Following two successful albums (SCCD 31629 Stained Glass and SCCD 31643 Thrive) with his inventive group Cotangent, Bill Gerhardt on this new CD is at the Fazioli grand piano all by himself to offer us an immensely attractive solo recital.

Italy’s young piano talent Federico Bonifazi met Tolga Bilgin, Turkey’s rising star trumpeter at the Milan Conservatory where they studied a few years ago. Their mutual admiration and friendship let them to perform as duo or in a larger ensemble since. Bonifazi’s fourth album “Last Minute” makes a suburb example of where the European jazz stands today. “You'll see is an album worthy of particular attention, conceived and created with a strong artistic personality and with an enormous communicative generosity, in which Bonifazi holds up well with his traveling companions who support him, follow him without ever overlapping , with the humility and discretion that only great artists possess and that make this CD a real pearl in the musical production of the Umbrian pianist.” (Top 1 Communication – on SCCD 33125)

Though Ambrose and Riley, two of the elite tenorists of younger generation have known each other for several years and are both SteepleChase recording artists, this is the first time they went into a Studio to cut co-led albums. Both of them share a deep respect of the jazz’s tradition but their expressions distinctly bear their strong individual voices. Here’s the first volume of the dynamic and creative collaboration.

Next Age

“… This final volume, completing a remarkable trilogy, included further musical milestones from the pens of Tristano, Konitz and March plus further contributions by Eric and Nate….Job well done…” (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes)

Saxophonist Bob Sands toured Europe in the 80s with The Lionel Hampton Orchestra and decided to make Madrid, Spain his home in 1992. Born in Manhattan in 1966 Bob started to learn piano at age 5 and saxophone at 9. He graduated from the Eastman School of Music with BA in 1988 and further earned the Master Degree with honors from at the Manhattan School of Music in 1991. He has performed with top jazz artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis, Clark Terry, Ron McClure, among others. In Spain he leads his own group which is presented in this new album and a big band with which he regularly gives concerts in Madrid.

SteepleChase LookOut begins its new year 2020 release with this piano trio album by French pianist/composer Marc Benham (also known as Benhamou). Benham started to play piano at very young age and his prodigious talent enabled him to perform professionally with Dixieland and New Orleans oriented jazz bands while still a teenager. Through expansive performing experience of diverse styles of jazz piano Benham developed his personal, original voice. Here on his debut on SteepleChase Benham showcases his dynamic and at the same time lyrical artistry of piano trio. Benham is also a dedicated educator who teaches jazz piano at the Conservatoire CIMP (Paris 17) and at the Bill Evans Piano Academy also in Paris. “Whether it’s stride, classical music or modern jazz, Marc Benham has an incomparable grasp of the material both in fiery and in controlled manner. He whirls but delivers a melodic and clear musical concept that testifies both harmonious and technical skills.” (France Musique)

Cyclic Episode

Blue To The Bone II

This Isn't Maybe

Doxy

At The Golden Circle Vol. 2

Never Always

The 10th of SteepleChase’ ongoing series of Jam Sessions finds three ace guitarists in creative, competitive but friendly atmosphere of recording studio. On earlier Jam Session series, Chris Parker of CD Reviews commented, “… a varied programme skilfully played by all concerned … .” and Derek Taylor of All About Jazz wrote, “… The Danish SteepleChase imprint has long recognized the fertile dynamics of jam sessions, fronting the resources for many in its roster of players to convene in just such supportive surroundings … ”

“Temperament” is Tony Purrone’s fourth entry on SteepleChase label and is an aptly entitled one. As writer Mark Gardner puts it in the liner notes, “Guitarist Tony Purrone possesses temperament in the most positive sense. Gregarious, fast-talking and straight-dealing, Tony is proud of his Italianate background and takes similar pride in striving to play to his full capability at all times….”

Remembering Eric Dolphy

Here’s the sequel to SCS 1222 “Nuage” recorded a day after (May 25, 1986) at The Slukefter in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen. American drummer Ed Thigpen joined the group. Boulou Ferré (b. April 24, 1951 in Paris, France) is one of the greatest French contemporary virtuoso jazz guitarists of the manouche (gypsy jazz) tradition. He was awarded “Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” by the French Cultural Ministry in 2012. Together with his younger brother Elios Ferré, also a jazz guitarist, Boulou recorded seven albums for SteepleChase. " ... the music sparkles from the word 'go' with Parker's Confirmation...Well recorded and musically very impressive, Try and hear it." (David Lands, Jazz Journal International)

The partnership between cornetist Kirk Knuffke and pianist Jesse Stacken has so far produced two brilliant tribute albums to jazz’s great composers (SCCD 31677 Mockingbird – music of Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, SCCD 31717 Orange is the color – music of Charles Mingus). On this their third album for the label Knuffke& Stacken comes into their element of new jazz with adventurous twists with modern composers: Steve Lacy, Carla Bley, John Coltrane, Albert Ayler and Misha Mengelberg. “…. a set that rises above the heap of albums paying tribute to jazz god fathers” (Mark Shanley on “Orange Was The Color” – JazzTimes) “This is nostalgia made vibrant, played with precision, depth, good taste and a leisurely refusal to overcrowd its sonic space.” Martin Longley on “Mockingbird” – AllAbout Jazz)

The crystal clear beauty of the sound of Riza Hequibal’s harp was first heard on a few tracks of Printup’s 2007 album “Bird of Paradise” (SCCD 31626). On this new album Hequibal enhances Printup’s lyrical performances through out as an essential member of his trio. Incidentally Riza and Marcus were married a few months after the recording of this aptly titled album A Time For Love. Ken Dryden of AllAboutJazz-NY described Printup “as an open-minded player who gives his all in any setting, whether playing standards or time-tested jazz compositions or new music given to him on a record date.”

As the title of this SteepleChase debut album ”Little Green Men” suggests, vibraphonist Michael Pinto presents us a unique jazz universe hugely inspired by his love of science fiction movie themes. A graduate of Berklee College of Music Michael Pinto, now 29 is a "vital newcomer” (AllAboutJazz) on New York scene. “… Many jazz listeners may not be familiar with the works of Brad Fiedel, Bear McCreary and Wendy Carlos, but their compositions, outside the galactic space they were written for, stand up well beyond their usual comfort zone, and Michael has skilfully adapted these themes to a jazz setting, showing they can serve as a good basis for improvisation.” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

Tenor saxophonist Brew Moore (1924 - 1973) made only a small number of recordings and this is one of the very few on CD. Moore was greatly influenced by Lester Young and was a lyrical swinging player. This recording is from the Danish Radio’s bi-weekly broadcasting in the mid 60s. “...it is straightforward and honest music...from the heart.” (T. Sjøgren)

Though Ted Brown co-led a CD (“Dig-It” SCCD 31466) with Lee Konitz in 1999, this is the first leader album in some 15 years for this legendary tenor stylist from the Lennie Tristano school. “ Ted has been an uncompromising individualist throughout his stop/start career. From an early age he realised and recognised the importance of following his own path in music. He refused to be thrown off course or swayed by commercial or fashionable considerations. Consequently his playing has retained a personal quality absent from the legions of saxophone clones lacking the courage of their own convictions.” (Mark Gardner)

Faun

Since his sensational debut CD in 1999 Ari Ambrose has received incredible amount of acclaims. To quote a few: “…. Ambrose is a star on the rise.” (Chris Hovan, Jazzreview.com), “… Ari Ambrose steps to the fore as a fully formed stylist … also a writer of substance.” (Chuck Berg, JazzTimes), “… a first class young musician … ” (Eddie Blackwell, Jazz Journal), “… Ambrose is striving mightily to have his voice be heard and recognized on its own merits … ” (Derek Taylor, one final note), “… a very satisfying and fascinating album from a very fine player… ” (Mike Rogers, JazzReview). On this his 7th album Ari expertly leads his quintet to display his ever-evolving creativity.

What modesty forbids Harold Danko from saying is that he interprets and handles this diversity of material in a most personal and refreshing manner which would surely please the composers, who also were/are all working instrumentalists. The Danko/Formanek/Hirshfield coalition is a unit that functions with unanimity. While Harold may have opted for a solo piano approach his two companions worked beautifully around that stance to achieve a wholly integrated blend. (from Mark Gardner's liner notes)