Andrew Rathbun’s fourth leader album on SteepleChase reflects his musical ideas inspired by fellow Canadian Glenn Gould and looks into the implication of his homeland Canada on his music. “… he displays his growing maturity as a player and more of his acclaimed talents as composer/arranger.” (Mark Corroto, Allabout Jazz–NY on his previous release SCCD 31665 Where We Are Now) “The result is consistently thoughtful, well-crafted music in a mature idiom.” (Ken Dryden, Allabout Jazz–NY on SCCD 31589 Shadow Forms)

January a year ago American born Danish tenor saxophonist Niels Vincentz made CD debut from SteepleChase with his American trio of Cameron Brown on bass and Billy Hart on drums (“Early Reflections SCCD 31737) to critical acclaim. Vincentz presents here the follow-up set with Brown and Hart right after their tours in USA and Denmark. “Beautiful SteepleChase debut …so remarkable that it will open the door for Vincentz to the wider jazz audience.. ” (Ivan Rod - GAFFA, Denmark) “There’s perfect equilibrium here: no overreaching, no underreaching, either…You hear how centered Vincentz is, and why these Americans dig him.” **** (M. Jackson – DownBeat)

Stephen Riley’s new album stands out as his first ever ensemble with piano. Riley, a true individualist with an amazing, warm and soft sound selects the classic jazz repertoire to assemble this outstanding display of personal statement. “Stephen is an impressive player, with his own approach, his own sound and the conviction to keep it that way: he shows that it's possible to create something unique at this time. 5 Stars." (Lew Tabackin / Downbeat Blindfold Test April 2009 )

Reincarnation

Danish-born tenor saxophonist Martin Jacobsen resides in Paris, France and performs all over the world. Martin frequently gives concerts in many of the Asian countries including Japan, Korea and China. This release is a live recording of a very successful concert performed at Japan’s national public radio/TV network NHK’s “fureai” (contact) hall in 2011 only a few days after that devastating earthquake and tsunami which hit the north-east coast of Japan. The Martin Jacobsen Quartet which consists of Danish tenor, Japanese piano, German bass and English drummer revisited Japan later the same year to give support to the Japanese jazz fans. “…Jacobsen seems well aware of what makes jazz a vital music. It’s the constant sense of growth and discovery, taking the old and making it new. While this is a fine debut, there’s little doubt that future endeavors will prove even more impressive as the both Jacobsen and the band continue to mature.” (Derek Taylor- All About Jazz “Current State” SCCD 31548)

As Thomas Conrad (allaboutjazz) once observed Bill Mays as “a literate, polished, mainstream jazz pianist (who) likes to do concept albums”, Bill Mays chose to build his first album on SteepleChase on the concept of movie themes. Mays’s mastery of color and touch superbly illustrates those silver screen memorable moments.

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.

Fountainhead

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.“

Landscape With Open Door

Ballad Round The Left Corner

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….”

Birdtown Birds

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.

Bluesology

SteepleChase is proud to introduce Russ Spiegel, an immensely talented guitarist / composer on this his label debut album. “Another exciting SteepleChase discovery is unveiled!” (Mark Gardner)

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

Three bright, contemporary trumpet voices engage here in fluent and spirited conversation. Listeners will find a surprise guest trumpeter on “Joy Spring” track. Ken Dryden of allaboutjazz remarked on Vol. 17 and 18, “…well worth acquiring."

Dream Team

Cutting Edge

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. …”

Crossroad