Joshua Douglas Smith – Unstuck In Time (SCCD 31564)

With the successful debut album (SCCD 31545 “Major Incident”) in place Joshua

returned to studio this time supported by three veteran sidemen: Ben Monder (guitar), his mentor and teacher Ron McClure (bass) and Billy Hart (drums).

“ Still not yet 22 – he was born in New York on August 24, 1982…, Joshua displays his rapidly growing confidence and maturity…The outcome is an invaluable, focussed snapshot of his artistic development …” (Mark Gardner)

1. I'll Be Seeing You (Sammy Fain)
2. Unstuck in Time (Joshua Douglas Smith)
3. Fool For Beauty (Joshua Douglas Smith)
4. Like Someone In Love (Jimmy Van Heusen)
5. So it Goes (Joshua Douglas Smith)
6. Solar (Miles Davis)
7. African Flower (Duke Ellington)
8. Toy Tune (Wayne Shorter)

UPC/EAN: 716043156429

Jerry Bergonzi, Andy LaVerne – Intuition (SCCD 31563)

Andy LaVerne’s ongoing duo projects find the pianist this time in the company of his contemporary (Both Bergonzi and LaVerne were born in 1947). Sharing the common taste and experience in music

their mutual respect and admiration are evident throughout this album. Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi is also a renowned educator whose work is vastly appreciated and respected by his numerous students and colleagues.

“… There is never any shortage of momentum in these performances which are deftly swinging and never give the slightest impression of being forced or in any sense incomplete …! (Mark Gardner)

1. Intuition (Andy Laverne)
2. I Fixed The Blues (Andy Laverne)
3. Have You Met Miss Jones? (Richard Rodgers)
4. Mea Culpa (Andy Laverne)
5. Pannonica (Thelonious Monk)
6. Just Friends (Klenner/Lewis)
7. Rainbow In The Clouds (Andy Laverne)
8. Witchcraft (Cy Coleman)
9. I Love You (Cole Porter)

UPC/EAN: 716043156320

Christian Winther – Blue Function (SCCD 31562)

Another new Danish saxophone star, presently a resident of New Orleans, makes his first entry to SteepleChase catalog with this refreshing album of standard and original materials superbly executed.

Christian Winther not only fulfilled his boyhood dream of becoming a jazz musician but also became an important voice on the New Orleans scene, where his dream started.

He was nominated as “the best upcoming musician” of contemporary jazz by Offbeat Magazine in 2003.

1. High Ground (Christian Winther)
2. Jitterbug Waltz (Fats Waller)
3. Reflections (Thelonious Monk)
4. The Redeemer (Christian Winther)
5. Limehouse Blues (Phillip Broham)
6. Train Song (Christian Winther)
7. When It's Sleepy Time Down South (Rene/Muse)
8. Worry Later (Thelonious Monk)
9. Word Of The Deacon (Christian Winther)

UPC/EAN: 716043156221

Dave Scott – Song For Amy (SCCD 31561)

This is trumpeter/composer Dave Scott’s leader debut CD, though Dave has been one of the most sought after musicians both on East and West Coasts performing with Gerry Mulligan, Tom Harrell, Clark Terry, Kim Richmond, among others.

“… in Song For Amy Dave Scott and his men have laid down an important first marker with this inaugural CD which confirms that this is a group with much to say and a stimulating, unhackneyed way of saying it .” (Mark Gardner form the linernotes)

1. Vindaloo (Dave Scott)
2. Walls (Dave Scott)
3. Coercion (Dave Scott)
4. Song For Amy (Dave Scott)
5. Scooper (Dave Scott)
6. W.S. (Dave Scott)
7. Profound Dilution (Dave Scott)

UPC/EAN: 716043156122

Ari Ambrose – Waiting (SCCD 31560)

Since his sensational debut CD in 1999 Ari Ambrose has received incredible amount of acclaims.

To quote a few: “….Ambrose is a star on the rise.” (Chris Hovan, Jazzreview.com), “…Ari Ambrose steps to the fore as a fully formed stylist…also a writer of substance.” (Chuck Berg, JazzTimes), “…a first class young musician…” (Eddie Blackwell, Jazz Journal), “…Ambrose is striving mightily to have his voice be heard and recognized on its own merits…” (Derek Taylor, one final note), “…a very satisfying and fascinating album from a very fine player…” (Mike Rogers, JazzReview).

On this his 7 th album Ari expertly leads his quintet to display his ever-evolving creativity.

1. Milestones (Miles Davis)
2. Sem (Ari Ambrose)
3. East Of The Sun (Brooks Bowman)
4. Quietly (Ari Ambrose)
5. My Shining Hour (Harry Arlen)
6. Without A Song (Youmans/Rose/Eliscu)
7. Everything Happens To Me (Adair/Dennis)
8. Waiting (Ari Ambrose)

UPC/EAN: 716043156023

Dave Stryker – Shades Beyond (SCCD 31559)

This is a sequel to Stryker’s highly successful nine-piece band Miles tribute “Shades of Miles” (SCCD 31480). With a smaller ensemble (quintet) this time the music originally inspired by Miles Davis took on a life of its own.

About “Shades of Miles” (SCCD 31480), Bob Protzman of St Paul Pioneer Press wrote,

“Even with the recent massive reissuing of Miles’ recordings form the late 1960s and early 70s, this is an album very much worth hearing.”

And Derek Day of JazzReview, “ A convincing record, one that breathes new life into a tried and tested formula….”

1. Easy Does It (Steve Slagle)
2. Petals (David Berkman)
3. Persimmon (Dave Stryker)
4. Two Twenty (Steve Slagle)
5. Magenta (Dave Stryker)
6. Shades Ahead (Dave Stryker)
7. Apparition (Davis Berkman)
8. Maze (Dave Stryker)

UPC/EAN: 716043155927

Rich Perry – East Of The Sun and West Of 2nd Avenue (SCCD 31558)

The compelling performance by the saxophonist throughout this new C D will prove again the true magnitude of talent to the ever-increasing numbers of critics and listeners who have discovered Rich Perry.

“…the tenorman’s absolute command goes with a soft-edged tone and an undemonstrative delivery that creates a paradox at the center of his style….”(The Penguin Guide to Jazz On CD)

“..As for Perry’s work here, it seems to have moved to an even more inspired level than hitherto,

striking and impeccable balance between the cerebral and the emotional.” (Mark Gardner – linernotes)

1. I Thought About You (Jimmy Van Heusen)
2. The Touch Of Your Lips (Ray Noble)
3. My Ideal (Whiting/Chase)
4. East Of The Sun (Brooks Bowman)
5. Soul Eyes (Mal Waldron)
6. Yours And Mine (Thad Jones)
7. My Shining Hour (Harry Arlen)
8. Falling In Love (Victor Feldman)
9. Three Little Words (Harry Ruby/Burt Kalmar)

UPC/EAN: 716043155828

Steve Lampert – Venus Perplexed (SCCD 31557)

Trumpeter/composer Steve Lampert made quite a stir when he appeared in saxophonist Rich Perry’s CD “Hearsay” SCCD 31515 with his compositions of “… tricky, angular bop lines …” (Harvey Siders/JazzTimes) “adventurous harmonics, eccentric and fluctuating rhythms…” (Jack Bowers/Cadence) and his performance of “… technical brilliance ….enriching the frontline’s timbre ” (Siders/JazzTimes). David R. Adler of All Music Guide remarked, “ Lampert…proves to be a fluid and compelling soloist .”

This is Steve Lampert’s leader debut CD which contains 55 minutes of highly personal music penned by the leader. Lampert comments in the linernotes, “…. The music was conceived for instrumental performers in compositional interaction with a virtual reality consisting of computer sequenced electronic music ….”

1. Telephony (Steve Lampert)
2. R U There? (Steve Lampert)
3. Music Box (Steve Lampert)
4. Whirl (Steve Lampert)
5. Held In Reflection (Steve Lampert)
6. Geometry (Steve Lampert)
7. Venus Perplexed (Steve Lampert)
8. Aftershock (Steve Lampert)
9. Water Test With Question (Steve Lampert)
10. Either / Or (Steve Lampert)
11. Still There (Steve Lampert)
12. Metaphor Of Travel (Steve Lampert)

UPC/EAN: 716043155729

Dave Ballou – Dancing Foot (SCCD 31556)

The 6 th leader album by trumpeter Dave Ballou finds him in an unusual but fascinating two-bass quartet form. In addition to the two superb bassists John Hebert and Michael Formanek, percussionist Kevin Norton contributes his part on drums and vibes.

Here’re excerpts of reviews on Ballou’s earlier releases: “ Ballou plays idea-rich, solidly structured solos…He has a full, warm, cultivated tone; plays very well in the lower as well as upper register…. a thoughtful, melodic improviser… .”(Harvey Pekar/JazzTimes on The Floating World SCCD 31486)

“ Ballou’s a formidable writer…Ballou’s music…allows a range of emotions to exist within a particular song …” (Greg Buium/Cadence on Volition SCCD 13460

1. Dancing Foot (Dave Ballou)
2. Pinky (Dave Ballou)
3. Bobblehead (Dave Ballou)
4. Sadhana (Dave Ballou)
5. Skippy (Thelonious Monk)
6. Prayer (Dave Ballou)
7. Stagnate (Dave Ballou)
8. Norton Utilities (Dave Ballou)
9. Anya Goes East (Dave Ballou)

UPC/EAN: 716043155620

Doug Raney, Dave Stryker, Freddie Bryant – Jam Session Vol. 10 (SCCD 31555)

The 10 th of SteepleChase’ ongoing series of Jam Sessions finds three ace guitarists in creative, competitive but friendly atmosphere of recording studio.

On earlier Jam Session series, Chris Parker of CD Reviews commented, “… a varied programme skilfully played by all concerned …. .” and Derek Taylor of All About Jazz wrote, “… The Danish SteepleChase imprint has long recognized the fertile dynamics of jam sessions, fronting the resources for many in its roster of players to convene in just such supportive surroundings …”

1. Seven Come Eleven (Benny Goodman/Charlie Christian)
2. Nardis (Bill Evans)
3. My Little Suede Shoes (Charlie Parker)
4. Orchid (Dave Stryker)
5. Sippin' At Bells (Miles Davis)
6. The Three Muscateers (Freddie Bryant)
7. Better Git It In Your Soul (Charles Mingus)
8. Half Nelson (Miles Davis)

UPC/EAN: 716043155521