On May 31, 1981 trumpeter/composer John McNeil’s 5th release Clean Sweep was recorded at the famed Rudy van Gelder Studio with all-star sidemen (Dave Liebman, Joanne Brackeen, Rufus Reid and Billy Hart). McNeil dedicated this album to the world-renowned brass teacher Carmine Caruso. John McNeil (born March 23, 1948) is one of the most influential trumpeters today. Despite his debilitating health condition which he has been fighting all his life, McNeil has a fully active career both as performer and educator. “…. He seems to have the trick of drawing the best from his sidemen ….” (Melody Maker) “…plays his horn with a soulfulness that is rarely heard these days. [His] poetic, dusky-toned trumpet is very close to song." (Chicago Tribune) "McNeil's solos were by and large the most incisive features of the night." (London Daily Mail)

Following his successful SteepleChase debut album (SCCD 31562 Blue Function) recorded in jazz’s birthplace, New Orleans where he lives, Christian Winther moves his recording venue to jazz’s thriving place, New York for this his second outing to result in once again an exciting, evolving and enjoyable album. On his debut album, Cadence’s Jim Santella commented, “… The leader’s centerpiece is his laid-back attitude. It enables him to caress a melody without raising a fuss, … to show a sincere love for lyric beauty… ”

Juris’ versatile and innovative mind finds a perfect setting for his latest album here in the relatively seldom heard guitar/trumpet quartet (without piano). Vic has been collaborating in trumpeter Tim Hagans’ Norbotten Big Band (Sweden) for several years to lay down the groundwork for this creative album. “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)

In the summer of 1989 when this album was recorded in sweltering heat of NYC pianist/composer Jim McNeely at the age of 40 had already had an impressive track record of performing with prominent players such as Stan Getz, Bob Brookmeyer, Dave Liebman, the Thad Jones/Mel Louis Orchestra, among others. McNeely, now a celebrated veteran himself, has earned ten nominations of the Grammy Awards and worked as conductor/composer/soloist-in-residence with a handful of radio orchestras of European major cities including Copenhagen, Frankfurt, etc., besides leading his own group. “This must be one of the finest piano trio albums I’ve heard, well, since the last by Jim McNeely… His musical sensitivity and sophistication make this album a constant joy.” (Any Hamilton – Wire UK on Winds Of Change)

Ugly Beauty

Strings & Things

Peter Zak’s penchant and artistry for trio format has produced an impressive series of piano trio albums all of which have enjoyed superlative critical acclaims all over the world. Here on this latest release with the fitting album title Peter Zak delivers once again his trademark intelligent art of piano trio performance. “You can’t help but be drawn in by his deep swing, mastery of tempo, horn-like phrasing, orchestrative savoir faire, and ability to conjure melodic pathways through harmonic thickets.” (Ten Panken – DownBeat on Down East – SCCD 31715)

I Waited For You

Suburban Fantasies

In Concert From Japan

“...this is a lively and cohesive bop band of real intrinsic merit...(Rodney) is an exciting exponent of bop. His presence gives this group authenticity, and as such groups go it is a very musical and attractive one...” (David Badham, Jazz Journal International) Previously issued on SCCD 31238 & SCCD 31252

The instrumentation of piano/organ/drums may be highly unusual but with Andy LaVerne and Gary Versace on the keyboards the format is a sure winner as their earlier collaboration in “All Ways” (SCCD 31569) – “(LaVerne and Versace) sound absolutely natural and complementing together….two equally appealing keyboard voices…” (Thomas Conrad – JazzTimes)

Trinity

Light Blue

“In the jazz tradition, the jam session played and continues to play a vital role in the musical community. In that spirit, Steeplechase, a label built on tradition, has come up with a jam session series, pairing veteran players with up-and-comers as a way of spreading the word about musicians on the label.” (Matthew Miller/allaboutjazz - on Vol. 19)

Stan Getz In Chappaqua

Introducing a new talent has always been a major and satisfying incident for SteepleChase. The list of artists whose debut albums it produced includes Doug Raney, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Andy LaVerne, Hilton Ruiz, Joe Locke, Kevin Hays, Larry Willis, Rick Margitza, Rich Perry just to mention a few. The latest addition, saxophonist Joshua Douglas Smith is just turning 21 and studying jazz and economics at New York University. Joshua and his fellow NYC students formed this group and within a short time they began to display extraordinary levels of creativity. “Joshua Douglas Smith and his three contemporaries…make an impressive debut here and in doing so indicate a bright and optimistic future for jazz.” (Mark Gardner)

A sequel to the much acclaimed “Quartet Music” (SCCD 31513) features again pianist/leader Michael Cochrane’s first class treatment of the carefully chosen material for the quartet. Jack Bowers of Cadence magazine commented on the previous release: “…Cochrane, Malach, bassist Calvin Hill and drummer Jeff Hirshfield play them with remarkable ease and assurance, uncovering the beauty and charm in every number without ever appearing to be working at it. Quartet music at its best.”

Amongst Ourselves

You Go To My Head

“…This is jazz of today but played in the spirit of the music's history and with an awareness of its best traditions. Jamming lives!” (Mark Gardner) 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.”

Spread The Word

For You, For Me For Evermore

For Us

Big Room