Makaya Ntshoko – Happy House (SCCD 31651)

Drummer Makaya Ntshoko was born in 1939 in South Africa and had been an integral part of the

famed Cape Town jazz scene before he moved to Switzerland in 1962, Since then Makaya has performed all over the world with a host of jazz luminaries such as Dexter Gordon, Don Cherry, Hugh Masakela, Dollar Brand, Weather Report, to mention a few.

“ Here is a magnificent milestone on Makaya’s lifetime journey through rhythm .” (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes)

1. Humpty Dumpty (Ornette Coleman)
2. Open Or Close (Ornette Coleman)
3. Morning Song (Ornette Coleman)
4. One World (Makaya Ntshoko)
5. I'm Your Pal (Steve Swallow)
6. Bebbi (Makaya Ntshoko)
7. Happy House (Ornette Coleman)

UPC/EAN: 716043165124

Jack Walrath – Ballroom (SCCD 31650)

Jack Walrath calls this his first in 26 years on this label “Ballroom”, “… it’s swinging and you can dance to it ..”…the way how jazz started.

“ Welcome back, Jack, to SteepleChase! It’s a terrific return, and listeners will want many more entries from this singular talent …” (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes)

1. Hold My Bag, please! (Jack Walrath)
2. Bumpy (Jack Walrath)
3. (It's Not Easy) Bein' Green (Joe Raposo)
4. Nowhere Man (John Lennon / Paul McCartney)
5. Death Is Just Around The Corner Cha Cha Cha (Jack Walrath)
6. Heartbreak Hotel (Mae Boren Axton)
7. He Was Such A Nice Quiet Boy (Jack Walrath)
8. An Hour Blessed (Jack Walrath)
9. It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing (Duke Ellington)
10. I Can See Clearly Now (Bob Marley)
11. Impure Inspiration (Jack Walrath)

UPC/EAN: 716043165025

Scott Lee – One Thought (SCCD 31649)

For this his leader debut album New York City’s quintessential bassist Scott Lee features two of the elite saxophonists of the younger generation: Loren Stillman and Andrew Rathbun both of whom Scott has long been collaborating with.

Originally from North Carolina Scott Lee has been a major player in New York scene for two decades and has been performing with Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Al Cohn, Anita O’Day, just to mention a few.

1. A. R. (Scott Lee)
2. Thistle Dew (Scott Lee)
3. One Thought For Joe (Scott Lee)
4. Father's Day (Scott Lee)
5. Give It A Tri (Scott Lee)
6. Hymn For Aria (Scott Lee)
7. The Lope (Scott Lee)
8. Form And A Twist (Scott Lee)
9. Switch (Scott Lee)
10. Conversations (Scott Lee)
11. P.S. 11 (Scott Lee)

UPC/EAN: 716043164929

Jed Levy – Evans Explorations (SCCD 31648)

Jed Levy’s interpretation of Duke Ellington compositions released on “Mood Ellington” (SCCD —–) was well received by critics and listeners. On this latest CD Levy explores the extraordinary legacy of one of the most influencial pianists of our time, Bill Evans.

David Franklin of JazzTimes wrote on “Mood Ellignton”, “ Tenorist/flutist Jed Levy's Mood Ellington can be both admired and enjoyed for its imaginative reworkings of some lesser-known Duke Ellington compositions, all performed with skill and affection by a stellar quintet …”

1. Blue And Green (Bill Evans)
2. Very Early (Bill Evans)
3. Jazz Samba (Claus Ogerman)
4. Time Remembered (Bill Evans)
5. The Dolphin (Luiz Eca)
6. Laurie (Bill Evans)
7. 12 Tone Tune (Bill Evans)
8. Interplay (Bill Evans)
9. Re: Person I Knew (Bill Evans)
10. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (George Bassman)

UPC/EAN: 716043164820

Gregory Tardy – He Knows My Name (SCCD 31647)

“ Of the many stars to have emerged on the jazz horizon during the ‘90s, one of the most disciplined, emotive and perhaps underrated is the multifaceted Gregory Tardy.

….With this release, his first on SteepleChase, Tardy takes another step toward establishing himself as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation . “ Matthew Miller (All about jazz) on Gregory Tardy’s “Truth” album (SCCD 31583)

1. Christ The Redeemer (Jimmy Cleveland)
2. Lord Revive Us (traditional)
3. As The Deer (Martin Nystrom)
4. Holy Ghost Fall On Me (Sharp Radway)
5. He Cares (Eric Reed)
6. Amen (Jester Hairston)
7. Jordan River (traditional)
8. He Knows My Name (Thomas Walker)
9. Remember Me (traditional)

UPC/EAN: 716043164721

Vincent Gardner – Vin-Slidin’ (SCCD 31646)

Josef Woodard of allaboutjazz commented on Vincent Gardner’s Elbow Room album (SCCD 31580),“ Gardner is an impressive, well-rounded trombonist, fleet and nimble in a boppish uptempo zone and blessed with vocalistlike expressivity when elegance is required……..He deserves the spotlight .”

1. Teaneck (Nat Adderley)
2. Pensativa (Clare Fischer)
3. For Heaven's Sake (Meyer/Brown/Edwards)
4. Ko Ko (Charlie Parker)
5. Rocks In My Bed (Duke Ellington)
6. Wildflower (Wayne Shorter)
7. Just One Of Those Things (Cole Porter)

UPC/EAN: 716043164622

Rich Perry – At The Kitano 2 (SCCD 31645)

On revewing the first volume of the Kitano live recordings (SCCD 31600) Matthew Miller of allaboutjazz commented , “…. Perry once again dazzles with his facility and impeccable taste and further asserts himself as one of the most gifted saxophonists of his generation.”

1. My Shining Hour (Harry Arlen)
2. Love Walked In (George Gershwin)
3. Just In Time (Klenner/Lewis)
4. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma)
5. Wee (Denzil Best)

UPC/EAN: 716043164523

Eric Rasmussen – School Of Tristano 2 (SCCD 31644)

Forrest Dylan Bryan of JazzTimes commented on the successful first volume SCCD 31623 “School of Tristano 1” , “… Alto saxophonist Rasmussen …. pays tribute with an airy set of tunes written by Tristano, Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz. …..Rasmussen’s quartet updates and personalizes the sound, keeping the proceedings intimate as well as respectful .”

-Forrest Dylan Bryant

1. Earfull (Ronnie Ball)
2. Sound Lee (Lee Konitz)
3. Progression (Lee Konitz)
4. Line Up (Lennie Tristano)
5. Victory Ball (Lennie Tristano)
6. April (Lennie Tristano)
7. Marionette (Bill Bauer)
8. April Fool (Lennie Tristano)
9. Hi Beck (Lee Konitz)
10. Tautology (Lee Konitz)
11. Leave Me Alone (Eric Rasmussen)
12. Smog Eyes (Ted Brown)

UPC/EAN: 716043164424

Bill Gerhardt – Thrive (SCCD 31643)

At this stage of his development, with more than 30 years' playing under his belt, Gerhardt is definitely his own man, compositionally and instrumentally. That is as it should be. First and foremost he considers himself a composer; Cotangent is an outlet for his creations to be heard. At the same time he has evolved his own playing to achieve a personal sound at the keyboard.

Mark Gardner (from the linernotes)

1. Roundabout (Bill Gerhardt)
2. Sliver Liver (Bill Gerhardt)
3. Repeat Beginnings (Bill Gerhardt)
4. Esdrainia (Bill Gerhardt)
5. Repair (Bill Gerhardt)
6. No Fault At All (Bill Gerhardt)
7. Thrive (Bill Gerhardt)

UPC/EAN: 716043164325

Steve LaSpina – Moments (SCCD 31642)

Allaboutjazz’s Elliott Simon remarked on LaSpina’s 2004 album “Remember When”, “ There can be something very special about a bassist-led session. Perhaps it is their knowledge of both time and melody that, when coupled with the rich emotional sound of their instrument, results in some of the most creative jazz ….” Once again Steve LaSpina through his sophisticated writing is presenting here an exceptional work.

1. Sometime Soon (Steve LaSpina)
2. Tuesday Too (Steve LaSpina)
3. Slow Down (Steve LaSpina)
4. It's Just A Riff In G (Steve LaSpina)
5. Life In No Lane (Steve LaSpina)
6. You (Steve LaSpina)
7. Moments (Steve LaSpina)
8. Why (Steve LaSpina)
9. In Place Of (Steve LaSpina)

UPC/EAN: 716043164226