Gregory Tardy – Monuments (SCCD 31725)

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)

1. Dust Groove (Gregory Tardy)
2. Monuments (Gregory Tardy)
3. The Oil Of Gladness (Gregory Tardy)
4. My Romance (Richard Rodgers)
5. Nonpersons (Gregory Tardy)
6. Image Of Jealousy (Gregory Tardy)
7. Dry Seasons (Gregory Tardy)
8. Never Let Me Go (Jay Livingston/Ray Evans)
9. Power Of Weakness (Gregory Tardy)
10. The Plain-clothed King (Gregory Tardy)

UPC/EAN: 716043172528

Jason Palmer – Here Today (SCCD 31724)

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 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 .”

1. Here Today Gone Yesterday (Jason Palmer)
2. Abu Abed (Jason Palmer)
3. 3rd Shift (Jason Palmer)
4. Takes Courage To Be Happy (Jason Palmer)
5. Skylark/I Can't Help It (Hoagy Carmichael/Stevie Wonder/Susaye Greene)
6. 3 Point Turn (Jason Palmer)
7. Capricorn (Wayne Shorter)

UPC/EAN: 716043172429

Vic Juris – Listen Here (SCCD 31723)

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)

1. Listen Here (Eddie Harris)
2. Victim (Vic Juris)
3. My Shining Hour (Harry Arlen)
4. Only The Lonely (Jimmy Van Heusen)
5. Southside (Vic Juris)
6. Eddie Who (Vic Juris)
7. Turquoise (Vic Juris)
8. Israel (Johnny Carisi)
9. Sun Burn (Vic Juris)
10. Empty Pages (Steve Windwood)

UPC/EAN: 716043172320

Jack Walrath – Forsooth! (SCCD 31722)

Mark Gardner in his linernotes 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)

Ballroom

“ 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

1. A Fog Sets In Vienna (Jack Walrath)
2. Pavlov's Cat (Jack Walrath)
3. Espionage (Jack Walrath)
4. Slightly After Midnight (Jack Walrath)
5. The Resurrection Machine (Jack Walrath)
6. Holy Smoke (Jack Walrath)
7. High Plains Riffer (Jack Walrath)
8. Yet, A Tear Tells Its Tale … (Jack Walrath)
9. Mescalito's Birthday (Jack Walrath)
10. I Lost My Mind In San Bernadino (Jack Walrath)

UPC/EAN: 716043172221

Christian Winther – From The Sound Up (SCCD 31721)

SCCD 31721 Christian Winther

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)

1. From The Sound Up (Christian Winther)
2. Mila's Bounce (Christian Winther)
3. Monkey Puzzle (James Black)
4. Skylark (Hoagy Carmichael)
5. Jayne (Ornette Coleman)
6. Local Legends (Christian Winther)
7. Patience In Action (Christian Winther)
8. Tune For Trane (Christian Winther)

UPC/EAN: 716043172122

Tom Guarna – Bittersweet (SCCD 31720)

For his 5 th leader album Tom Guarna selects his favourite titles from the bop repertoire. Backed by pianist Peter Zak who is well versed in bop and Zak's regular trio, bassist Paul Gill and drummer Willie Jones, Guarna achieves brilliant results with authenticity and creativity.

“… Peter (Zak) shares with Tom a love and familiarity with the bop repertoire and has great admiration for such players from the genre as George Wallington, Bud Powell and Elmo Hope. Not forgetting hornmen like Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. All those men were products of the well-spring of music that signalled an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, surge towards a fresh course .” (Mark Gardner from the linernotes)

1. Crazy (Elmo Hope)
2. Bouncing With Bud (Bud Powell)
3. I Never Knew (Ted Fio Rito)
4. Ugly Beauty (Thelonious Monk)
5. Solar (Miles Davis)
6. Ghost Of A Chance (Victor Young)
7. Moments Notice (John Coltrane)
8. Bittersweet (Sam Jones)
9. Little B's Poem (Bobby Hutcherson)
10. Why Don't I (Sonny Rollins)

UPC/EAN: 716043172023

Vincent Gardner – The Good Book Chapter Two (SCCD 31719)

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 .”

1. A Servant Of The People (Marcus Roberts)
2. Calypso (Kenny Barron)
3. 466-64 (Freedom Fighters) (Jeremy Pelt)
4. Speak Low (Kurt Weil)
5. Like A Son (Jimmy Heath)
6. Love Letters (Victor Young)
7. The Paper Chase (Anthony Wonsey)

UPC/EAN: 716043171927

Ron McClure – Dedication (SCCD 31718)

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 31 st 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)

1. L. A. L. (Ron McClure)
2. Cordiac Arrest (Ron McClure)
3. Weird Thang (Ron McClure)
4. Dedication (Ron McClure)
5. The Starter (Ron McClure)
6. Better Angerls (Ron McClure)
7. Speaking Of Giants (Ron McClure)
8. On Solid Ground (Ron McClure)
9. Somewhere Before (Ron McClure)
10. So, What's New? (Ron McClure)

UPC/EAN: 716043171828

Jesse Stacken, Kirk Knuffke – Orange Was The Color (SCCD 31717)

SteepleChase debut album by piano/trumpet duo of Kirk Kuffke 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.

1. Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love (Charles Mingus)
2. East Coasting (Charles Mingus)
3. Celia (Charles Mingus)
4. Peggy's Blue Skylight (Charles Mingus)
5. Moanin' (Charles Mingus)
6. Slippers (Charles Mingus)
7. Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress; Then Blue Silk (Charles Mingus)
8. So Long Eric (Charles Mingus)
9. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (Charles Mingus)
10. Ecclusiastics (Charles Mingus)
11. Dizzy Moods (Charles Mingus)

UPC/EAN: 716043171729

GinmanBlachman – Let’s Call Stephen Riley (SCCD 31716)

Denmark’s successful trio co-led by bassist Lenart 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)

1. You Don't Know What Love Is (Gene De Paul/Don Raye)
2. Cantaloupe Island (Herbie Hancock)
3. Yesterdays (Jerome Kern)
4. Love For Sale (Cole Porter)
5. Chelsea Bridge (Billy Strayhorn)
6. Misterioso (Thelonious Monk)
7. Caravan (Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol)
8. Blue In Green (Bill Evans)
9. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid (Lester Young)
10. Black And Tan Fantasy (Duke Ellington)

UPC/EAN: 716043171620