For this latest and the fifth album on SteepleChase Ronnie Cuber brought his working band to the studio to appraise the classic BeBop repertoire, “proving in the process the viability of material that has weathered more than 60 years and still sounds super hip and contemporary” (Mark Gardner). On Cuber’s previous release “RONNIE (SCCD 31680) Ken Drydon of AllAboutJazz wrote, “This is his fourth CD for Steeplechase and one of his best sessions.” and London’s Sunday Express commented, “it is the intelligence and subtlety of his playing that shines through …An astonishingly lyrical player on that most unforgiving of instruments…” “Ronnie Cuber is a baritone sax player strong enough to bring out the lyricism of the weighty instrument.” (Aaron Cohen – Downbeat)

After revisiting New Orleans airs, swing, gypsy, contemporary, jazz, and classical music, Jean-Francois Foliez unveils here a first album with a powerhouse quartet. Alongside pianist Casimir Liberski, back from a long stay in New York where he deepened his playing alongside musicians such as Ornette Coleman and Brad Mehldau, we find the solid rhythm section of Janos Bruneel on double bass and Xavier Roge on drums, bringing energy and precision to the arrangements. Born in 1984, Jean-Francois Foliez began his studies at 4 years old. At 16 he began playing tenor saxophone with the big band of Liege. He has studied at the Royal Conservatory of Liege, as well as with artists such as Jean-Pierre Peuvion and Benjamin Dietels.

Saxophonist/composer Gregory Tardy’s latest album reunites him with pianist George Colligan whom Tardy has collaborated on a number of remarkable recordings. Since his return to the active performing scene a couple of years ago Gregory Tardy is today a full time member of the elite jazz circle. “He sounds as if he’s physically wresting new possibilities and beauty from an earthbound, rock-encrusted framework. … It’s moments such as these that invoke the combination of faith-infused yearning and hard-won triumph that is at the heart of the best spiritually inspired improvisational music.” (Carlo Wolff of JazzTimes on Strongest Love” SCCD 31698)

The legendary baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber is, as Bill Milkowski of JazzTimes observes, “ still very much on top of his game at age 70”. One summer night of the famed Berlin JazzFest of 2008 finds Ronnie and his group in a relaxed and joyous mood backed by the responsive and enthusiastic audience. “An astonishingly lyrical player on that most unforgiving of instruments … It is the intelligence and subtlety of his playing that shines through…” (Sunday Express UK on Ronnie SCCD 31680) “…while Cuber’s ability to blow over the changes remains unquestioned, it’s his restrained approach and melodic penchant…… that come as a welcome surprise. We all knew Cuber could wail with unparalleled authority, we just didn’t know he could sing so pretty on his big horn.” (Bill Milkowski – JazzTimes on Boplicity SCCD 31734)

Bassist/composer Scott Lee has been leading a group of close musical friends and associates, including the three creative sidemen on this session, to experiment in different forms and with new ways of improvising at intensive workshop sessions for the past decade in New York. Bill Smith of JazzTimes comments on Lee’s previous release “One Thought” (SCCD 31649),”Leader and bassist Scott Lee offers simple yet thought-provoking music on the aptly titled One Thought… . Those who feel that jazz is losing its creative edge should hear this album and other basically mainstream offerings of the last few years.”

LIVE AT THE PALLADIUM - NEW YORK CITY 1951

Andy LaVerne, prolific composer, prominent educator and resourceful recording artist of five decades’ experience, is putting a new quintet together here to interpret his timeless compositions. The liner notes by the composer give us an intriguing insight into the working of a creative mind. “…. if you want to learn more about Andy LaVerne, this is a wonderful material with lyricism, musical intensity and well perceived format.” (O. Mathiesen – JazzSpecial on SCCD 31818 “Genesis”)

SteepleChase´ on-going jam session series is recognized by critics and public as a dynamic reflection of contemporary jazz scene.

Classical Music

SteepleChase’ on going jam session series finds here the classic format for a jam in three tenors. Ken Dryden of allaboutjazz commented on Vol. 17 and 18: “…SteepleChase producer Nils Winther’s interest in documenting spontaneous meeting of talented musicians deserves praise…”

On this second leader album for SteepleChase pianist/composer/educator Joel Weiskopf reunites his working band from the 80s which performed on fairly regular basis in and around Boston area. His “old band” sounds even greater here exploring the repertoire consisting mostly of Weiskopf’s newer challenging compositions. “A deeply personal musical statement.” (Brian Zimmerman – DownBeat **** on Where Angels Fear To Tread SCCD 31813) “Where Angeles Fear To Tread is highly recommended for the excellence of Weiskopf’s writing, smart ensemble work, and three first-rate soloists.” (David A Othmann on SCCD 31813)

Teddy Wilson - All The Hits And More 1935-39 Teddy Wilson is often referred to as the definitive swing pianist, stylish, elegant and technically and artistically brilliant, and adept in any setting, be it solo, small bands or orchestras, as a leader or sideman. He was renowned as one of the most sensitive and sought-after accompanists, especially by female vocalists of the day, and is particularly celebrated for his work with Billie Holiday. In the era before the introduction of the Billboard charts in 1940, Joel Whitburn's respected book "Pop Memories 1890-1954", which lists artists hits based on various sources, and also the Your Hit Parade chart published by the popular radio show, are treated as the most reliable guides as to what were "hits". This 47-track 2-CD collection comprises all Teddy Wilson's 38 career hits based on those sources under his own name, along with selected A & B sides from this era. It Includes the No. 1 hits "Carelessly" and "You Can't Stop Me From Dreaming", and other Top 3 hits with "The Way You Look Tonight", "Pennies From Heaven" "There's A Lull In My Life" and "Remember Me". It includes performances by featured vocalists Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Ward, Red Harper and others, and recordings with major jazz names likes Roy Eldridge, Lionel Hampton, Ben Webster, Cootie Williams, Harry Carney, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Cozy Cole, Harry James, Buck Clayton and more, featured in his ensembles. Looking at his career from a particular angle, his hits, it's a great showcase for an important and influential artist.

Classical Music

‘Lady of the Forest’ is established Israeli singer and known backing vocalist for Avishai Cohen’s ‘Aurora’ and ‘Seven Seas’. Karen Malka shares with us a new approach. This album also features one track written and performed by Avishai Cohen. Karen Malka is one of Israel’s leading singer songwriters. Her formal training began at the age of 19 with various teachers, but she acquired most of her knowledge from the numerous musicians she’s co-operated with along the way, honing her skills in various styles including jazz, folk and soul. Lady of the Forest is Karen’s debut solo album. Some songs were written years before recording, “like seeds waiting underground to sprout”, as she puts it. The instrumental piece, for instance, was written when Karen was 18 and came about during sessions at home, suddenly carrying a whole new meaning. “Come with me”, another track, that came relatively late in the process, is based on a prayer, originally forty pages long, written by Meir Yanay. Karen copied the first few stanzas on a piece of paper and carried it in her purse for years; on the second day of rehearsing for this recording, she found that same piece of paper, which had been lying around the piano for several days, waiting. She wrote music to it that very night.

Thelonious Monk was one of the most innovative and influential of the pioneering bebop pianists and composers with a uniquely distinctive and idiosyncratic style characterised by an angular, percussive and occasionally dissonant approach. He came to the fore in the 1940s, so when the era of the vinyl long-playing album dawned in the 1950s, he was ideally placed to take advantage of it. This 38-track 2-CD collection comprises the titles from his first 10" LPs on Blue Note and Prestige. The first two on Blue Note, ", "Genius Of Modern Music Vols. 1 & 2", combine titles from sessions in the late '40s which were released as singles with some from 1951 sessions, while the Prestige titles from the albums "Thelonious", "Thelonious Monk Quintet Blows for LP", "Thelonious Monk Quintet" and "Thelonious Monk Plays", were conceived as album projects, featuring extended performances, for which dedicate sessions were done from 1952 through to 1954. We also include bonus titles from a solo session in Paris in 1954. It features performances in the various Trio, Quartet, Quintet and Sextet line-ups with noted musicians of the day, including Gene Ramey, Milt Jackson, Sonny Rollins, Gary Mapp, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Percy Heath, Al McKibbon, Ray Copeland, Frank Foster, Curley Russell and more. It's a set which captures one of the true greats of the genre at a key period of his career.

The Messengers expanded to a sextet with the addition of Curtis Fuller in 1961 and went into their most fruitful period. This Copenhagen live concert from 1962 could be arguably “the best edition of the Jazz Messengers ever” as liner-note author Neil Tesser suggests. Hubbart, Shorter and Fuller on the front line flexing their young muscles were all on their way to stardom. Recorded during their 1962’s European tour this album with all unissued recordings will be a valuable addition to Messengers’ legacy.

Ella Fitzgerald in Copenhagen April 1959 was said to be still shy at age 42 and still modest after the 25 years of downright success reign as “Queen of Jazz”. The third volume of “In Concert” series features Ella’s quintet. Roy Eldridge, Swing Era’s greatest trumpeter, opens the program with two tracks. The live recording of this concert in Copenhagen has been essentially unknown for half a century. We are happy to add this release to Ella Fitzgerald’s legacy of supreme vocal art of American jazz.

SteepleChase’ 50th anniversary “In Concert” series continues with Gerry Mulligan’s famed Concert Jazz Band from October 31, 1960 at its first concert in Europe. The Concert Jazz Band’s unique arrangements and its trademark sound of translucency are restored by the modern sound technology. The Concert Jazz Band’s live performance from their European tour have been released before except this from Copenhagen and Berlin. The Django Reinhardt piece Manoir de mes Rêves and Mulligan’s 18 Carrots for Rabbit get rare performance here.

SteepleChase is proud to announce the inaugural release of the “In Concert” series of previously unissued live recordings from Falkoner Centret in Copenhagen, where numerous prominent American bands and soloists performed for the very appreciative audiences in the late 50s. The Swing King Benny Goodman (1909-86) toured Europe in 1959 with his 10-piece band featuring vibraphonist Red Norvo and adding vocalist Anita O’Day on two tracks. This well-attended concert is from October 17, 1959. BENNY GOODMAN (cl), RED NORVO (vib), RUSS FREEMAN (p), JIMMY WYBLE (g), RED WOOTEN (b), JOHN MARKHAM (dr), JACK SHELDON (tp, voc*). FLIP PHILLIPS (ts), JERRY DODGION (as, fl), BILL HARRIS (tb), ANITA O’DAY (voc*)

HITS COLLECTION 1924-32

KING OF JAZZ ACCORDION: FIVE EARLY ALBUMS 1947-54

Trio X is one of Sweden's premier improvisation groups. Trion's distinctive character is exploratory and cross-border music, and the experienced musicians are inspired by many genres. Lennart Simonsson, Per V. Johansson and Joakim Ekberg started their collaboration in 2002 and have since then recorded several albums, collaborated with several well-known artists, toured in Sweden and abroad. Trio X is a versatile ensemble and works in the county music with many different projects. Gigs at jazz clubs, concert halls and big festivals are being played with concerts in classrooms and in care and care. The musicians also act as inspiration sources and teachers to amateur groups. Trion has a number of estimated productions aimed at children and adolescents and has had a perennial collaboration with the composer Per Egland in creative school. This new release features improvisations as well as original compositions and compositions of contemporary musicians who frequently partner with the ensemble.

Dexter Gordon’s European period (1962–1976) was mostly based in his beloved Denmark, where he led an active professional career and enjoyed a harmonious private life. Arriving in Europe after some turbulent times in the States he found new energy in performing and recording to build a large part of his discography at the top of his artistic strength. The recording output, however, during 1962 and 1964 was scarse and this album recorded in 1962 and 63 will be an adept document of the fresh start by the Towering Master of Tenor Sax. “The star billing, as always, goes to one of jazz’s master storytellers, Dexter Gordon; the performances contained here, which set the scene for the dramatic renaissance of his career, fill in one of the long missing chapters.” (from the liner notes by Neil Tesser - SCCD 36039 Soul Sister)

"Music must be a personal expression of one's own world and way of life. When everything else gets to be a drag, there is music for forgetfulness and also for memory and for a reminder that there is more good than bad in most things." (Moore in an interview with Ralph J. Gleason in 1956) Danish Radio’s concert of October and TV recording in Malmø, Sweden in November 1961 make this album, an important addition to Moore’s discography and a reminder of a genius whose life ended too prematurely.

The leader of this captivating debut album, Yoko Yates is the celebrated composer of the soundtrack for the award-winning documentary film Mothers’ Way, Daughters’ Choice filmed in NYC. Yoko Yates pianist/composer/educator grew up in Hokkaido, Japan, the northernmost island where the vast ancient and ingenious nature is still intact. Yates’ compositional style and ideas are hugely influenced and inspired by her formative years surrounded by this unique environment. Graduating from Berklee with a B.A. in music, summa cum laude, she went on to receive a Master’s degree in education from Lesley University in Cambridge (MA). She furthered her studies at Columbia University, Teachers College (NY) for doctoral study in music education. While being a member of the piano faculty at Greenwich House Music School in Manhattan and at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music since 1996, Yoko has maintained a performing career as a pianist and sometimes as a vocalist, and has been particularly active as a composer. “Yoko Yates’ finely crafted original compositions shine brightly with beautiful performances by all. This is a noteworthy first CD.” (Scott Lee - producer) “Yoko’s music is imaginative, fun, beautiful and natural. It incorporates a variety of genres and has an emotional depth that hits my heart. Her unique style appeals not only to jazz enthusiasts but to a broader audience”. (David Gahan - lead vocal Depeche Mode, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2020 “Going beyond what words can express”. (Kyoko Gasha - documentary film director and Reuters journalist)