Since embarking on a “burgeoning creative career” (Chuck Berg, JazzTimes) with his debut album “Introducing Ari Ambrose” in 1998 Ambrose has kept critics and fans positively surprised with his ever-evolving performances.
In this latest album we discover the tenorman’s romantic side.
Stephen Riley’s distinctive breathy tone and imaginative phrasing have attracted a good size followers in jazz listeners, musicians and critics.
“Isn't it nice to hear a truly individual sound in the sea of music that often sounds much the same? I stumbled across one of those sounds in Stephen Riley's music…” (Luke Soasey – saxophonist)
“Just heard Stephen Riley on a local radio. What a special tone he has. Dark and dry with a lot of subtones. And very creative playing….” (JJ – Sax on the Web)
Here on his latest album Riley formed a duo with his favourite piano man Peter Zak to stage an intriguing recital filled with amazing performances.
Guitarist/composer Craig Brann’s new album here finds the leader in a classic guitar trio format, a change of pace from the two previous sextet releases, bringing his rich tone and blazing chops to the fore.
"Brann’s solos are tastefully muscular, his accompaniment invariably melodic; he even punctuates his own improvised phrases with appropriate chords in the manner of Barney Kessel." (Tom Greenland - NYC Jazz Record on Mark My Words SCCD 31789)
One of the most essential figures of the big-band era Don Redman led this first American band to visit Europe after the World War II. Their Copenhagen concerts were not only musical events but also a historically and culturally significant experience which left the lasting impression on the Danish audience.
The leader of this new album Kirk Knuffke has just been voted “Rising Star (trumpet)” of 2015 by the prestigious DownBeat Magazine’s Critics Poll.
Kirk moved to NYC just 10 years ago and he has firmly established as one of the most sought after cornetist / composer on the scene.
Kirk chose for this his 6th leader/co-leader album somewhat special material (music that relates to spirituality of passing (=funeral)) and executed beautifully with superb support from B-3 organ player Jamie Saft and legendary drummer Hamid Drake.
Mainstream jazz’s leading trumpeter and arranger Buck Clayton was the main figure in the Count Basie Big Band. After leaving Basie, Clayton formed his own group and toured Europe extensively.
“This was probably the best band Buck Clayton has ever had. ...This concert seems to have been the only one recorded and is therefore an invaluable document....” (Graham Colombé, Jazz Journal International)
Stephen Riley started his recording career with SteepleChase in 2005 with an amazing (and unusual) piano-less trio SCCD 31584 Inside Out. Since then he had more often than not opted for the piano-less format until he recorded his 2013 quartet release SCCD 31765 Lover with Peter Zak on piano.
Riley and Zak started performing as duo and made their first duo release SCCD 31806 Haunted Heart to critical and public acclaim. So here’s “Deuce” to follow up by the empathic twosome.
“…This session is his third meeting with pianist Peter Zak, whose sensitive accompaniment allows Riley the breathing room he thought could only be found in pianoless groups. This time, however, it’s just the pair, finding new avenues through a mix of jazz standards and gems from the Great American Songbook. Without timekeeping by a rhythm section, the players rely on intuition to anticipate their joint path…. With Haunted Heart, Stephen Riley and Peter Zak have achieved that rare chemistry that demands future projects together.” (Ken Dryden, New York City Jazz Record on “Haunted Heart” SCCD 31806)
Andy LaVerne’s unique ensemble of piano/organ/drums wraps up the two-night engagement at New York’s prominent jazz lounge at the Kitano Hotel with this last volume of intriguing original compositions by LaVerne and a handful of appealing standard titles.
“In hindsight, it's surprising that the piano and organ format has been so rarely utilized in jazz because it makes so much sense. The B3 is able to provide a bass line and a unique textural counterpoint that can complement as well as step forward ... it's Andy's superb originals that supply the fodder for this most rewarding collection…” (Andrew Hovan – AAJ on “Intelligent Design” SCCD 31618
Burgeoning vocalist/composer/lyricist Allegra Levy grabbed attention of critics and public with her 2014 debut album “Lonely City” SCCD 33118.
Allen Morrison of Downbeat remarked, “Allegra Levy has a pleasing alto, a sultry delivery and a propensity to swing. Her debut album, Lonely City, is consistently engaging."
“Discovering a fresh, dynamic jazz voice is always a delight. When the singer proves an equally gifted songwriter, the pleasure is squared. Allegra Levy is one such double-barreled talent.” (Christopher Loudon- JazzTimes)
Here on her new album, Allegra teamed-up with a powerhouse quintet tells her stories in both contemporary and timeless fashion.
This year is the 10th anniversary of Gregory Tardy’s tenure with SteepleChase label which started with his superlative release “The Truth” SCCD 31583.
“One of the bright hopes, Tardy sounds like a seeker, absolution and salvation in every solo.”
(New York Times)
Since then Tardy has, except for a short sabbatical leave from the commercial music scene, kept on creating spiritually inspired music that appealed and reached out to people of all faiths and convictions.
On this new album Tardy combines his own new music with a handful of intriguing compositions by other artists from the past to set up a scene for this stellar sextet featuring his long-time friend and great trumpeter Alex Norris
Tenor saxophonist, composer and now attorney at law (immigration specialist) as well Ari Ambrose has successfully gained the recognition from the critics and the public as one of the most innovative improvisers with his own voice.
On this his 14th album Ambrose looks back into the music that inspired him originally as teenager to find something new from it.
“Since his recording debut as leader on SteepleChase 'Introducing Ari Ambrose' some 15 years ago, saxophonist Ari Ambrose has maintained his impressive output and sound - a modern take on classic jazz forms, which he has polished to perfection on this album.” (Propermusic, UK on “settling In” SCCD 31770)
Since his debut album “Introducing Ari Ambrose” SCCD 31450 in 1998, Ari Ambrose’s burgeoning career has enjoyed critical and popular acclaim.
Most recent is by David Franklin of JazzTimes on the previous album “Waiting” SCCD 31560 “A exceptional example of mainstream modern jazz…” “… Ari Ambrose is open to the excitement of exploration, allows his muse to roam freely and that willingness, shared by his confreres here, makes him eminently listenable at all time. … ” (Mark Gardner)
A sequel to SCCD 31483 Songbook which was remarked by Mark Gardner as “….Vic’s most powerful and compelling series of jazz statements, summing up his 35 years’ involvement with the guitar…” displays again Vic’s “unpredictable lyricism” (Jim Ferguson, JazzTimes) and “…une belle fluidité et un joli sens de la mélodie… (Domi Truffandier, Jazz Hot).
On this second volume Juris selects gems of jazz compositions with startling beauty.
Trombone-piano duo may sound unlikely but if it concerns with the two masters of the respective instruments here, the result is a total delight.
“… It isn’t the instruments that determine the outcome of this intimate collaboration, but the musicians, their skills, interplay, sensitivity and consummate artistry which are the decisive factors.” (Mark Gardner)
On this his latest solo recording the composer / performer Andy LaVerne states, “This CD, as a personal statement, is one of the most important I have made since I began recording for SteepleChase 30 years ago. It demonstrates and documents how my writing has evolved over the years.”
To quote Danish critic Niels Overgaard, Andy LaVerne is “one of jazz’s analytical workmen”. The enormous body of his work as pianist, composer and educator over the five decades does not stop LaVerne from being creative to add new dimension to his artistry as evidenced in this new album.
“… pianist Andy LaVerne possesses talent that should be commensurate with a much broader public awareness. (C. Andrew Hovan – AAJ)
“LaVerne's writing chops are as impressive as his playing.” (Harvey Siders – Jazztimes on Pianissimo SCCD31512)
Danish avant-garde, modern jazz guitarist/composer and most famously leader of “one of Europe's most sophisticated bands” (Norman Weinstein) has always prided himself on the longevity (since 1980) of his constantly active New Jungle Orchestra.
On this new live recording Dørge features his favourite American cornetist Kirk Knuffke and writes music with Kirk’s sound in mind. With the help of engaging audience in Copenhagen NJO delivers one amazing concert here.
Mark Gardner in his liner notes aptly sums up the new Walrath CD: “There is never a dull moment during the switches of mood. Jack performs with all his inventive powers full on, and, importantly, his writing, direction and presence draw wonderful responses from his colleagues.”
“Jack Walrath not only displays tremendous trumpet playing, a rich and varied approach to composition and wonderful band, he also puts something into this fantastic CD that's missing from too much new jazz: a sense of fun and humor. That's not to say that it isn't sensitive and touching at times—"An Hour Blessed" is arguably as gorgeous as anything ever recorded. Musical food for thought with amazing jazz playing, this recording can't be praised highly enough”. (Francis Lo Kee of allaboutjazz on Ballroom, SCCD 31650)
“Bottom line, Walrath’s chops and imagination are still intact. The dues-paying he’s done over the years only assures that date’s like this one will reliably come in well under par.” (Derek Taylor – master of a small house on Heavy Mirth, SCCD 31683)
John Hart’s collaboration with SteepleChase started in 2016 with sideman role on the late alto saxophonist Andy Fusco’s Turmoil (SCCD 31843). The guitarist/composer/educator Hart since has kept releasing a barrage of highly acclaimed leader albums. On this his fifth outing he has assembled an impeccable quartet featuring Rich Perry on tenor and Brian Charette on B-3.
“This album is filled with understated jazz of a very high order. Well worth a listen,” (M. McKergow – London Jazz News on SCCD 31910 Checkmate)
Brian Charette’s unique, reed-based sextet released their first album “Music For Organ Sextette” (SCCD 31731) in 2012 to a critical and public acclaim.
Dan Bilawsky noted in AAJ : “…On Music For Organ Sextette, Charette weaves a unique and gripping aural tapestry together with a mélange of woodwinds serving as the thread. He channels his energy into creating constructs that benefit from the blending of multiple voices ... Music For Organ Sextette is an anomaly in the world of organ-centric jazz … Charette challenges the status quo with this one and winds up the victor in every way.”
On this second outing of the Sextet Brian Charette even furthers and deepens his musical universe making this sextet a perfect and permanent formula for its creative founder.
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… ”
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)
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)
