Anders Mogensen – Just Another Day At The Office (SCCD 33110)

SCCD 33110 Anders Mogensen Quartet “Just Another Day At The Office”

SteepleChase LookOut release # 10 here features one of the best drummers Denmark has to offer from the younger generation, Anders Mogensen who studied at Berklee School Of Music (1990 – 1992) in Boston and graduated from the Danish Rhythmic Conservatory with Master Degree in music in 1996. Anders has been a most sought-after musician and an influential figure in European jazz scene performing with Brecker Brother, Bob Berg, Gary Thomas, Rick Margitza, Steve Swallow, Tim Hagans to mention a few.

Anders Mogensen Quartet went into a studio after a successful month-long tour in Scandinavia early 2013 to record this album presented here.

1. Daikan-Yama (Anders Mogensen)
2. Carmine's (Anders Mogensen)
3. This Is New (Kurt Weil)
4. Legacy (Anders Mogensen)
5. Copley Place (Anders Mogensen)
6. You Don't Know What Love Is (Gene DePaul, Don Raye)
7. Paris (Anders Mogensen)
8. Katowice Renewed (Anders Mogensen)
9. The Certificate (Anders Mogensen)

UPC/EAN: 716043311026

Burak Bedikyan – Circle of Life (SCCD 33109)

SCCD 33109 Burak Bedikyan Quartet “Circle of Life”

Burak Bedikyan is a burgeoning jazz pianist/composer from Turkey, one unlikely jazz country in spite of the nation’s historical and cultural heritage which is close to the Western world.

Classically trained Bedikyan was introduced to jazz though workshop in modern theory conducted by Aydin Esen, a widely respected Turkish jazz pianist and composer in 1996. Since then Bedikyan has thrived in jazz and here his development culminates in this debut album in collaboration with three supburb American jazz artists: Chris Potter (sax), Peter Washington (bass) and Bill Stewart (drums).

“….his music sits at the gateway of East and West, opening a window into his native culture, and helping to raise the profile of yet another nation on the jazz stage ….” (Neil Tesser from the liner notes)

1. First Steps (Burak Bedikyan)
2. Here, There, Everywhere (John Lennon / Paul McCartney)
3. Do You Still Have Hope? (Burak Bedikyan)
4. For Old Times Sake (Burak Bedikyan)
5. Prayer For Forgiveness Part 1: Delusion (Burak Bedikyan)
6. Prayer For Forgiveness Part 2: Serenity (Burak Bedikyan)
7. Joy Of Giving (Burak Bedikyan)
8. TF (for Tommy Flanagan) (Burak Bedikyan)
9. Intro (Burak Bedikyan)
10. Melancholia (Burak Bedikyan)
11. Circle Of Life (Burak Bedikyan)
12. 19.01.2001 (in the memory of Hrant Dink) (Burak Bedikyan)

UPC/EAN: 716043310920

Rotem Sivan – Enchanted Sun (SCCD 33108)

SCCD 33108 Rotem Sivan Trio ”Enchanted Sun”

Israeli-born guitarist Rotem Sivan, who is a strong new voice on the NY jazz scene, makes his CD debut on SteepleChase Lookout. Rotem is a recipient of Montreux Jazz Festival International Competition prize in 2009. While completing his studies at Tel Aviv University and NY’s New School University Rotem has already been a much sought-after young player in the international festivals and concerts circuit.

1. Here With You (Rotem Sivan)
2. There Without (Rotem Sivan)
3. Rodent's Blues (Rotem Sivan)
4. Isn't It Romantic (Rotem Sivan)
5. Scene #5 (Rotem Sivan)
6. How Long Has This Been Going On? (George Gershwin)
7. Keep Breathing (Rotem Sivan)
8. Enchanted Sun (Rotem Sivan)
9. Sun Song (Rotem Sivan)

UPC/EAN: 716043310821

Joe Manis – North by Northwest (SCCD 33107)

SCCD 33107 Joe Manis Trio”North By Northwest”

SteepleChase’s new recording artist Joe Manis (saxophone) has originally established himself in Northwest – Oregon, though his active performing career reaches East Coast of USA and European cities as well. Manis’ SteepleChase debut album features pianist/organist George Colligan who currently resides in Portland, Oregon. Manis finds in this organ trio the ideal stage to displays his intense yet sophisticated music.

Manis is the recipient of 2013 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship.

1. Suspect (Joe Manis)
2. Pennies From Heaven (Arthur Johnston)
3. I Can't Get Started (Vernon Duke)
4. Cheek To Cheek (Irving Berlin)
5. Final (Joe Manis)
6. How High The Moon (Morgan Lewis / Nancy Hamilton)
7. Pyramid Song (Radiohead)
8. Brilliant Corners (Thelonious Monk)
9. L (Joe Manis)
10. There Will Never Be Another You (Harry Warren)

UPC/EAN: 716043310722

Yvonnick Prené – Jour de Fête (SCCD 33106)

SCCD 33106 Yvonnick Prené ”Jour de Fête”

Yvonnick Prené, French-born, New York-based, young (29) virtuoso on the chromatic harmonica

presents his much-awaited CD debut on SteepleChase LookOut. While still studying at City College of New York and New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Yvonnick was already establishing himself as a highly acclaimed artist performing in USA and Europe.

“…. we find a young phenom determine to take the harmonica to a new sense of melodic intensity, dynamic tension and improvisational techniques missing from the instrument on a consistent basis for years…Jour de Fête is a happy record, brimming with an effervescent quality that accentuates the sublime artistic gift of Prené…In short, Prené is the real deal ….” (Brent Black – CriticalJazz.com)

1. Obsessions (Yvonnick Prené)
2. Thais (Yvonnick Prené)
3. Never Let Me Go (Jay Livingston / Ray Evans)
4. Satellite (John Coltrane)
5. As Night Falls (Yvonnick Prené)
6. Con Alma (Dizzy Gillespie)
7. Home (Yvonnick Prené)
8. A Billion Stars (Yvonnick Prené)
9. Nobody Else But Me (Jerome Kern)
10. Escale (Yvonnick Prené)
11. Jour De Fête (Yvonnick Prené)

UPC/EAN: 716043310623

JP Schlegelmilch – Throughout (SCCD 33105)

SCCD 33105 JP Schlegelmilch “Throughout – The Music of Bill Frisell”

Pianist/accordionist/composer JP Schlegelmilch is the featured member of Old Time Musketry which has just made its CD debut on SteepleChase LookOut (“Different Times” SCCD 33101).

Jon Ross of Downbeat bestowed four stars on the album speaking highly of Schlegelmilch’s compositional skills.

On this his solo debut JP explores the musical universe of the iconic composer/guitarist Bill Frisell with whom JP shares the evocative edge in contemporary American music.

. Child at Heart/Beautiful E (Bill Frisell)
. Deep Dead Blue (Bill Frisell)
. Hangdog (Bill Frisell)
. Jimmy Carter Pt. 2 (Bill Frisell)
. Monica Jane (Bill Frisell)
. Rag (Bill Frisell)
. Resistor (Bill Frisell)
. This Land (Bill Frisell)
. Throughout (Bill Frisell)
. Twenty Years (Bill Frisell)

UPC/EAN: 716043310524

Chris Byars – Jasmine Flower (SCCD 31773)

SCCD 31773 Chris Byars “Jasmine Flower”

Chris Byars saxophone/composer/arranger leads his group in various formats including a quintet as in this album with guest instrumentalists (his father James Byars on English horn and his fiancée Mine Sadrazam on piano). Chris could be dubbed “Jazz Ambassador” conducting cultural exchange programs in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Balkans for the U.S. Department of State since 2007.

While his previous three albums were highly creative tributaries to jazz’s true heroes: Freddie Redd, Lucky Thompson and Gigi Gryce, this new album is a superb collection of Chris’s original compositions many of which are depicting diverse cultures of the world.

“… Byars’ treatment of these songs will help attract more artists and listeners to Lucky's work. Until then, consider yourself lucky to enjoy this excellent release .”

(Ken Hohman – Freedom Jazz Dance on Lucky Strikes Again SCCD )

1. Shhh…. It's A Library (Chris Byars)
2. Say You'll Stay (Chris Byars)
3. Mustang (Chris Byars)
4. I Know It's You (Chris Byars)
5. Jasmin Flower (Chris Byars)
6. Lucky Swing (Chris Byars)
7. The Wind On The Bridge (Chris Byars)
8. Rose Water (Chris Byars)
9. Bye, Sandy (Chris Byars)
10. Song From Morocco (Chris Byars)

UPC/EAN: 716043177325

Jed Levy – Italian Suite (SCCD 31772)

SCCD 31772 Jed Levy Quartet “The Italian Suite”

In the past two decades saxophonist Jed Levy has been the stalwart of New York jazz scene leading his own group or performing with such luminaries as Jaki Byard, Junior Mance, Eddie Henderson, Jack Walrath, Kevin Mahogany, Tom Harrell, among other.

On this his 7 th SteepleChase release Jed Levy the composer takes the center stage and presents an album-length suite with each section relating to Jed’s impression of Italy where he made numerous trips and gave concerts.

“ Very Impressive and about as inventive a departure from the standard tenor-and –rhythm conventions as one can hope for….a first-class session .” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz On CD Sleight Of Hand SCCD 31383

1. The Road to Rome (Jed Levy)
2. Ligurian Sea (Jed Levy)
3. The Models of Milan (Jed Levy)
4. Dado's Visit (Jed Levy)
5. Daniela (Jed Levy)
6. Giuseppe's Borgo (Jed Levy)
7. Toscana (Jed Levy)
8. Bari Blues (Jed Levy)
9. Palermo (Jed Levy)
10. Dogs of War (Jed Levy)

UPC/EAN: 716043177226

Peter Zak – The Eternal Triangle (SCCD 31771)

SCCD 31771 Peter Zak Trio "The Eternal Triangle”

Peter Zak’s penchant and artistry for trio format has produced an impressive series of piano trio albums all of which have enjoyed superlative critical acclaims all over the world. Here on this latest release with the fitting album title Peter Zak delivers once again his trademark intelligent art of piano trio performance.

“You can’t help but be drawn in by his deep swing, mastery of tempo, horn-like phrasing, orchestrative savoir faire, and ability to conjure melodic pathways through harmonic thickets.” ( Ten Panken – DownBeat on “Down East – SCCD 31715)

1. I Believe In You (Frank Loesser)
2. A Body At Rest (Peter Zak)
3. A Weaver Of Dreams (Victor Young)
4. Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye (Cole Porter)
5. The Walk-Up (Peter Zak)
6. The Eternal Triangle (Sonny Stitt)
7. I'll Keep Lovin' You (Bud Powell)
8. Hittin' The Jug (Gene Ammons)
9. The Hymnotist (Bill Mobley)
10. George Washington (Peter Zak)

UPC/EAN: 716043177127

Ari Ambrose – Settling In (SCCD 31770)

SCCD 31770 Ari Ambrose Quartet ”Settling In”

Ari Ambrose, since his recording debut as leader on SteepleChase’s “Introducing Ari Ambrose” (SCCD 31450) some 15 years ago, has maintained his musical perspectives of modernism on tradition and has polished them to perfection on this new album.

“… 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, … offering something different in what often seems to be a world of clones.” (Will Smith – JazzTimes on Whatever Happens SCCD 31617)

“ Ari Ambrose's Waiting (Steeplechase 31560) is totally lacking in pretension. An exceptional example of mainstream modern jazz, …” (David Franklin-JazzTimes)

1. Fun x 4 (Ari Ambrose)
2. Country Living (Ari Ambrose)
3. How Deep Is The Ocean (Irving Berlin)
4. I Remember You (Victor Schertinger)
5. Hope And Cope (Ari Ambrose)
6. Midnight Moments (Ari Ambrose)
7. Polkadots And Moonbeams (Jimmy Van Heusen)
8. Airegin (Sonny Rollins)

UPC/EAN: 716043177028