styles that echo the churches, street parades and jazz clubs of his hometown. Darren Hoffman is a multi-instrumentalist and music producer originally from Miami, Florida. On Love Songs, we find Powell and Hoffman stretching out, but not relaxing at all. The mood is highly charged and powerful, with Powell hitting hard and Hoffman shredding like a chainsaw on razor wire. There are some subtle love songs on Love Songs, but many tracks that speak to the full experience of love - the energy, the tension, the elation and the agony. Classic tracks are included to keep the concept in context with originals both fun and frenzied mixed in.

Reissue. This unique, 22-song reissue is a trove of the rarest songs from Herb Alpert's vast catalog, chosen by the man himself! Relish the covers of iconic songs, alternate takes, and recordings not found on previous Tijuana Brass albums. Presented with the restored original artwork, this album is a must-have gem for every fan's collection. So, get ready for adventure and come along with Herb on a journey through his Lost Treasures.

2018 release. If you have internet access you've probably seen Brockett Parsons navigating the Brock360; the 288 key circular keyboard that debuted in Lady Gaga's Super Bowl performance. Just a glimpse gives the hint that the man is tuned in to a vast array of transcendent sounds and rhythms. Trained in Jazz, Parsons caught the ear and eye of Sean Combs; he toured the world with Diddy's band and performed with many others including Talib Kweli, Taylor McFerrin, and Guru before picking up his current gig with Lady Gaga. And now, it is with great pleasure that we announce Brockett's debut album via our family imprint Modern Icon Recordings. Brockettship is a stunning collection of compositions, exploring all of Parson's diverse musical interest and filtered through the unique production ear of Adrian Harpham. Oh, and there are guests; Peter Gunz, Mononeon, James Genus, Seamus Blake to name but a few.

On his 2018 album, Music Volume 3 - Herb Alpert Reimagines The Tijuana Brass, the beloved and prolific trumpeter Herb Alpert returns to some of his most iconic songs and transforms them with brand new arrangements, recordings, and modern production. Alpert takes material he made famous in the 1960s and infuses it with the style and musicianship that is still earning him accolades after decades of recording and performing. Get ready to hear "A Taste Of Honey", "Whipped Cream", "The Lonely Bull", and many more as you've never heard them before!

Austin-based pianist, composer, singer and producer, Sean Michael Giddings has had a wide-ranging career since moving through the University of North Texas 1:00 Lab Band a decade ago. Tours with pop icon Christopher Cross, country star Pat Green, or virtuoso guitarist Eric Johnson, offer a deep musical well to draw from when expressing his own songwriting voice or with this, his debut piano trio album. His compositions and musical touch evoke major influences such as Vince Guaraldi, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau, while the central Texas setting of his home recording studio, with his childhood Baldwin baby grand, add a patient, comfortable embrace to the session. With the calypso-esque "Sebastian," or the '70s Jarrett-influenced "First Cup," bassist Sam Pankey and drummer Daniel Dufour propel and support, while the moving ballad, "In the Light of the Unfinished Moon," personifies the sound of deep musical connection.

Saxophonist Carlos Vega's band crackles... crafty arrangements, spirited group interplay, and ear-grabbing freshness and spontaneity in their soloing. - All About Jazz. Chicago-based tenor saxophonist Carlos Vega taps into the energy of the hard bop movement of the late 50s, with this quintet session that channels the vision of Art Blakey's iconic Jazz Messengers. Filtering Blakey's forward thrusting style through his Puerto Rican heritage and extensive time spent with latin and salsa bands in his native Miami, Vega's concept reveals itself on the driving opening cut, "Art of the Messenger." Propelled by the powerful rhythms of drummer Xavier Breaker, bassist Josh Ramos and pianist Stu Mineman anchor the quintet throughout the session, with trumpeter Victor Garcia joining Vega on this formidable front line. Subsequently, Vega turns this hard bop powerhouse on it's collective ear with "Bird's Word," a rousing latin jazz homage to Charlie Parker. Vega's take on the hard bop lineage incorporates stops in Chicago and Miami, allowing his mentors to clearly speak through his work. His take on the lexicon through these eleven originals is in no way nostalgic, but expressively looking forward through the lens of personal history.

Composer and saxophonist Nicola Alesini is one of the most prominent new sounders in the rhythms and melodies of the Mediterranean tradition. In his music, always open to the whole universe of the language of art, there is a meeting and mingling of jazz and popular music, ambient and world music. Visionary, magical, and suggestive are the stylistic figures of his compositions and his sometimes lyrical, sometimes scratching phrasing. He has worked with musicians such as Glen Velez, Hans Joachim Roedelius, David Sylvian, Roger Eno, David Thorn, Harold Budd, Steve Jansen, and Richard Barbieri. This new release is a concept album based on the book “Invisible Cities” by Italo Calvino, and is a journey in the imagination of the composer where “impressions” and “memories” become sound. A symphony of saxophones, popular clarinet, bass clarinet, and keyboards is heard here. “Totally unreal places, wonderfully without time nor space. And, once again, packed with music that knows how to scratch the soul with velvet nails.”

New York-based drummer/composer Greg Germann has spent the better part of the last 2 decades touring the world with Broadway shows, and then making his mark as a Telly Award winning film composer, utilizing his background in classical percussion and jazz to guide his hand. With encouragement from an important mentor, drummer Clarence Penn, Greg turned his attention to documenting a collection of his wide-ranging compositions for modern jazz quartet. With Penn producing, they pulled together a group of supreme improvisors including saxophonist Donny McCaslin, pianist Luis Perdomo and bassist Yasushi Nakamura to tackle Germann's rhythmically expansive & melodically rich works. Recorded in November of 2020, the compositions present a dynamic view of life during the Covid-19 pandemic. From the relentless post-bop opener, "Rush Hour," to the reflective "Quarantine," Tales of Time is Germann's calling card for jazz fans worldwide.