To My Son

My Standard

Pianist Joe Bonner (1948 – 2014) was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina where Thelonious Monk was born about three decades earlier and left strong influence on the young pianist. An impressive modernist Joe Bonner performed in and around Denver, Colorado towards the end of his life and became a legendary figure. He spent considerable time in Denmark during the 80s. This album from Copenhagen in March 1987 is a studio recording with another American expatriate Bob Rockwell on tenor. "...The Lost Melody is a good group session, marked by strong charts ...." (The Penguin Guide to JAZZ) "... one cannot but admire the fluency and precision, the dexterous right hand...the diversity in his play is a mark of a great pianist..." (Jean-Paul Ricard, Diapason)

Suite For Chocolate

Dexter In Radioland vol. 5 This fifth volume finds Dexter with his best rhythm section. “...This collection of recordings from the Montmartre Club in Copenhagen in the Sixties...captures Gordon in full bloom....when Gordon hits his stride, as he does on the blues choruses of “Soul Sister”, there is every reason to join in the cheering of the audience. Remember him this way.” (Clive Davis, The Arts)

Alone

Live Again

Dexter In Radioland vol. 3 “Those were the nights in the summer of 64, sitting home in your pad turning the dial on the radio, and suddenly the mighty Dexter Gordon is on the air. You are in Radioland with one of the godfathers of bebop...”(Ib Skovgaard - from the linernotes.) “....an impressive document of the time.” (Barry McRae, Jazz Journal International November 1990)

Dexter In Radioland vol. 1 Dexter In Radioland is a mini series within the 36000 “classic” series and there are 7 volumes capturing Dexter in the very best period of his career. Copenhagen was his adoptive home in the 60s and the recordings here took place in the famous jazz club Montmartre with packed with enthusiastic audiences night after night. “...it is difficult to forget the staggering impact made by Dexter Gordon during his early sorties before European audiences....These splendid recordings celebrate Dexter’s first year in Europe and confirm that what we heard then was every bit as good as it seemed....There is a bonus...Atli Bjørn’s highly economical and individual style deserved a wider audience...” (Jazz Journal) “...there is every reason to join in the cheering of the audience. Remember him this way.” (The Times)

Montmartre Summit 1973

“The uncompromisingly original” Jackie McLean was the driving force of the early 60s’ Hard Bop and “Free” jazz. Within a year of this live session Jackie cut himself off the recording scene until he reappeared in SteepleChase’s first release “Live At Montmartre” SCCD 31001. “...All modern collections should include a smattering of McLean..” (Jazz Journal) “Jackie McLean, a true, acrobatic talent of alto sax...” (Jazz Hot)

El Gran Senor From Catalonia

Saxophonist and playwright Archie Shepp (b. May 24, 1937 in Fort Lauderdale. FL) then 26 years old visited Copenhagen in the fall of 1963 as a member of the famed New York Contemporary Five. Though Shepp at that time was the passionate practitioner of Free jazz, this recording in which he shared the bandstand with Sweden’s legendary baritone sax Gullin is something quite different from what one normally expects from Shepp in the 60s. It is Shepp playing straight jazz with audible enjoyment showing off his broad range of expression.

Dexter In Radioland vol. 4 “...This music here, recorded for Danish radio, all comes from 1964, when Dexter was at what we see with hindsight to have been both the zenith of his career and probably the happiest time of his life....” (Steve Voce, JAZZ FM)

“This excellent series of records which starts with a Montmartre Jazzhus live date from 1962 documents the way in which Gordon was playing when he arrived in Europe....his big tone failing to disguise his natural lyricism and his ability to brand a ballad his own. ....The support he received throughout this series was good and one can almost race the main group’s progress as the series unfolds...” (Barry McRae, Jazz Journal)

“Strongly recommended, buy!” (Compact) “...This is the best piano record in many years and one that will certainly rank with the best of any era.” Previously issued on SCCD 31017 & SCCD 31029

“Some might criticise that Dexter put out too many albums but this recording I cannot do without...” (Jyllandsposten) “...a thoroughly satisfying late-night-set.” (Michael Tucker, Jazz Journal International) Previously issued on SCCD 31224 & SCCD 31226

“ ...if you appreciate Bley’s quintessential lyricism and Lundgaard’s singing lines, this one and the other (Live Again SCCD 31230) are noteworthy albums...” (A.G., Compact, September 1989) “...The Rapport between Bley and Lundgaard is perfect...” (Birger Jørgensen, Aarhuus Stiftstidende) Previously issued on SCCD 31223 & SCCD 31230

“Admirable!” (Jazz Magazine) “..Miles Davis is not a notable enthusiast of singers, but one exception was Shirley Horn, a Washington-based improviser (on piano as well)...” (Nat Hentoff, Modern Recording & Music) Previously issued on SCCD 31257 & SCCD 31164

“…magnificent recording reveals grand moments of Bonner…” (Yves Sportis, Jazz Hot) “Bonner is an impressive modernist…a fine solo performer and an adventurous group leader…” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz) Previously issued on SCCD 31176 & SCCD 31182

“… ‘Trio’ maintains a high level of ingenuity throughout: it demonstrates again NHØP’s facility and invention and confirms his position as one of the top ranking bassist.” (Bill Henderson, Black Music & Jazz Review) “…an internally well-balanced ensemble, the constant interplay of their music being its main attraction…” (Max H., Jazz Journal) Previously issued on SCCD 31083 & SCCD 31093

Cuttin' Loose

A Ghetto Lullaby

“Clifford Jordan and The Magic Triangle toured in Europe in March-April 1975. I heard the group live and remember I was very impressed…With the quartet’s potential possibilities I cannot wait to see the release of the next volume…” (J.O – Orkester Journal 1978) “On Stage vol. 1 and its sequel embody the same group feelings and superb solo presentations by Jordan and Walton. They are the characteristic examples of this highly elaborated Be-bop music.” (Jørgen Siegumfeldt – Information 1978)

N. Y. C.ats

To My Queen Revisited

Trio 2

Speechless

Live On Tour In The Far East, Vol. 1

The Garden Of The Blues