Gregory Tardy comes back to the recording scene with this strong performance after three-year hiatus. On Tardy’s earlier release “Truth” (SCCD 31583), AAJ-NY’s Matthew Miller commented: “Of the many stars to have emerged on the jazz horizon during the '90s, one of the most disciplined, emotive and perhaps underrated is the multifaceted Gregory Tardy .… With this release, his first on SteepleChase, Tardy takes another step toward establishing himself as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation.

Since his recording debut (1995) with Activism (SCCD 31382), George Colligan has proven to be a leading instrumentalist / composer of the younger generation, whose prolific outputs since received international acclaim from both critics and public. On this new release – third solo album on the label, Mark Gardner remarks, “…this particular release, to my ears, is of greater significance as it reveals the unalloyed core of his music and the man's ultimate self-reliance.“

Following the impressive rendition of Coltrane’s music by the pianist on SCCD 31477 “Compassion”, LeeAnn Ledgerwood dedicates this CD to Bill Evans whose music changed her life. As she puts it in the linernote: “ … Art, the art that jazz is, is an experience. Anyone can have it, participate in it, and revel in the rage of emotions that leave us in awe. I owe my life’s work to such an experience. It happened when I was a child of eleven. I heard my first recording by Bill Evans….”

With the successful debut album (SCCD 31545 “Major Incident”) in place Joshua returned to studio this time supported by three veteran sidemen: Ben Monder (guitar), his mentor and teacher Ron McClure (bass) and Billy Hart (drums). “Still not yet 22 – he was born in New York on August 24, 1982 - Joshua displays his rapidly growing confidence and maturity…The outcome is an invaluable, focussed snapshot of his artistic development … ” (Mark Gardner)

Here’s the 11th output by the pianist whose steady collaboration with this label was described by the Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD as “The move to SteepleChase has been nothing but positive for Danko. Producer Nils Winther has an intuitive feel for piano players and he gives Harold a well-rounded, spacious sound that enhances his increasingly positive and resonant playing.” Trilix comprises nine jazz compositions including Duke Jordan’s classic “Flight To Jordan” immaculately performed.

Since 1992 composer/bassist Steve LaSpina has been regularly releasing constantly high quality leader albums with consistently high quality. For his 7th CD on SteepleChase Steve returned to the studio with the same group as his 1997 recording of “When Children Smile” (SCCD 31410) of which JazzTimes’ reviewer Bill Bennett wrote, “This is an impressively thoughtful offering from a bassist often found in the company of thoughtful musicians. As a bassist, LaSpina evokes a wonderful sound, bent to the task by a solid time concept and intonation….”

Dave Gelly of Gramophone Jazz Good CD Guide described Cochrane as “a mature and imaginative pianist with a delicate touch and deep harmonic resources… ” After a few years’ absence from the recording scene Cochrane emerges strong and brilliant here with his working trio.

This recording with the title song “Take Good Care Of My Heart” by Jermine Jackson was nominated for Down Beat’s “Jazz Album Of The Year” 1985. It was also nominated for a Grammy Polish Violinist/bandleader Michal Urbaniak (b. January 22, 1943 in Warsaw) studied violin (from age 6), soprano saxophone and later tenor saxophone. While working as a classical violinist after graduating from the Conservatory in Warsaw, Michal played tenor sax in jazz groups in Poland. He moved to New York in the 70s and has made numbers of highly successful albums with his own group.

Saxophonist and composer Gregory Tardy emerged from the highly productive and creative jazz scene of the 90s and has established himself “as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation.” (Matthew Miller – AAJ). The music Gregory Tardy composes and performs is filled with devotional texture and emotion. The strength of his music and performance reaches out to the vast range of people regardless of their spiritual background, as it is the case with this his 8th release on SteepleChase. “He sounds as if he’s physically wresting new possibilities and beauty…. It’s moments such as these that invoke the combination of faith-infused yearning and hard-won triumph that is at the heart of the best spiritually inspired improvisational music.” (Carlo Wolff - JazzTimes on The Strongest Love” SCCD 31698

Rich Perry is teamed up here with his original sidemen whom he goes back more than 13 years. “Perry and cohorts play jazz for the 21st century which shows a constant awareness and love for what went before.” (Mark Gardner) Rich's “Live at the Kitano 1” (SCCD 31600) drew a lot of attention from the critics. Matthew Miller of allaboutjazz wrote, “Perry once again dazzles with his facility and impeccable taste and further asserts himself as one of the most gifted saxophonists of his generation. …”

Pianist Bill Gerhardt has been a part of active jazz scene in New York for the past decade with his working band with which he makes his leader debut. Since his sideman appearance on Jed Levy’s “Round And Round” (SCCD 31529) Gerhardt has been on the “must record” list of SteepleChase.

Six decades after Charlie Parker’s death the master of modern trumpet Marcus Printup pays tribute to Bird whose music occupies substantial part of his musical foundation. “… Marcus Printup and associates show beyond doubt that Bird’s messages continue to have relevance I our times, two generations later.” (Mark Gardner)

SteepleChase’ new recording artist Eric Rasmussen is among the young elites of New York jazz scene. His debut album here casts refreshing light on the special music evolved through the teachings of pianist Lennie Tristano and turns its inspirational source into deeply personal and emotional music of his own.

“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 – Allabout jazz).

Dave Scott, an award winning trumpeter and a dedicated educator, is first and foremost recognized as a prolific and resourceful composer. He composes for and performs with his own jazz ensemble consists of New York’s finest improvisers. “…Scott is using a sturdy template to introduce his own ideas … this band should be feted for its originality and cohesion.” (Mike Shanley – JazzTimes on “Song for Amy” SCCD 31561)

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)