Like his mentor Von Freeman, trumpeter Brad Goode has been a star player in the Chicago scene for quite some time. Though classically trained in violin, trumpet and contrabass and with Bachelor and Master degrees in music, Brad Goode learned and shaped his style as jazz musician by performing with numerous local musicians in Chicago including his partner on this recording legendary saxophonist/trumpeter Ira Sullivan. This is Brad Goode’s first CD on SteepleChase.

Rich Perry is undoubtedly one of the most original voices on tenor saxophone today. “Rich Perry continues to surprise us with his thoughtful, well shaped and passionate excursions. O Grande Amor is another of his CDs you will want to play repeatedly….” (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes)

Born in Warren, Ohio, LeeAnn Ledgerwood began studying piano at the age of four. She received intensive classical training which included four years of study with renowned concert pianist Grant Johanessen. After completing her college training at Berklee in Boston, she moved to New York City. Since the early 80s LeeAnn Ledgerwood has been one of the most sought after musicians both on the New York and international scenes. In addition to leading her own groups, she has had longstanding collaboration with such top musicians as Red Mitchell, George Mraz, Eddie Gomez, Jeremy Steig to mention only a few. She has toured as a featured soloist in the Eddie Gomez group in Europe and the United States. Her trio was featured at the 1999 JVC Festival in New York City. LeeAnn Ledgerwood is also a dedicated teacher and is the recipient of Distinguished University Teaching Award of 1997 from the New School where she teaches jazz piano and composition courses.

A brilliant sequel to the highly acclaimed Standard Issue (SCCD 31439) of 1998, this volume has a welcome addition of pianist Harold Danko on three of the five tracks. In the warm atmosphere of live house, the band gets extra energy from the appreciative audiences. Dick Oatts’ personal sound on alto sax (and tenor sax on one track) is once again a real treat for all listeners.

Lee Konitz, at seventy something, is one of the most active jazz musicians, not just for his age but simply active, period. He is constantly on the road or in the studios with insatiable appetite for performing. On this date the veteran is surrounded by three Young Lions as Lee calls them. Though they had never played together before, the mutual respect and appreciation were apparent as the session progressed. “Pride” is Lee Konitz’ 11th entry on SteepleChase.

Ari Ambrose with this his third CD is no longer a new comer who need an introduction. Although he is still young (26) and relatively new on the scene, there is no doubt that here is an artist with tremendous potential. As his former teacher saxophonist Dick Oatts puts it, “ Of all the young talents, his is the one that has given me the most pleasure… a great player…. He’s truly immersed himself in the music in the best possible way…” “In this impressive leader debut, tenor saxophonist Ari Ambrose steps to the fore as a fully formed stylist … At 26, the brash New Yorker is a master of his horn…” (Chuck Berg, JazzTimes)

Trumpeter Louis Smith’s formative period as a jazz performer some 50 years ago was in the midst of developing/establishing stage of Bebop. Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro and Clifford Brown are the greatest influence on Louis Smith’s trumpet style. Here on his first release in the new millennium Louis is joined by some of the best bebop players of the younger generation.

Trumpeter Louis Smith’s formative period as a jazz performer some 50 years ago was in the midst of developing/establishing stage of Bebop. Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro and Clifford Brown are the greatest influence on Louis Smith’s trumpet style. Here on his first release in the new millennium Louis is joined by some of the best bebop players of the younger generation.

Pianist Michael Cochrane displays here his deep appreciation and understanding of great saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter’s music of the 60s. The 73 minutes of Shorter melodies are performed with great sensitivity, imaginations and dexterity by one of the best jazz piano trios today. “Cochrane is a mature and imaginative pianist with a delicate touch and deep harmonic resources…” (Dave Gelly, Gramophone Jazz Good CD Guide)

“Temperament” is Tony Purrone’s fourth entry on SteepleChase label and is an aptly entitled one. As writer Mark Gardner puts it in the liner notes, “Guitarist Tony Purrone possesses temperament in the most positive sense. Gregarious, fast-talking and straight-dealing, Tony is proud of his Italianate background and takes similar pride in striving to play to his full capability at all times….”

“A keen technician” who loves “to vary the pace on all of his own albums” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz On CD), Vic Juris chose here on this his latest recording for SteepleChase the spare and challenging trio format. Together with his long time friends and partners bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Jeff Hirshfield, Juris found a new artistic horizon. “The outcome is arguably Vic’s most powerful and compelling series of jazz statements, summing up his 35 years’ involvement with the guitar.” (Mark Gardner -linernotes

“Somebody find this guy a high profile gig!” was how Willard Jenkins set out to review Colligan’s earlier release “Stomping Ground “ (SCCD 31441) in the December 99 issue of JazzTimes. George Colligan is undoubtedly one of the most exciting pianists on the scene today. And the high profile gigs are pouring in. One of those gigs took him to Copenhagen early this year giving SteepleChase a chance to team him up with one of the best Danish bassists of the younger generation Jesper Bodilsen. The meeting of the two hugely talented musicians produced an electrifying album. A new DUO was born!

Dave Stryker, who is ever striving to meet a new challenge, re-examines here on his 12th album on the label, the impact of Miles Davis’ music from the late 60s. Based on the sound and format of Miles’ “Bitches Brew” period, Stryker creates intriguing music of his own. In the linernotes, renowned tenorman David Liebman comments,”…Dave Stryker and his band have created a wonderful and joyous palette of sound for you to enjoy with the ghost of the Prince of Darkness looming in the shadows. I could imagine Miles listening and voicing his approval of this recording. Enjoy!!” Dave Stryker, who is ever striving to meet a new challenge, re-examines here on his 12th album on the label, the impact of Miles Davis’ music from the late 60s. Based on the sound and format of Miles’ “Bitches Brew” period, Stryker creates intriguing music of his own. In the linernotes, renowned tenorman David Liebman comments,”…Dave Stryker and his band have created a wonderful and joyous palette of sound for you to enjoy with the ghost of the Prince of Darkness looming in the shadows. I could imagine Miles listening and voicing his approval of this recording. Enjoy!!” Dave Stryker, who is ever striving to meet a new challenge, re-examines here on his 12th album on the label, the impact of Miles Davis’ music from the late 60s. Based on the sound and format of Miles’ “Bitches Brew” period, Stryker creates intriguing music of his own. In the linernotes, renowned tenorman David Liebman comments,”…Dave Stryker and his band have created a wonderful and joyous palette of sound for you to enjoy with the ghost of the Prince of Darkness looming in the shadows. I could imagine Miles listening and voicing his approval of this recording. Enjoy!!” Dave Stryker, who is ever striving to meet a new challenge, re-examines here on his 12th album on the label, the impact of Miles Davis’ music from the late 60s. Based on the sound and format of Miles’ “Bitches Brew” period, Stryker creates intriguing music of his own. In the linernotes, renowned tenorman David Liebman comments,”…Dave Stryker and his band have created a wonderful and joyous palette of sound for you to enjoy with the ghost of the Prince of Darkness looming in the shadows. I could imagine Miles listening and voicing his approval of this recording. Enjoy!!”

Japan’s leading jazz magazine Swing Journal hailed Dave Ballou on his SteepleChase debut CD (SCCD 31436 Amongst Ourselves) by saying “…here comes a new artist with solid beautiful sound and tremendous imagination and technique who can tell his own story…” But it also said, “…if you are not used to this type (free) of music, you may find it hard to follow…” - not on this his third release under his own name. Dave Ballou chose a quartet format with piano (George Colligan) and, besides his own compositions, some of the popular titles from the jazz repertoire letting us know that he belongs to a tradition.

With his quartet of almost 10 years’ close working relationship, Harold Danko gets the chance to engage his talent both as performer and as composer to the fullest. In this latest album composer Harold Danko invites us into his impressionistic night. “Harold Danko’s Nightscapes are drawn with insight and beauty and with his own distinctive touch of mystery….” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes.)