On The Roll

The Steve Slagle Quartet

Three Of Four

In this long-waited first leader album in six years Oatts again reveals himself as an uncompromising and phenomenal jazz musician. In reviewing Oatts’ previous release “South Paw” (SCCD 31511) Owen Cordle of JazzTimes wrote, “ …Long-time lead alto man with the Vanguard Orchestra, Oatts comes from the Desmond- Konitz school of saxophone playing. But a sweet sound and a cerebral approach to improvising comprise only part of his style. There's also a trim muscularity in his tone and lines. And the lines can be quite angular and oblique at times. I don't hear any other alto man playing with all these qualities these days. …”

Distant Dream

Veteran alto saxophonist Andy Fusco, despite his long-time active career which had begun with the 5-year tenure with the Buddy Rich Big Band in the late 70s, has been notoriously under-recorded as a leader. His SteepleChase debut album last year “Whirlwind” SCCD 31811, though it took 12 years before its release, has marked the new era for the virtuoso instrumentalist. Here on his new album (only one year has passed since the last one) Fusco leads his hand-picked band to present a tasteful and full-blooded program. “Whirlwind is one of those rare releases that exceeds craft and competence, and establishes its own reasons for being. Among other things, it's a bottomless well of a jazz record. The more you play it, the more discoveries you make. The music offers multiple perspectives and can be enjoyed in a number of ways.” (David A.Orthmann – AAJ on SCCD 31811)

Levy’s interpretation of Duke Ellington compositions released on “Mood Ellington” (SCCD 31579) was well received by critics and listeners. On this latest CD Levy explores the extraordinary legacy of one of the most influencial pianists of our time, Bill Evans.

Constant Source

Mike Richmond, Grammy Award-winning bassist with vast experience with leaders such as Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Horace Silver, Jack DeJohnette, Gil Evans, Chet Baker to mention a few, leads here his own group with cello as his instrument for the first time. Cello as a jazz instrument is still a rarity but its history goes back to the 50s when Oscar Pettiford broke new ground. Richmond put together this all-Pettiford-composition album to honor the pioneer. “…Dance for Andy is one of those rare CDs that sustain interest through a 70-minute-plus duration.” (Richard Cook & Brian Morton – The Penguin Guide on SCCD 31267) “Richmond is as nimble fingered and resourceful a bassist we have heard in some time.” (New York Daily News)

Some Other Blues

“The Danish Steeplechase imprint has long recognized the fertile dynamics of jam sessions, fronting the resources for many in its roster of players to convene in just such supportive surroundings.” (Derek Taylor – allaboutjazz)

Standard Issue

Andy LaVerne continues to explore the path he set out with his previous critically acclaimed release “Genesis” (SCCD 31818), this time with an added voice in trumpet/flugelhorn by Alex Sipiagin as well as Mike Richmond’s overdubbed cello over his bass-line. As in the previous album all titles are new originals by LaVerne, who, to quote Neil Tesser, Grammy Award winning American journalist, is a committed melodist, with truly individualistic tone. “… 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.” (C. Andrew Hovan – AAJ on SCCD 31618 Intelligent Design)

Pianist Phineas Newborn (1931 - 1989), despite his enormous talent characterised by his prodigious technique and extraordinary speed à la Art Tatum, remained in a relative obscurity throughout his professional life due to his illness. Fortunately for this overlooked and under-recorded genius, a private recording made during his visit to Sweden in 1958 survived. “Expertly cleaned up by Nils Winther, they sound fresh and bright enough to counterbalance the vagaries of a single-mike recording and a ropy piano. The music is of an unexpectedly high quality for a spontaneous session....” (The Penguin Guide To JAZZ)

Full Moon

Guitarist Vic Juris has assembled another organ trio this time with Brian Charette at the keyboard to showcase his ever-evolving musicality in this format. His previous organ trio album “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (SCCD 31553) from 2004 attracted attention of Aaron Steinberg from JazzTimes who commented, “…. convincingly played, very impressive recording…” “Guitar-watchers should take note of this impressive and adventurous player” (Duck Baker – JazzTimes on “Songbook” SCCD 31483)

New York-based pianist/composer Mark Soskin, following the successful previous (his first SteepleChase release) trio album “Hearts And Minds”, returns to the studio with his dream rhythm section in pursuit of perfecting the art of piano trio jazz. “…Here he is on his own ballgame as the leader of a vital, fine interacting trio … Soskin has a beautiful touch, a lyrical temper with unfailing ease. The music feels timeless and fresh as it often does when the recording session starts with the first take in house and completes in three and half hours,” (Ole Matthiessen – Jazz Special on SCCD 31834 “Hearts And Minds”) “…This is a very mindful session and holds the mind from beginning to end.” (Robert D. Rusch – Papatamus on SCCD 31834)

This 4th volume of the Jam Session series presents six musicians at the start of their career. Since the time of the recording took in 1997 all six have made major advancements in their career and build a name for themselves in the jazz world with recordings and performances with major jazz artists and in their own names.

Pianist LeeAnn Ledgerwood has been one of the major jazzwomen in the New York jazz scene in the past 15 years. This is her fi rst leader album on the label, though many SteepleChase listeners have long noticed her powerful and soulful playing from Ron McClure’s album “Sunburst”(SCCD 31306). “This recording represents a time in my life that I worked very hard to reach…. As you can tell, we truly had a good time playing together. All of this I had inside as I walked to this date. This music is why we were all together that day, and it is for you.” – LeeAnn

Award-winning pianist/composer Joel Weiskopf has long been established in the main-stream jazz scene in the USA and abroad. While he has released a number of leader albums, this is his debut leader outing on SteepleChase. On this new album Joel Weiskopf brings out his time-tested repertoire for quintet date with his Syracuse compatriots Joe Magnarelli (tp) and Andy Fusco (as). “…pianist Joel Weiskopf is a serious jazz pianist with an individualistic style that is an amalgam of a great number of influences from American jazz to Brazilian samba….” (C. Andrew Hovan, CD Review)

Harvey Siders in his JazzTimes review (Dec. 2002) of the first release (“Match Point” SCCD 31517) of this group concluded his writing by remarking, “Here’s hoping this two-year-old combo stays together.” Ron McClure Quartet does stay together, performing in and around New York area and dedicates another superb album here “For those affected by the tragic events of the recent past, we dedicate our music and express our hopes for a long overdue Age of Peace on our Earth”.(Ron McClure)

Brian Charette, one of the most innovative B3 organists today presents here his daring and exciting project departing from the traditional organ jazz approach. With “the sound of a reed choir plus organ” in mind Charette wrote challenging and dazzling original material for this special band and took the art of jazz organ to a new height. “Reliably smoking B3 player” (Bill Milkowski – JazzTimes)

Jason Palmer launched a series of homage recordings of songs composed or made famous by iconic singers of our time a couple of years ago with “Take A Little Trip” SCCD 31750 examining songs associated with Minnie Riperton, which was highly acclaimed by critics and public alike. Palmer here on this his 5th album on the label pays tribute to the artistry of Janell Monáe, a six-time Grammy nominated American psychedelic soul and R & B singer-songwriter. What a novel idea—refurbish songs associated with Minnie Riperton into modern jazz explorations. Fortunately, trumpeter Jason Palmer steered clear from the novelty route on this exquisite disc by mapping out a far richer path, marked by subtle interplay, elliptical phrasing and daring arrangements.” (John Murph – DownBeat on “Take A Little Trip” SCCD 31750)

Three

It is of certain significance to think of the fact that Martin Jacobsen was born and grew up in Copenhagen which has been arguably the European capital of jazz. Martin basically taught himself jazz at the age of 19 in this richly jazz-orientated city. He later moved to Paris, another European hot-spot of jazz. Like Jacobsen’s well-received SteepleChase debut album “Current State” SCCD 31548 this live recording from Copenhagen’s JAZZHOUSE features Doug Raney on guitar. "Martin Jacobsen, Danish saxophone star with a rich and smooth sound, well confirmed in the Coltrane tradition. Doug Raney, American guitarist launched by the Chet Baker Trio, the excellent descendant of the highly distinguished Jimmy Raney. Two acclaimed musicians both evolving in an aesthetic of their own which are not necessarily similar. The result, performed with a quartet de luxe, has chances to surprise many a listener!" Jazzman, France