Doug Raney (Aug. 29, 1956 – May 1, 2016) moved to Copenhagen, Denmark from New York when he was 21 after a European tour with his famous guitarist father Jimmy Raney. Doug spent the rest of his rather short life in Copenhagen. He collaboration with SteepleChase started shortly after his move to Denmark in 1977 with the debut album “Introducing Doug Raney” (SCCD 31082/SCS 1082). Since then he released 17 highly acclaimed leader album during the 80s and 90s. This album recorded in 1984 finds Raney in a comfortable company of his regular Danish rhythm section. “Blue And White is probably the best of (Raney’s early releases in the 80’s – ed) them, dominated by titanic performances of Jimmy Heath’s ‘Gingerbread Boy’ and Coltrane’s ‘Straight Street’…” (Richard Cook & Brian Morton – The Penguin Guide to Jazz) “Players of Doug Raney’s depth and talent don’t come along very often, making their absence, when their end does come, something almost tactile….” (Larry Grinnel)

Dexter Gordon used to introduce his favorite pianist Tete Montoliu (1933 – 1997) on stage as “El grand senior from Catalonia!” The first volume of the celebrated series of live recordings from Zelesta, the famed club in Barcelona, was highly acclaimed by the critics and audience alike. “The album captures Tete at the peak of his powers, in inspirational company and among a warmly sympathetic audience…. Thanks to tracks like these we can continue to celebrate his diamond bright lines of compelling logic and vivid beauty.” (Mark Gardner) "… his extraordinary virtuosity permits him to keep the breathtaking speed while playing beautiful melody line with great confidence of improvisations. Here in 1980 trio he explodes with a bang!" (Pierre Schavey, The Lion)

Doug Raney (Aug. 29, 1956 – May 1, 2016) a son of famed American guitarist Jimmy Raney made his album debut “Introducing Doug Raney” SCCD 31081 at the age of 18. He lived most of his adult life in Denmark but performed and recorded all over the world both as a leader and a sideman. “… Raney’s measured approach satisfies everywhere, whether heated up on Trane’s Lazy Bird or cool reflective in Theme For Ernie. Raney, an honorable name.” (Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat ****) “Backed by a driving rhythm section of Danish jazzmen, Raney burns through this set of six original and standard tunes.” (Guitar Player magazine)

This LP was originally released in the summer of 1989 with Doug Raney at age 33. He released during his rather short life (1956 – 2016) 17 leader albums for SteepleChase including this 13th piano-less horn-featured recording which won accolades from critics all over the world. “...Doug Raney is an elegant player even when he’s attacking, as he does here on most of the content .... Certainly recommended if you enjoy your jazz slightly in advance of bebop, but with all of that basic feel still there.” (Martin Richards on SCS 1249, Jazz Journal International) “...no doubt, another in the string of successful Raney releases.” (Paul B. Matthews on SCS 1249, Cadence)

Spanish master on keyboard Tete Montoliu passed away at age 64 on August 24, 1997 in Barcelona. In this celebrated series of live recordings from Zeleste, earlier volumes (SCCD 31148 and 31241) were enthused by the critics and audience alike.Here’s the last set from the same recordings which “capture at the peak of his powers, in inspirational company and among a warmly sympathetic audience….Thanks to tracks like these we can continue to celebrate his diamond bright lines of compelling logic and vivid beauty.” (Mark Gardner)

One of the best assets of the Count Basie Big Band in the 50s, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis was a frequent guest player in Europe in the 70s. In the Spring of 76 Lockjaw went into a studio in Copenhagen with “the excellent Danish rhythm section” which “manage to coax some of the best playing from the tenor saxophonist since his days with Basie” (Gramophone). “...The mood, as always with Davis, is a happy one. With the help of the fine, supportive rhythm section it becomes contagious, and ...it is an awful lot of fun to listen to.” (Fanfare) “Thankfully, the girls haven’t come home yet, so this rhythmic set of eight tunes (11 on this CD) swings out nicely...” (Billboard)

“...an intriguing recording, because it catches one of the idiom’s most important trumpeters, not merely at the height of his mature powers, but at an interesting point of transition between two of the very best editions of his small bands...” (Chris Sheridan) “.....The heavily blues based styles of Mance and Wright complemented the soulful side of Gillespie who was without question at the peak of his powers at this time....As with all of Nils Winther’s work, the sound is beautifully balanced, and the digital transfers are excellent.” (Cadence)