She's the Poem is a series of ten poetic portraits varying from someone you could run into on the streets to an icon like Frida Kahlo. It's an ode to realness: the beautiful and the ugly, raw and unpolished. With this album, Sara Bax shows she is a composer and musician, but mostly feels like an artist through music. She wants to take you to the centre of being, she wants to make you feel the sparkles of magic that flow right there. If you put your head under water, your thoughts go still. Just like when you listen to this band. Bax utilises the power of every band member so, that the group together sounds like a single strong organ that paints the air with a rich color palette.

On his latest album New Doors, internationally successful Viennese jazz violinist Rudi Berger connects the three worlds that have profoundly shaped him since his beginnings: the Vienna-Brazil-New York axis has provided the virtuoso with a multitude of musical companions, such as Brazilian guitarists Toninho Horta and Fabiano Chagas; fellow Brazilians Mauro Rodrigues (flute) and Oswaldo Amorim (bass); Austrians Bernhard Wiesinger (saxophone), Markus Pechmann (trumpet), and Clemens Hofer (trombone); New York pianist Peter Madsen; and British guitarist John Arman. These musicians and many more join Rudi Berger on original compositions like "I Remember Chick", "Other Side", "New Doors", and "Walk On Joe", as well as on well-known hits such as "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", "Brigas Nunca Mais", and "Georgia On My Mind". They support him with groovy rhythms, swinging harmonies, unpretentious virtuosity, and maximum joy in playing.

Another SteepleChase debut album here by Japanese-born “so cute, so bad” B-3 organist Akiko Tsuruga who hails from Osaka, Japan’s second largest city brimming with vitality and keen sense of good life. With her working group including husband trumpeter Joe Magnarelli Akiko leaps out with electrifying energy and at the same time displays her knack for elegant phrasing. “Tsuruga wraps her own personality around our expectations, bringing out signature ideals of her instrument” (Dan Bilawsky – AAJ)

SteepleChase’s deep and expansive catalog of bassists including Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Sam Jones, Ron McClure, Jay Anderson just to mention a few welcomes here a up-and-coming double bass talent Jamale Davis, who has been active on NYC/NJ scene in the last decade. An autodidact, firmly rooted and nourished in the acoustic gut-string bass tradition, Jamale Davis leads his working band to showcase his passionate input in carrying the torch for bebop into the 21st century.

SteepleChase kicks off 2024 with the new recording by Dave Pietro, New York scene’s hugely in-demand alto saxophonist/composer/educator whose pure personal voice is noted as “one of the most appealing alto sounds in jazz” (Chuck Berg - JazzTimes). On this his debut album for the label Pietro put together a gripping selection of tunes new and old including an adaptation of Mahler’s adagietto from 5th symphony executed by Pietro’s hand-picked group with limitless creativity.

Vice Versa was created out of the need of Belgian pianist Bram de Looze's (LABtrio, Joey Baron, Thomas Morgan, Hank Roberts) to collaborate with artists who he feels are natural extensions to his sound. He quickly found kindred spirits in New York master drummer Eric McPherson (Jackie McLean, Andrew Hill, Pharoah Sanders, Fred Hersch) and Berlin bassist Felix Henkelhausen (Jim Black, Nate Wooley, Lotte Anker), two compositional masterminds with a boundless sense of rhythmic inventiveness. The versatile and exploratory trio sets the bar for expressive interpretation and inventive creativity high. They traverse different approaches in which musical rules change without losing momentum. This leads to an interesting musical synthesis where the spirit of traditional jazz language emerges during intuitive musical excursions within free improvisation and contemporary music. Their debut album 'Vice Versa' came out in 2023 on Dox Records to great acclaim. In January of 2025, while Bram de Looze was the Artist in Residence at Brussels Jazz Festival in Flagey, they recorded their second album live on stage, witnessed by a sold out Studio 1. This album will be released by Challenge Records (NL) in February of 2026.

Ensuing the highly acclaimed Waiting For The Next Trane (SCCD 33115 on SteepleChase LookOut in 2014, one of NY’s most sought-after bassists Brusger assembled his new quintet with Erik Alexander and Steve Davis to present this invigorating new album which showcases Brusger’s penchant for hardbop tradition as composer and performer. “Brusger has rock-solid time, accurate intonation and formidable technique, all of which serve him well throughout the straight-ahead-set.” (Jim Ferguson – JazzTimes)

Trillium is Harold Danko’s third album to extract source materials from Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, arguably one of the most influential music of the 20th century. Danko then let this unique trio with Perry (tenor saxophone) and Knuffke (cornet) execute the compositions to perfection. “The beauty of listening to this recording is detecting how Danko has incorporated snippets of Stravinsky’s masterpiece into his equally striking compositions.” Ken Dryden – NYCJR on Rite Notes SCCD31931)

Critics have been paying keen attention to Rich Perry’s past three albums where the leader takes the centre role both as performer and composer. Dusty Groove remarked on his last release Everything Happens, “Perry is one of those secret heroes in jazz – an artist who just seems to get better and better over the years, both as a writer and soloist.” The new album here takes strength from the past endeavour and moves towards a more advanced state. Isn’t this a definition of “Progression”?

In a time when musical genres are constantly in dialogue with one another, Standard - No Standard proves that the jazz tradition is not only alive but also constantly evolving. This album, the result of a powerful collaboration between guitarist Joost Zoeteman, bassist Bart Tarenskeen, and drummer Wim de Vries, showcases how three musicians masterfully strike a balance between reverence for jazz history and a fresh, contemporary approach.

“An album of straight-ahead, swinging music” was something Alex Norris had in mind when he went into studio in the fall of 2020 to record his highly acclaimed SteepleChase debut album “Fleet From The Heat” (SCCD 31918). Here on his second album Norris continues with his theme of “straight-ahead with a lot of swinging” offering us a thoughtful and enticing contemporary hard-bop album. “Trumpeter Alex Norris has a way of making this record sparkle right out of the box” (Dusty Groove on SCCD 31918)

I share my personal experiences with the ensemble using materials ranging from graphic scores and written melodies, to photos and stories.�These materials function as unfinished compositions and as such challenge us to creatively connect our own ideas and sounds to the music, over and over again. To deal with this freedom in a musical way, we developed strategies for collective improvisation during a two-year artistic research process focussed on the Dutch tradition of free improvisation from the 1960s. This combination of recollection and improvisation has resulted in a record that is playful and personal, yet has an evocative, nostalgic, and impressionist character.

Markus Burger: It has been a joy to work with such an extraordinary ensemble-my long-time duo partner, Jan von Klewitz, and the legendary rhythm section of Peter Erskine and Bob Magnusson. Together, we've created music that reflects the landscapes, people, and moments that have shaped me. This album was recorded after a memorable tour through Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, and those breathtaking regions undoubtedly influenced the music.

Three main elements thread through the compositions and arrangements of this collection. Firstly, the presence of irregular time signatures.�Secondly, I am captivated by the magic that happens when a melody is accompanied by words: lyrics seem to emancipate a melody from the composer's original intent; what has been a tune becomes a song.�And thirdly, I am fascinated with textures, with the changing colours of intertwining wind instruments.

It's a gift that has been handed to Jasper: the ability to choose a musical partner for a unique project where the sum of the parts far exceeds the normal mathematical result. The result is the epitome of synergy. These great live recordings are addictive. Not merely because of their lovely tones, thrilling turns, subtle waywardness and the restrained calm that pervades them. No, it is first and foremost the overall vibe that makes this release so special. You're literally transported to a sound world that breathes, where a liberating space prevails. Your sense of time wavers and you feel connected to the language of the players. Listening to them places you fully in the Now.

If you make a new album you should call it: DREAM SEQUENCE!� I hope 'Dream Sequence' brings you into a personal space of sound, groove and beauty.

Nate Radley’s previous release “Puzzle People” (SCCD 31921) intrigued and surprised critics and listeners alike with the unique selection of repertoire and Nate’s sheer joy of playing that came across. On this his first duo recording with long-time colleague, pianist Gary Versace, Radley displays his penchant for creating a richly involving soundscape. “Nate Radley…is happy to venture outside the lines to explore music he enjoys playing, no matter the genre or style…” (Ken Dryden – NYCJR)

It's a chance encounter between three personalities and their distinct universes that sparked the origin of this magical music. A meeting between jazz, world music and fusion. The prospect of the perfect world where listening and mutual respect lie at it's heart. Like an insidious and enchanting philter, Macondo's music tends to make you lose all sense of time and space.

The Kaiju Project is a Japanese inspired jazz group formed by the half Japanese-Austrian pianist Aseo Friesacher. Their initial idea was to bring old folk songs into a new modern context, but in addition to their compositions, this group has found their very own musical direction: a perfect blend of traditional Japanese music and meditative-creative jazz.

Max Light the runner-up in the 2019 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition judged by, among others, Pat Metheny and John Scofield is fast establishing himself in the New York jazz scene. This is his first leader album on SteepleChase. While he was studying at New England Conservatory in Boston he was a regular member of the Jason Palmer group. Light’s crucial contribution to that group is documented in the two volumes of Palmer’s At Wally’s (SCCD 31855 & 31856) from 2018. During his days in Boston he also became a close collaborator of saxophonist Noah Preminger with whom he co-led “Songs We Love” (SCCD 31928). “The surprise is new young guitarist Max Light. Palmer gives him generous space, including some first solos. Light holds his own in fast company. Remember his name.” (Thomas Conrad – NYCJR on At Wally’s)

Since 2007 bandleader/saxophonist Chris Byars has recorded for SteepleChase 12 highly acclaimed albums. All the releases highlight Byars’ trademark skills as composer/arranger for larger ensembles. Here for the first time in 15 years Byars writes for a quartet setting displaying a laid-back side of the masterfully innovative performing composer. “Byars is in the pantheon of the contemporary breed of composer-bandleaders…original and thoroughly eclectic.” (W. Friedwald – New York Sun)

With a unique and unmistakable approach to music and his instrument,�Julien Tassin�is a one-of-a-kind guitar player. Using non-traditional techniques and original tunings, he creates music that combines elements of blues, jazz, classical, Oriental and African music. The result is music born out of openness and freedom. Stubbornly he repeats musical ideas until the tension reaches a boiling point, the lyricism of his melodies becomes inevitable, and the rawness of the sound takes center stage.

Delve into the heart of naval tradition and innovation as you explore original compositions meticulously crafted by the talented members of the U.S. Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble. Just as the Navy's ships and aircraft require the unified efforts of its diverse crew to operate seamlessly, each track on this CD reflects the harmonious synergy of individual artistry and collective devotion to musical excellence.

Mark Soskin who turns 70 this summer has been one of the top exponents of world jazz scene for the last 5 decades. Though his 14-year tenure with Sonny Rollins back in the 90s comes to our mind, Soskin has always been active with his own group and as a dedicated educator. This is his first duo recording with his long-time collaborator Jay Anderson (bass) for SteepleChase which he joined in 2018. “Soskin remains a treasure awaiting discovery by many jazz fans.” (Ken Dryden, NYCJR)

Vibraphonist/composer Dick Sisto appears for the first time on SteepleChase with his all-star quartet performing gems of American love songs. Sisto who hails from Chicago grew up in an encouraging musical milieu. He was spotted by none other than Cannonball Adderley as “an excellent player” during a collegial jazz festival while he was attending North Texas State University. This album originally released as a promotional sample is remixed and remastered from the multi- track master recordings.