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.

The instrumentation of piano/organ/drums may be highly unusual but with Andy LaVerne and Gary Versace on the keyboards the format is a sure winner as their earlier collaboration in “All Ways” (SCCD 31569) – “(LaVerne and Versace) sound absolutely natural and complementing together….two equally appealing keyboard voices…” (Thomas Conrad – JazzTimes)

“In the jazz tradition, the jam session played and continues to play a vital role in the musical community. In that spirit, Steeplechase, a label built on tradition, has come up with a jam session series, pairing veteran players with up-and-comers as a way of spreading the word about musicians on the label.” (Matthew Miller – Allabout jazz).

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. …”

Our second jazz collection is deliberately easy listening; relaxing and enjoyable, with strong melodies and a gentle swing. Sinatra, Holliday, Ella, Nat and many more stars in possibly the ultimate fantasy night club programme! Relax into the small wee hours with numbers like Sweet Lorraine, or enjoy April in Paris, and dream a little dream with Armstrong.

Marcus Printup, Ryan Kisor and Joe Magnarelli, with their exciting work throughout this stimulating set, prove beyond question that the future of jazz trumpet is in good hands and is as diverse and intriguing as it was in the past. (Mark Gardner).

Allaboutjazz’s Elliott Simon remarked on LaSpina’s 2004 album “Remember When” “There can be something very special about a bassist-led session. Perhaps it is their knowledge of both time and melody that, when coupled with the rich emotional sound of their instrument, results in some of the most creative jazz….”

At this stage of his development, with more than 30 years' playing under his belt, Gerhardt is definitely his own man, compositionally and instrumentally. That is as it should be. First and foremost he considers himself a composer; Cotangent is an outlet for his creations to be heard. At the same time he has evolved his own playing to achieve a personal sound at the keyboard. (Mark Gardner from the liner notes)

Steeplechase producer Nils Winther’s interest in documenting spontaneous meetings of talented musicians deserves praise, demanding single takes and no rehearsals to keep the music fresh and the players on their toes. (Ken Dryden on Jam Session vol. 17 & 18 – allabout jazz)

On revewing the first volume of the Kitano live recordings (SCCD 31600) Matthew Miller of allaboutjazz commented: “…. Perry once again dazzles with his facility and impeccable taste and further asserts himself as one of the most gifted saxophonists of his generation.” Matthew Miller

Forrest Dylan Bryan of JazzTimes commented on the successful first volume SCCD 31623 “School of Tristano 1”: “… alto saxophonist Rasmussen …. pays tribute with an airy set of tunes written by Tristano, Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz ….. Rasmussen’s quartet updates and personalizes the sound, keeping the proceedings intimate as well as respectful.” -Forrest Dylan Bryant

“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. “ Matthew Miller (All about jazz) on Gregory Tardy’s “Truth” album (SCCD 31583)

Josef Woodard of allaboutjazz commented on Vincent Gardner’s Elbow Room album (SCCD 31580): “Gardner is an impressive, well-rounded trombonist, fleet and nimble in a boppish uptempo zone and blessed with vocalist-like expressivity when elegance is required …… He deserves the spotlight.”

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. …”

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.

On his first SteepleChase leader album bassist Scott Lee features two elite saxophonists of the younger generation: Loren Stillman and Andrew Rathbun. Originally from North Carolina Scott Lee has been a major player in New York scene for two decades and has been performing with Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Al Cohn, Anita O’Day, just to mention a few.

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)

Walrath calls this his first in 26 years on this label “Ballroom”, “…it’s swinging and you can dance to it..”… The way how jazz started. “Welcome back, Jack, to SteepleChase! It’s a terrific return, and listeners will want many more entries from this singular talent…” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

“In the jazz tradition, the jam session played and continues to play a vital role in the musical community. In that spirit, Steeplechase, a label built on tradition, has come up with a jam session series, pairing veteran players with up-and-comers as a way of spreading the word about musicians on the label.” (Matthew Miller/allaboutjazz - on Vol. 19)

“As long as there is jazz, jam sessions will continue to be the glue that holds the art form together. It’s a dyed-in-the-wool tradition in the music and a primary means by which it evolves. These conclaves of like-minded players draw enthusiastically on the best traits of the practice. The days when giants like Bean, Bags, Jaws and Jug frequented after hours haunts, blowing just for the fun of it and honing their craft into a distinctly American art form are past, but the vernaculars they shaped live on in these men and show that the handed down torch is definitely still burning bright.” (Derek Taylor /allabout jazz - on Vol. 6)

Since Dørge and his New Jungle Orchestra made an impressive “home coming-CD“ (Jazz Is Like A Banana SCCD 31636) last November, the orchestra has been touring extensively through the continents. The experience gave Pierre’s imaginative pen to put together “…another typical potpourri of the unexpected from a soloist, arranger, composer and band conductor beyond category. His musicians are loyal to his cause because they love his music…” (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes)