JazzTimes ‘s Owen Cordle remarked on Christian Winther’s previous SteepleChase Album “The Only Plan” SCCD 31585, “ It marks his rise as another promising tenor saxophonist among the ranks of well-schooled young jazz musicians”. On his third album on the label here Winther plays a soulful jazz vibrant with feeling and passion.

Special drummer-led album. While Elios Zigmund is best known for his long association with pianist Bill Evans in the 70s, he has been a major force both on the West Coast and NY scenes in the past few decades. “… Mr. Zigmund is more than merely well equipped for leadership, as he demonstrates so convincingly on this excellent session…” (Mark Gardner)

Piano - bass duo format has been a significant part of the SteepleChase label since its inception in the early 70s. Many of the “duo” albums have become the flagship of the label and this latest version with Harold Danko and Ron McClure will certainly be one of them. “… stimulating meeting of two razor-sharp musical minds.”(Mark Gardner).

Saxophonist Jed Levy took his group to the Kitano Hotel bar-lounge, one of the hippest live spots on Park Avenue in New York City to make this exciting live recording in September 2008. On Jed’s previous album “ Evans Exploration” SCCD 31648 Elliott Simon of Allaboutjazz wrote, “… Levy succeeds remarkably well through his own impressionistic gentle touch, …. This is a unique depiction of Evans' songbook.”

One his 10th leader album Ari Ambrose finds himself in his most comfortable and creative setting of a piano-less trio which reminds us of his formidable debut album “Introducing Ari Ambrose” (SCCD 31450). JazzTimes’ Will Smith commented on Ari’s previous CD “Whatever Happens” (SCCD 31617): “The word retro is almost too new-school when dealing with the stylistic expressions of tenor saxophonist Ari Ambrose. 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. If nothing else, he … (is) offering something different in what often seems to be a world of clones.

Following the successful e-motion (SCCD 31620) Rich Perry teams up with his quintessential group of 15 years - a quartet - pianist Danko, bassist Anderson and drummer Hirshfield. “…The openness and shared mission to make great music ensures that the nine tracks are all first-rate performances…. This CD is as good as it gets.” (Francis Lo Kee on “e-motion” in AllAboutJazz)

Pianist Stacken and trumpeter Knuffke are new faces on SteepleChase. Both joined the New York jazz scene relatively recent years (Stacken 2002 / Knuffke 2005). They rapidly established themselves as leaders and sidemen. Here on their SteepleChase debut the Duo succeeds in presenting an intriguing program of Monk & Ellington works.

A long-awaited “jazz” album by the great Ronnie Cuber - “… This new set is a prime of example of Cuber dealing with compositions he knows and appreciates. Material that stands up well to re-examination. He’s in good company and great form.” (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes)

“Wonderfully creative work from Pierre Dørge and his New Jungle Orchestra – a set that often features gentle, sensitive musical moments – although always handled with the sort of offbeat style we've come to expect from Dørge!” is the opening comment on Dørge’s previous album Whispering Elephants (SCCD 31652) by DUSTY Groove America. One month prior to the above studio recording Dørge and NJO gave a sold-out concert at the newly opened Royal Play House in Copenhagen, from which this latest album is compiled. The orchestra is enhanced by three international soloist: Sweden’s Josefine Cronholm on vocal, India’s Shashank Subramanyan on flutes and Dawda Jobarteh from Gambia on kora and vocal. Sartre’s immortal quote, “Jazz is like a banana—it has to be consumed on the spot,” may hold true in some instances, but this recording is a thing worth saving and savoring. (on SCCD 31632 Jazz Is Like A Banana, Steve Greenlee/Jazz Times)

Organist/pianist/composer Brian Charette (b. Nov. 24, 1972 in Meriden, Connecticut, USA) is the latest addition to the SteepleChase recording artist rostar. Charette moved to New York 15 years ago and has firmly established himself on the NY jazz scene being discribed as one of “the best of the new breed of B3 players” by Bill Milkowski of JazzTimes. His enormous talent both as performer and as composer is evident throughout this brilliant debut album.

Bassist/composer Ron McClure’s previous release “Soft Hands” (SCCD 31615) was an unusual drum-less trio setting about which Will Smith of JazzTimes wrote, “The quiet and easygoing togetherness of bassist Ron McClure’s Soft Hands, with tenor saxophonist Rich Perry and pianist George Colligan, will find listeners overlooking the absence of a drummer. …”. On this new recording the same group is expanded into a quartet with an addition of drummer, Billy Drummond who is met with immediate and unanimous enthusiasm (Ron McClure).

Peter Zak has admired and studied McCoy Tyner’s music for many years. On his fifth album he realizes his dream project of interpreting his idol. On his previous release “My Conception” (SCCD 31641), allaboutjazz’s Terrell Kent Holms wrote, “Zak plays with richness and fluidity, artfully blending the many colors on his palette to create bright landscapes. Zak plays with a confidence born of his undeniable skill. …Zak always makes the right choices, and audiences will continue to reap the benefits of hearing this wonderfully talented piano man.”

Congolese-Danish saxophonist/composer John Tchicai returns to SteepleChase after a long absence. As “God Father” or “Guru” of free jazz Tchicai has been active on the scene and studios but this first leader album in 22 years for the label features his striking sound on alto sax interpreting works by Monk.

For pianist/leader Harold Danko, the trio with Formanek on bass and Hirshfield on drums has been an essential vehicle for his resonant expression for the past several years. Thomas Conrad of JazzTimes comments on Danko trio’s release Times Remembered SCCD 31612, “For someone in the market for a jazz-piano recording, there are few safer investments than a Harold Danko album …. Every Danko recording I’ve ever heard has had clarity and depth and a specific reason to exist.”

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.

A sequel to Gerhardt’s successful first solo album All That I Have SCCD 31661 portraits the pianist/composer in deeply personal picture. “…, those who listened to and loved "All That I Have" will find further delightful satisfaction in encountering the nine parts that make up "Momentum". Together they embody the true essence of Bill's musical philosophy. (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes)