Chris Byars “New York City Jazz” (SCCD 31842)

SCCD 31842 Chris Byars “New York City Jazz” Chris Byars, the award winning alto saxophonist, composer, arranger, jazz historian and a 100% native New Yorker set out to “curate the state of jazz to create a sort of time capsule” (Chris Byars) for this new album. What Byars successfully presents here is the genuine creative …

Vic Juris “Eye Contact” (SCCD 31841)

SCCD 31841 Vic Juris “Eye Contact” Vic Juris has added another guitar trio masterpiece here on his ever-growing body of recorded works. Since his SteepleChase debut album “Night Tripper” SCCD 31353 of 1994, guitarist Vic Juris has been presenting unique musical universe of unassuming virtuosity and versatility, of which John Kelman of AllAboutJazz once pertinently …

Andy LaVerne “Faith” (SCCD 31840)

SCCD 31840 Andy LaVerne “Faith” Andy LaVerne continues to explore the path he set out with his previous critically acclaimed release “Genesis” (SCCD 31818), this time with an added voice in trumpet/flugelhorn by Alex Sipiagin as well as Mike Richmond’s overdubbed cello over his bass-line. As in the previous album all titles are new originals …

Harold Danko “Triple Play” (SCCD 31839)

SCCD 31839 Harold Danko “Triple Play” Harold Danko concludes his liner notes entitled “Arriving at The Unknown” on this “Triple Play” album, stating, “I hope … listeners of this CD are prepared to join us as we take off to undiscovered region.” Ever subtle and transcendent pianist/composer Danko and his congenial co-players Jay Anderson and …

Joel Weiskopf “The Message” (SCCD 31838)

SCCD 31838 Joel Weiskopf “The Message” On this second leader album for SteepleChase pianist/composer/educator Joel Weiskopf reunites his working band from the 80s which performed on fairly regular basis in and around Boston area. His “old band” sounds even greater here exploring the repertoire consisting mostly of Weiskopf’s newer challenging compositions. “A deeply personal musical …

Dick Oatts “Use Your Imagination” (SCCD 31837)

SCCD 31837 Dick Oatts “Use Your Imagination” Jazz critic Owen Cordle once described Dick Oatts as “an uncompromising jazz musician, one who possesses monster chops without trumpeting them.” Dick Oatts has, since his move to NYC in the late 70s, been one of the most sought-after soloists on alto sax on both the NY scene …

Brian Charette “Backup” (SCCD 31836)

SCCD 31836 Brian Charette “Backup” One of New York’s (or rather World’s) top Hammond Organ players Brian Charette has kept us in anticipation of something new every time he goes into recording studios. His unique approach has deepened and expanded the boundaries of music that B-3 organ can create. Here again for his sixth release …

LeeAnn Ledgerwood “Renewal” (SCCD 31835)

SCCD 31835 LeeAnn Ledgerwood “Renewal” Since her SteepleChase debut with “Now And Zen” album (SCCD31432) of 1998 LeeAnn has been one of the front runners of women in jazz. Neither her earlier lengthy sick leave nor her current fragile physique could hinder her from releasing this strong album renewing and widening her creative scope. “Ledgerwood …

Mark Soskin “Hearts And Minds” (SCCD 31834)

SCCD 31834 Mark Soskin “Hearts And Minds” Pianist/composer Mark Soskin has been one of the leading players on the New York jazz scene for a number of years. Although Soskin’s name still is associated with Sonny Rollins with whom he worked more than a decade in the 80s and 90s, Mark has left his own …

Zaid Nasser “The Stroller” (SCCD 31833)

SCCD 31833 Zaid Nasser “The Stroller” Alto saxophonist/composer Zaid Nasser has been perfectly pedigreed as a jazz musician, having the legendary bassist Jamil Nasser as the father and growing up surrounded by the elite players of the New York jazz scene. Zaid has performed with Cecil Payne, Junior Cook, Joe Hendricks, Harold Mabern, among others, …