“…one of the loveliest recordings of this or any other year …” (Larry Kart, Chicago Tribune) “…filled with excellent performances this album will satisfy you completely…” (Takashi Kubota, Swing Journal) “…highly listenable for guitar enthusiasts, and those who prefer the lighter sounds in jazz.” (Nevil Skrimshire, Jazz Journal) Previously issued on SCCD 31118 & SCCD 31134

“...extremely charming main stream jazz..” (Swing Journal) “...quite dynamic and impressive modern jazz approach...it is too interesting a sample of Drew’s work to be allowed to escape unnoticed.” (M.J. Melody Maker, Dec. 4, 1976) “A valuable addition to the already extremely impressive series of albums Kenny Drew has recorded for SteepleChase over the last few years.” (M.S. Jazz Journal April 1976) Previously issued on SCCD 31016 & SCCD 31034

“Some might criticise that Dexter put out too many albums but this recording I cannot do without...” (Jyllandsposten) “...a thoroughly satisfying late-night-set.” (Michael Tucker, Jazz Journal International) Previously issued on SCCD 31224 & SCCD 31226

“ ...if you appreciate Bley’s quintessential lyricism and Lundgaard’s singing lines, this one and the other (Live Again SCCD 31230) are noteworthy albums...” (A.G., Compact, September 1989) “...The Rapport between Bley and Lundgaard is perfect...” (Birger Jørgensen, Aarhuus Stiftstidende) Previously issued on SCCD 31223 & SCCD 31230

“Admirable!” (Jazz Magazine) “..Miles Davis is not a notable enthusiast of singers, but one exception was Shirley Horn, a Washington-based improviser (on piano as well)...” (Nat Hentoff, Modern Recording & Music) Previously issued on SCCD 31257 & SCCD 31164

“Buck Hill is one of the most notable ‘regional’ jazzmen in America…” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz) “…the saxophonist is continuously improving…his contribution is ever convincingly superb..” (Jazz Magazine) Previously issued on SCCD 31160 & SCCD 31173

“…magnificent recording reveals grand moments of Bonner…” (Yves Sportis, Jazz Hot) “Bonner is an impressive modernist…a fine solo performer and an adventurous group leader…” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz) Previously issued on SCCD 31176 & SCCD 31182

“… ‘Trio’ maintains a high level of ingenuity throughout: it demonstrates again NHØP’s facility and invention and confirms his position as one of the top ranking bassist.” (Bill Henderson, Black Music & Jazz Review) “…an internally well-balanced ensemble, the constant interplay of their music being its main attraction…” (Max H., Jazz Journal) Previously issued on SCCD 31083 & SCCD 31093

Baritone saxophonists Gary Smulyan and Frank Basile reunite their powerhouse quintet for You Are The One, a vibrant follow up to Boss Baritones (SCCD 31963) that again showcases the rare chemistry between two masters of the instrument. Drawing on a mix of classic repertoire - Thad Jones, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie - and newly minted originals by both leaders, the album highlights the duo's deep command of bebop language, contrapuntal writing, and the propulsive blend only two baritones can create. Smulyan's witty muscular swing pair beautifully with Basile's lyrical clarity, while pianist Steve Ash, bassist Mike Karn, and drummer Aaron Seeber provide a responsive, hard driving foundation. You Are The One is a spirited, straight-ahead session that celebrates tradition with unmistakable joy. 'Boss Baritones is a fine example of how jazz praxes originating in the mid-to-late 20th century can-in the right hands-sound fresh and invigorating in the present day.' (David A. Orthmann - All About Jazz on SCCD 31963)

Drummer composer Steve Johns returns to SteepleChase with Extrasensory, his most fully realized statement since his acclaimed 2024 release Mythology (SCCD 31971). Reuniting the same core ensemble - guitarist John Hart, vibraphonist/harmonica player Monte Croft, pianist Greg Murphy, and bassist Joris Teepe - Johns builds on the band's deepening chemistry, now sharpened by the fiery presence of saxophonist Troy Roberts on select tracks. The program highlights Johns' dual gifts: modern, structurally inventive writing and dynamic, deeply musical drumming shaped by decades on the New York scene. Contrafacts, reharmonized standards, soulful vocals, and vibrant originals form a wide stylistic arc, from angular modern swing to luminous ballads and earthy shuffles. Throughout, Johns shapes textures and grooves with masterful clarity, guiding a group whose intuitive interplay truly earns the album's title. Extrasensory affirms Johns as a drummer leader of imagination and unmistakable voice. 'Mythology' is an album full of imagination, stories and some fantastic playing by this amazing lineup of world-class musicians.' (A Green Review on SCCD 31971)

Tenor saxophonist Matt Garcia makes a compelling SteepleChase debut with Three's Up, revealing a mature voice shaped by deep study, hard work, and a fast rising presence on the New York scene. A Texas native now at Juilliard, Garcia brings a blend of tradition with modern clarity that reflects his years in NYO Jazz (Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra), his award winning early career, and formative mentorship from artists such as Dave Pietro and Christian McBride. Joined by bassist Martin Wind and drummer Billy Drummond, he leads a vibrant trio through standards, bebop classics, and five originals that highlight his melodic focus and rhythmic drive. Pieces like 'White Silence' and 'Dance's Dance' showcase a young composer with a clear artistic identity. Three's Up introduces a tenor saxophonist whose expressive depth mark him as a significant new voice to watch.

Grammy-nominated pianist/composer Michael Eckroth makes his long-awaited SteepleChase debut as a leader with Contrafacto, joined by veteran bassist Ron McClure and dynamic drummer Steve Johns. Long recognized on the label as a versatile sideman, Eckroth steps forward with a program that highlights his refined touch, modern harmonic sense, and deep grounding in the jazz tradition. The trio explores originals and reimagined forms with clarity, swing, and understated fire, allowing Eckroth's melodic imagination to unfold in conversation with McClure's seasoned authority and Johns's responsive drive. Contrafacto introduces a mature, distinctive pianist whose writing and improvising balance structural elegance with spontaneity, marking a compelling new chapter in the SteepleChase piano trio lineage.

Spike Wilner makes a striking SteepleChase debut as a leader with Bird's Words, an album that distils the essence of Charlie Parker into something both reverent and freshly alive. Recorded in Paris with longtime colleagues Dmitry Baevsky, Yves Brouqui, Paul Gill, and Joe Strasser, the session embraces bebop's original discipline: concise, melodic soloing and a shared commitment to speaking Bird's language without modern embellishment. Wilner-steeped in the lineage of Walter Davis Jr., Jaki Byard, and Barry Harris-brings clarity and deep historical insight to every track. The band's tight interplay, crisp articulation, and unforced authority make Bird's Words a vibrant homage that reclaims the art of the concise, meaningful solo. A joyful celebration of Parker's enduring legacy.

Tenor saxophonist Andrew Rathbun and pianist Gary Versace-longtime collaborators on several acclaimed SteepleChase sessions-meet for the first time as a duo on Episodes, revealing a striking new dimension in their musical partnership. Versace's chameleon like ability to shift color, texture, and groove pairs seamlessly with Rathbun's ever evolving compositional voice, whose pieces here range from unmetered shapes to baroque tinged counterpoint and driving ostinati. The duo's interplay is vivid and deeply attuned: Versace favors linear, wriggling motion over harmonic cushions, while Rathbun's improvisations unfold with narrative clarity, balancing modern language with melodic focus. Across the surreal, atmospheric 'Episodes' series and the contrasting standalone works, the two push themselves into unfamiliar territory, crafting music that feels exploratory and quietly daring-an inspired debut for a duo with limitless potential. 'Rathbun is a unique voice on saxophone with a style and sound of his own.' (Ed Sapiega - Jazzview) 'All For Now (SCCD 31933) makes a solid case for what an all-around inventive player Gary Versace is. ' (DownBeat)

Guitarist/Composer Matt Panayides makes a compelling SteepleChase debut with Present Echoes, a vibrant quartet session featuring tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, bassist Steve LaSpina, and drummer Mark Ferber. Written in the wake of drummer Anthony Pinciotti's passing, the album presents a full program of originals shaped by reflection, momentum and deep musical heritage. Panayides' writing blends modern harmonic motion with spacious grooves, while the band's interplay highlights each member's individuality-Perry's open, lyrical sound, LaSpina's agile virtuosity, and Ferber's dynamic palette. From the expansive 'Midwestern Skies' to the powerful suite like 'Resist' and a heartfelt reading of Wayne Shorter's 'House of Jade,' Present Echoes introduces a jazz' lead guitar with mature, distinctive voice and a quartet unified by purpose, sensitivity, and forward looking energy. 'With a look back to classic Jazz guitar and a look forward to what awaits Jazz guitar, Matt Panayides provides the prism through which we may look in wonder.' (Travis Rogers, Jr. - The Jazz Owl)

Recipient of Village Voice Obie Award tenor saxophonist Vito Dieterle makes a striking SteepleChase debut with Nerve Case, presenting a warm, full bodied sound shaped by years on the New York scene and deep roots in Chicago's tenor tradition. For those of you who do not know much about Vito, here's some interesting excerpts from his website: After attending the prestigious New School Jazz program and freelancing around NYC, Vito began to perform weekly with his band every Sunday at Little Branch starting in early 2005 and soon went on to curate a 5-day a week live music program for the venue, which immediately went on to critical acclaim and exists to this day. He has now gone onto curate festivals and venues in New York and abroad. His working band of guitarist Kris Kaiser, bassist Griffin Fink, and drummer Aaron Seeber shares a rare chemistry that drives the album's mix of standards, jazz gems, and two originals. Dieterle's tone bold and clear leads the group's interplay to a conversational flow. From the Tristano tinged opener 'Split' to the soulful ballads and the bluesy title track, Nerve Case introduces a mature, distinctive voice and a ensemble sound built on shared musical purpose.

Drummer Makaya Ntshoko was born in 1939 in South Africa and had been an integral part of the famed Cape Town jazz scene before he moved to Switzerland in 1962. Since then Makaya has performed and recorded all over the world with a host of jazz luminaries such as Dexter Gordon, Don Cherry, Hugh Masakela, Dollar Brand, Weather Report, to mention a few. “Here is a magnificent milestone on Makaya’s lifetime journey through rhythm.” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

One Sunday in December 2018 bassist/composer/educator Ron McClure brought this - his relatively new group - to the studio (Chris Sulit’s Trading8 in NJ) to record his 17th leader album. McClure’s 30-year-old close collaboration with SteepleChase produced quite a few releases featuring new talents the bassist discovered. This is one of them, introducing Anthony Ferrara a new tenor star freshly out of NYU where McClure teaches. “…Under any circumstances this is quite thrilling and spell-binding music…” (Thorbjørn Sjøgren – JazzSpecial on “Ready Or Not” SCCD 31759)“All of (McClure’s) writing and playing comes from the heart – he is an instinctive player above all…” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD)

Russian-born American guitarist/composer Gene Segal has often been commented as unpredictable in his playing style and his composing. Ever evolving in search of new horizon Segal’s past 4 releases on SteepleChase have never failed to prove his boundless creativity. On this new album Segal teams up again with the #1 Hammond B3 organist Brian Charette, this time mostly on piano, to present a guitar/keyboard quartet where the guitar gets the role of lead voice. “Music that glows and grows.” (George W. Harris – Jazz Weekly on SCCD 33121 Matter)

“Fresh…exotic…and far beyond the ordinary” (The New York Times) is one of the numerous praises the world press bestowed upon Allegra since her debut album “Lonely City” (SCCD 33118) a few years ago. While Allegra Levy’s second album “Cities Between Us” (SCCD 31827) cemented her strong talent as a singer/songwriter, here on this her third album Allegra the singer steps up to the front interpreting time-tested as well as newer moon–themed songs. “Levy is a gifted lyricist and she writes often light thoughts and observations but from a personal point of view. Vocal fans should seek this out as Levy fills a spot that is fresh and rewarding in the pantheon of vocalists. A carefully produced CD full of rewards.” (Robert D. Rusch – Papatamas on SCCD 31827 Cities Between Us) “Levy is a fresh new voice, with songs steeped in the tradition and primed to join the canon.” (Jim Motavalli – New York City Jazz Record on SCCD 31827 Cities Between Us)

Pianist Greg Burk’s striking solo album “Clean Spring” (SCCD 33124) was recorded in Italy and released in March of 2016 to critical and public acclaim. “… Clean Spring will only further burnish his reputation as a deep player and thinker …. Burk’s musical mind is extremely rich and deep, with many crossing currents flowing through it …” (Budd Kopman - AAJ) “… the sustained complementary independence of Burk’s limbs borders on the preternatural. Piano recitals are a near quotidian exercise these days in the crowded jazz arena. Burk’s latest sortie in the idiom boldly stands out.” (Derek Taylor – Dusted Magazine) Here on this new trio album Michigan native Greg Burk pays musical homage to the city where he spent his formative years as a professional musician.