Francis Lo Kee of All About Jazz sums up what Jack Walrath is all about in his review of SCCD 31650 “Ballroom”: “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.” Jack Walrath shares his inner thoughts on music and society in his liner notes for this latest album which makes quite an interesting read in addition to yet another intriguing recording.

Blue To The Bone

Bassist/composer Ron McClure is also an avid tennis player. The group on this CD founded originally to give concerts for the Riverside Clay Tennis Association became McClure’s newest regular group. Considering McClure’s career background that includes Wynton Kelly, Marian McPartland, the early fusion band Fourth Way, the Jazz-Rock group Blood, Sweat and Tears, the Charles Lloyd Quartet, Thelonious Monk, among others, it is not surprising to find this group in the blend of diverse musical styles. McClure is not only a strong bassist with technical excellence but “…he is also an exceptional composer who draws on non-jazz tonalities with great confidence.” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, Richard Cook).

Coalescence

Solo Master Pieces, Vol. 2

Watch Out!

Solo Master Pieces, Vol. 1

Where Is Love?

Award-winning saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator Chris Byars, apart from his focus on composing his own music, has been highly interested in studying the vast repertoire of jazz composers of the 20th century. His endeavour has so far culminated in Blue Lights (SCCD31662) – music of Gigi Gryce, Lucky Strikes Again (SCCD 31713) – music of Lucky Thompson, Music Forever (SCCD 31743) – music of Freddie Redd. Now to add to this impressive listing Chris Byars compiled 11 gems from the book of Duke Jordan (1922 – 2006) who was one of the early and most original bebop pianists. Israeli-born singer Yaala Ballin wrote lyrics and sang two of the Jordan melodies (Sultry Eve and Lesson In Love).

Chris Byars saxophone/composer/arranger leads his group in various formats including a quintet as in this album with guest instrumentalists (his father James Byars on English horn and his fiancée Mine Sadrazam on piano). Chris could be dubbed “Jazz Ambassador” conducting cultural exchange programs in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Balkans for the U.S. Department of State since 2007. While his previous three albums were highly creative tributaries to jazz’s true heroes: Freddie Redd, Lucky Thompson and Gigi Gryce, this new album is a superb collection of Chris’s original compositions many of which are depicting diverse cultures of the world. “…Byars’ treatment of these songs will help attract more artists and listeners to Lucky's work. Until then, consider yourself lucky to enjoy this excellent release.” (Ken Hohman – Freedom Jazz Dance on Lucky Strikes Again SCCD 31713)

Ari Ambrose, since his recording debut as leader on SteepleChase’s “Introducing Ari Ambrose” (SCCD 31450) some 15 years ago, has maintained his musical perspectives of modernism on tradition and has polished them to perfection on this new album. “…With so many of the young tenor voices continuing to follow John Coltrane or Sonny Rollins or turning toward free-form abstraction, it’s refreshing to find Ambrose employing the tradition, taking it back and bringing it forward, … offering something different in what often seems to be a world of clones.” (Will Smith – JazzTimes on Whatever Happens SCCD 31617) “Ari Ambrose's Waiting (SteepleChase SCCD 31560) is totally lacking in pretension. An exceptional example of mainstream modern jazz,…” (David Franklin-JazzTimes)

After a 7-year hiatus from the recording scene pianist Michael Cochrane came back strong with his new trio consisting of two Johns: Steve Johns, who’s been Cochrane’s colleague in the Sonny Fortune band, on drums and his prodigious 17-year-old son Daryl on bass. “… his music has sincerity and polish… Its execution within an honored tradition is so error-free that piano-trio addicts (and there are many out there) can simply trust it and relax. We can rely on it at any time of the day or night for sustenance and consolation. Not junk food. Comfort food. (Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes on “ Right Now” (SCCD 31627)

Gregory Tardy’s seventh release on SteepleChase “Hope” delivers strong musical and spiritual message to us all. Since his comeback from a three year sabbatical from the music scene Tardy has firmly resumed his place as “one of the most important saxophonists of his generation” (Matthew Miller, AAJ). “… ultimately it’s Tardy’s show. Not only is he arguably the most original of the band’s improvisers, he’s also the most impassioned. His lines are incisive and hard-edged. Even his most fanciful flights are purposeful. His energetic approach consistently lifts the group’s performance to a higher level….” (Chris Kelsey – JazzTimes on Steps of Faith SCCD 31610)

Terrell Kent Holmes of allaboutJazz commented on Zak's CD debut (SCCD 31578 The Peter Zak Trio) last year, "Pianist Peter Zak is something of an unknown quantity to New Yorkers, but on his SteepleChase debut, he makes a considerable first impression. On this disc, which is comprised mostly of originals, he displays a style, which, although clearly touched by his major influences, remains vibrant and singular. During a great gig last month at Smoke, Zak showcased several of the tunes (and one that isn't on the disc, a burner with the hilarious title "The Cream or the Clear," which hopefully will be on a future release)." Yes, the title in question is in fact on this his second release For Tomorrow which portrays a mature artist with confidence, authority and brilliance.

Rich Perry’s newest album Nocturne marks the 21st release in his 21-year-tenure with SteepleChase and for the first time Rich employs guitar (by Nat Radley) instead of piano for his quartet. Rich Perry still is arguably the best-kept-secret of today’s modern jazz scene inspite of all the talks of admiration by the critics and the fellow musicians such as tenor player David Valdez. To quote Valdez from his blog, “.. Rich never plays down to the audience, never compromising his advanced harmonic and rhythmic concepts in favor of wide accessibility…. Even though he stays on the cutting edge Rich's sound is always musical and melodic. He just always approaches melodic phrases from an extremely oblique angle. I really can't think of a badder cat that flies so low under the radar… I don't see this changing in the future since fame and fortune are obviously not motivating factors for Mr. Perry.”

In the last few years Cornetist Kirk Knuffke has developed a formidable discography on SteepleChase label with three duo recordings with pianist Jesse Stacken, each of which is a tribute to jazz’s great composers, and one quartet collaboration with veteran saxophonist Ted Brown. Kirk Knuffke filled the new album here entirely with his own original compositions to showcase his unique compositional talent. "Over the last couple years, New York trumpeter Kirk Knuffke has quietly emerged as one of the most exciting and flexible hornmen on the scene.” Peter Margasak - Downbeat magazine

Guitarist/composer Pierre Dørge (b. 28 February 1946 in Copenhagen, Demark) has been leading the internationally renowned New Jungle Orchestra, which Down Beat hailed as “unabashedly one of Europe’s most sophisticated jazz band” for 35 years, performing in more than 50 countries, enriching his musical vocabulary from different culture all over the world. On this his second quartet album (the first, entitled “Ballad Round The Corner” SCCD 31132 was released 36 years ago with now deceased legendary John Tchicai on alto sax) Pierre Dørge puts his trademark “pan-cultural jazz” energy to his new international ensemble of Kirk Knuffke (cornetist), Hamid Drake (drummer) from USA and Thommy Andersson (bassist) from Sweden.

Nosmo King

Strike Up The Band

Pianist and Professor Emeritus of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University Chuck Marohnic (b. 1941) has an impressive background having played with Ira Sullivan, Eddie Jefferson & Richie Cole, Bill Hardman, Junior Cook, Chet Baker, Buddy Rich to mention a few. Marohnic was in Denmark in the summer of 1981 in European tour. He recorded this intriguing solo album in Copenhagen.

Everything I Love

Tenor Saxophonist Stephen Riley - as an aspiring student of jazz at William Paterson College in New Jersey - had a brief but significant encounter with guitarist Vic Juris who at the time taught ensemble playing class there. A couple decades has passed since and here on his new album Riley asked his former teacher to join him. Sadly, it turned out to be Juris’ last ever recording. He succumbed to cancer a few weeks after the session, although he did not show any sign of physical and mental decline on this date. On the contrary his strong presence in the dialog among the quartet made this album truly extraordinary. “Tenor-saxophonist Stephen Riley has a sound of his own, featuring a tone that is both light and piercing … Riley and Magnarelli who, while tied to the bebop tradition, in this setting do not feel compelled to stick to it. Their fresh ideas and sly song quotes are invigorating…easily recommended. (Scott Yanow – Los Angeles Times on SCCD 31881 Oleo)

Rich Perry’s previous release Other Matters (SCCD 31876) was his first album that consisted solely of his original compositions. The master of intelligent and creative improvisation tenor saxophonist Perry does not usually see himself as a composer, but we all know the line between composing and improvising in jazz is just a blur. On this his 26th album on SteepleChase Perry again pens all the tunes and offers the outstanding rhythm section ample space to enrich the original material. Tom Conrad of NYCJR remarks on SCCD 31776 Nocturne: “Probably Perry’s most passionate fans are other tenor saxophone players. Those who have spent their lives studying the instrument understand that the purity of Perry’s minimalism is a rare quality to which they themselves aspire.” “Rich Perry has been known for his ability to play coherent and creative solos over the most complex chord changes and for his relatively mellow sound. For Other Matters, he decided to try something different. Perry wrote nine original pieces that avoid regularly recurring chord changes… Perry’s excellent departure. (Scott Yanow – NYCJR on SCCD 31876 Other Matters)

Ian Patterson of AAJ remarked, “Rathbun's music is intellectually challenging and yet immediately accessible...”, when he was reviewing The Idea of North (SCCD 31762) Rathbun’s previous album. New York-based Canadian saxophonist/composer Andrew Rathbun has been releasing series of innovative albums which delight us with consistent creative and entertaining quality. Here on his latest recording Rathbun joins forces with NY’s finest rhythm section to produce another unique instrumental jazz. “This outstanding release remains fresh with each hearing, as new facets of these performances become apparent to the listener.” (Ken Dryden - AAJ on Shadow Forms SCCD 31598)

Veteran pianist/composer/educator Andy LaVerne has been a stalwart of SteepleChase Label for almost four decades. His latest album here is the sequel to “Live At The Kitano” with his unique piano/organ trio named One Of A Kind, which aptly describes its out-of-the-ordinary nature of the ensemble. C. Andrew Hovan of AAJ commented on the first SteepleChase release of the group Intelligent Design (SCCD 31618), “Really one of the most welcomed surprises of the season, Intelligent Design lives up to its name as one of LaVerne's best efforts thus far and one of the finest jazz releases of the year.”