Winner of the Kennedy Center's Mary Lou Williams Piano Competition, pianist Helen Sung makes her SteepleChase debut here with her “Rolls-Royce” rhythm section consisting of Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums to showcase her original and adept sense of (re) concepting jazz standards and beyond.

SteepleChase debut album by piano/trumpet duo of Kirk Knuffke and Jesse Stacken interpreting tunes by Ellington and Monk recorded live (SCCD 31677 “Mockingbird”) prompted Derek Taylor of Master of a Small House to comment, “…They rightly take clever liberties with the tunes, …. Most importantly, they take their time with the pieces and that unhurried pace pays huge dividends in the amount of space it opens up for the repartee….. as Stacken notes in the notes, a few mistakes occur, but damn if they don’t matter a whit when the give and take that surrounds them is this good.” Their second album here is dedicated to the compositions by Charles Mingus.

Peter Zak continues his high quality trio recordings, this time, with bassist and Zak’s old friend Peter Washington and Rodney Greene on drums providing a strong new entry to his impressive discography. Thomas Conrad of JazzTimes wrote on Zak’s earlier release “Seed of Sin” (SCCD 31641): “To “get” Zak, you have to pay close attention. The surfaces of his music seem conventional until you notice how imaginatively his improvisations are developed, and how intelligently they tie. Zak invariably comes upon lovely notes you never anticipated … ” On Zak’s solo album “My Conception” (SCCD 31619) Terrell Kent Holmes of AAJ commented “Zak always makes the right choices, and audiences will continue to reap the benefits of hearing this wonderfully talented piano man”.

For this new recording bassist Steve LaSpina put together a quartet in order to create a quieter and lyrical instrumentation with his new compositions.

To cut this new album tenor saxophonist Stephen Riley brings his quartet from the highly successful previous release “El Gaucho” (SCCD 31682), “one of my top listening experience of the year” (Derek Taylor – Bagatellen) back to studio. “…Playing jazz is not simply about mood, emotion, creativity; it has technical aspects which can be frustrating. But on the Lucky Seven date, Stephen and horn were on song, as a reliable reed did its job to perfection and a further challenging chapter in the musical Life of Riley was written.” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

Chris Byars - saxophone/composer/arranger in continuing his pursuit of tapping into the rich musical legacy of unsung heroes of jazz pays tribute this time to Lucky Thompson. “Chris Byars, who leads an octet through the enclosed tribute to the compositional achievements of Thompson, studied Lucky's canon with the same love and understanding that he has brought to the music of Gigi Gryce, Teddy Charles and Jimmy Cleveland…… I hoped that Lucky's spirit was hearing it too, for he had good reason to feel pride in this creative music.” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

Bassist/Composer/Bandleader Ron McClure eargerly took the challenge of combining two of the most exciting tenor saxophonists on the NY scene today: Rich Perry and Stephen Riley. McClure notes, “I paid special attention to Stephen Riley’s soft, melodic qualities, which are his signature. Stephen is truly a unique voice in today’s jazz scene, and utilizing his most personal musical qualities was top priority for me when choosing this material. Rich Perry is amazing! He can play anything and everything, and is as creative as a soloist as anyone on his instrument today. Rich Perry shines brightly, as always… ” “… Soft Hands (SCCD31615) signals his 31st session for SteepleChase as either leader or sideman. That’s an impressive run and this session contains new evidence as to why the Danish label holds his prowess in such high esteem”, (Derek Taylor, Jazz Bagatellen)

Trombonist/arranger/bandleader Vincent Gardner compiles the second chapter to follow the successful The Good Book Chapter One (SCCD 31616) which prompted Andrew Hovan of All About Jazz to comment; “... trombonist Vincent Gardner is a very likely candidate for the category of talent seeing of wider recognition… This, of course, elevates the recital beyond your typical tribute album and bodes well for Gardner’s further development as an individual with something important to say.”

Danish-born New Orleans tenor saxophonist Christian Winther invites Roman Skakun, young rising star on vibraphone from New Orleans to his band to create a special sound for this latest album. Jon Barron of AllAboutJazz commented on Winther’s previous release Soul House (SCCD 31633), “Soul House is full of feel-good moments, memorable themes and intuitive ensemble interplay. With it, Winther and crew deliver an exceptional set of accessible, mainstream jazz”. “Winther emigrated from his native Denmark, studied jazz at the University of New Orleans and now resides in the Crescent City. This album reflects his adoption of and adaptation to the local musical culture. It marks his rise as another promising tenor saxophonist among the ranks of well-schooled young jazz musicians. The feeling of this album is bright and sunny.” (Owen Cordle – JazzTimes on The Only Plan, SCCD 31585)

Mark Gardner in his liner notes aptly sums up the new Walrath CD: “There is never a dull moment during the switches of mood. Jack performs with all his inventive powers full on, and, importantly, his writing, direction and presence draw wonderful responses from his colleagues.” “Jack Walrath not only displays tremendous trumpet playing, a rich and varied approach to composition and wonderful band, he also puts something into this fantastic CD that's missing from too much new jazz: a sense of fun and humor. That's not to say that it isn't sensitive and touching at times—"An Hour Blessed" is arguably as gorgeous as anything ever recorded. Musical food for thought with amazing jazz playing, this recording can't be praised highly enough”. (Francis Lo Kee of allaboutjazz on Ballroom, SCCD 31650) “Bottom line, Walrath’s chops and imagination are still intact. The dues-paying he’s done over the years only assures that date’s like this one will reliably come in well under par.” (Derek Taylor – master of a small house on Heavy Mirth, SCCD 31683)

Saxophonist/composer Gregory Tardy’s latest album reunites him with pianist George Colligan whom Tardy has collaborated on a number of remarkable recordings. Since his return to the active performing scene a couple of years ago Gregory Tardy is today a full time member of the elite jazz circle. “He sounds as if he’s physically wresting new possibilities and beauty from an earthbound, rock-encrusted framework. … 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 of JazzTimes on Strongest Love” SCCD 31698)

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)

Trumpeter/composer/arranger Jason Palmer was a new name when he recorded as sideman for Billy Hart album “Sixty-Eight” (SCCD 31707). He became SteepleChase recording artist last year with his brilliant “Nothing To Hide” album (SCCD 31699) backed by his Boston-based band. For his second album here Jason put together a new group featuring saxophonist Mark Turner of whom Jason remarks, “Mark Turner is one of the most influential non-trumpeters on my approach to improvisation.” and several up-and c-coming young jazz artists from the New York scene.

One year after her long-awaited comeback album (from a lengthy leave of absence due to illness) “Simple Truth” (SCCD 31705), pianist LeeAnn Ledgerwood compiled this latest album with 100% original material, showcasing her extraordinary talent as composer as well. Carlo Wolff of JazzTimes commented on “Simple Truth”, “Ledgerwood is not interested in impressing with technique and daring; hers is an artistry of nuance and emotional layering. ….. inviting album.” “… pianist Lee Ann Ledgerwood is part of an ever growing contingency of extremely talented jazz musicians of the female persuasion… and first crack at a piano trio record. Ultimately, it proves to be one of the best of its kind in recent memory. Simultaneously adventurous but also emotionally direct…” (C. Andrew Hovan, aaj on “Transition” SCCD 31468)

Chuck Berg of JazzTimes remarked several years ago, “SteepleChase producer Nils Winther apparently liked what he heard when first checking out George Colligan because he gave the pianist a chance to cultivate his original voice as a vital SteepleChase artist. …..Colligan shows signs of becoming one of the best pianists and composers of his generation.” Colligan indeed became “one of the brightest and most articulate new pianists on today’s scene”. With this 2011 album George begins a new collaboration with the label where he made his debut album “Activism” (SCCD 31382) 15 years ago.

Saxophonist Rich Perry has been a mainstay of the NY jazz scene for more than 30 years. Here on his 15th album Rich put together a piano-less trio with Jay Anderson on bass and Jeff Hirschfield on drums whom Rich describes as “two of my favourite musicians”. “Perry … dazzles with his facility and impeccable taste and further asserts himself as one of the most gifted saxophonists of his generation.” (Francis Lo Kee – AllAboutJazz)

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Brian Charette, hailed as the best of the new breed of B3 players” (Bill Milkowski of JazzTimes) brings here a new trio format with Mike DiRubbo on alto saxophone for his second outing for the label. Charette’s SteepleChase debut album “Upside” (SCCD 31678) met enthusiastic acclaims. Among others, “… he does have something valuable to say as evidenced by the pleasures and strengths indicative to this debut “ (Derek Taylor – Master of A Small House)

Denmark’s successful trio co-led by bassist Lennart Ginman and drummer Thomas Blachman invited Stephen Riley to be featured at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in the summer of 2010. Following a series of well-received live concerts at the Festival Riley, the American rising star on tenor, and the popular trio cut this brilliant album. “… His lushly-conceived tone and phrasing are instantly recognizable….” (Derek Taylor)

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The Legacy of Mary Lou Williams

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