Dave Stryker – Changing Times (SCCD 31510)

SCCD 31510 Changing Times / Dave Stryker Quintet

Recorded at the end of the millennium, Dave Stryker’s latest release (13 th on SteepleChase label) presents a collection of his intriguing original compositions with some different time signatures, perhaps inspired by the times that are changing.

“… Changing Times reflects not only the growth of one of jazz’s most exceptional performers but also captures the feelings of working musicians through compositions presaging the future as we head into the new millennium .” (Jim Eigo)

1. Changing times (Dave Stryker)
2. Big mouth (Dave Stryker)
3. Different worlds (Dave Stryker)
4. Capetown (Dave Stryker)
5. Julia (John Lennon)
6. Circular scene (Dave Stryker)
7. Invocation (Steve Slagle)
8. Rhythm method (Steve Slagle)

UPC/EAN: 716043151028

Marc Copland, Vic Juris – Double Play (SCCD 31509)

SCCD 31509 – Marc Copeland/Vic Juris – "Dou b le Play" – A double play in baseball usually involves three players making two outs. Here you have two excellent musicians in Marc Copeland (piano), and Vic Juris (guitar) covering 10 incredible compositions and making good music. This duet renders heartfelt renditions on tunes like Gershwin's "I loves you Porgy", "Who Can I Turn To" (Newley/Bricusse), Cole Porter's "I Concentrate on You" in addition to several originals. Copeland's debut duet CD for SteepleChase w/ Tim Hagans (tpt, fluglehorn), SCCD 31488 "Between the Lines" has met with praise from listeners everywhere and received a 5-star rating from the French Diapason magazine. Juris, longtime guitarist with Dave Leibman, has five CDs as a leader for SteepleChase. In a review of Juris's two latest offerings for SteepleChase – SCCD 31483 "Songbook" and SCCD 31453 "Remembering Eric Dolphy" Duck Baker of Jazz Times (June 2001) states that "Vic Juris is a versitile and impressively accomplished guitarist. His playing exudes warmth, intelligence and respect for the tradition."

1. Who can I turn to? (Newley/Bricusse)
2. I loves you Porgy (George Gershwin)
3. Dark territory (Marc Copland)
4. Stella by starlight (Victor Young)
5. Vaults (Vic Juris)
6. Jive samba (Nat Adderley)
7. I concentrate on you (Cole Porter)
8. Blackbird (Lennon/McCartney)
9. Twenty five (Vic Juris)
10. Con alma (Dizzy Gillespie)

UPC/EAN: 716043150922

Harold Danko – Prestigious (SCCD 31508)

SCCD 31508 – Harold Danko Quartet "Prestigious"

Pianist/Leader/Composer/Educator are a few of the hats worn by Harold Danko.

Here he leads his quartet (with special guest Dave Ballou on trumpet) as an interpreter of Eric Dolphy's music. In its seventh recording for SteepleChase, the Harold Danko Quartet explores nine tunes penned by Dolphy.

Danko's previous effort for SteepleChase ("NightScapes" SCCD 31490) has received much praise from critics everywhere.

"A hauntingly beautiful collection of eight lambent vignetts" (Chuck Berg, Jazz Times, June 2001)

"Danko's solos are wonderfully evocative and impressionistic throughout." (Ron Netsky, Rochester City News, March 2001)

"Danko is a thoughtful composer/player whose tasteful themes are awash in musical riches" (Jack Bowers, Cadence Magazine, September 2001).

1. Les (Eric Dolphy)
2. 17 West (Eric Dolphy)
3. GW (Eric Dolphy)
4. 245 (Eric Dolphy)
5. Out There / Far cry (Eric Dolphy)
6. Serene (Eric Dolphy)
7. Miss Ann (Eric Dolphy)
8. The Prophet (Eric Dolphy)
9. Potsa Lotsa (Number Eight) (Eric Dolphy)

UPC/EAN: 716043150823

George Colligan, Jesper Bodilsen – A Wish (SCCD 31507)

SCCD 31507 – George Colligan / Jesper Bodilsen "A Wish"

In response to wide spread critical acclaim for their first duet recording on SteepleChase (SCCD 31485 "Twins"), pianist Colligan and bassist Bodilsen did a second session for SteepleChase following a Scandanavian tour just 13 months later.

"George Colligan is one of the brightest and most articulate new pianists on today's scene. On "Twins" the pianist's synaptic spontaneity dances freely. Colligan's foil is the estimable young Danish bassist, Jesper Bodilsen. Like NHOP, Bodilsen possesses a warm sound, great dexterity, virtually faultless intonation and an aura of calm even in the midst of volcanic eruptions." ( Harvey Pekar, Jazz Times, July/August 2001)

" A real keeper all the way around, "Twins" is yet another fine collection to add to Colligan's already imposing body of work." (Chris Hovan, allaboutjazz.com)

1. A wish (Karry Politzer)
2. Beatrice (Sam Rivers)
3. Pedra bonita (traditional)
4. Up jumped spring (Freddie Hubbard)
5. You must believe in spring (Michel LeGrand)
6. You don't know what love is (DePaul/Raye)
7. Smatter (Kenny Wheeler)
8. Marionett (Lars Jansson)
9. Some like to love more than one (Mercedes Rossy)

UPC/EAN: 716043150724

Brad Goode – By Myself (SCCD 31506)

SCCD 31506 Brad Goode Quartet By Myself

This CD marks Goode's second effort as a leader for SteepleChase. The long time Chicago veteran – now a professor of jazz studies at The University of Cincinnati – has also appeared on two other CDs recently released by SteepleChase in tandum with the legendary tenor saxophonist Von Freeman ("Inside Chicago, vol 1 & 2, SCCD 31500, 31501).

Goode's first effort as a leader for the label ("Toy Trumpet" SCCD 31491) featured a collaboration with Ira Sullivan and

" represents just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Goode's sounds which are getting attention after years of neglect ". – Neil Tesser – Jazziz Magazine.

This recording reveals yet another section of this iceberg.

1. By Myself (Dietz/Schwartz)
2. The Masquerade Is Over (Magidson/Wrubel)
3. Goodbye (Gordon Jenkins)
4. I'll Take Romance (B. Oakland)
5. Four-Note Blues (Brad Goode)
6. In The Still Of The Night (Cole Porter)
7. The End Of A Love Affair (Redding)
8. If I Should Lose You (Robin/Rainger)

UPC/EAN: 716043150625

Larry Schneider – Jazz (SCCD 31505)

In the 70's Schneider received much public acclaim for his efforts with the Charles Mingus and Horace Silver bands. While he has been active ever since, his development as an artist has only been well documented on SteepleChase and this CD marks Larry Schneider's 8 th effort as a leader for producer Nils Winther.

" Devoid of any of the inherent sappiness that is common to the lightweight tones of those adult contemporary-type players, Schneider's soprano work is marked by a mild vibrato and dark timbre that is more akin to Steve Lacy's approach " Chris Hovan – allaboutjazz.com

– in reference to a previous Schneider release on SteepleChase ("Ali Girl" SCCD 31429).

1. I'm getting sentimental over you (Washington/Bassman)
2. Old Folks (Dedate Hill)
3. Inner Voice (Andy LaVerne)
4. Star eyes (DePaul/Raye)
5. Portrait Of Dorian Mode (Andy LaVerne)
6. Israel (John Carisi)

UPC/EAN: 716043150526

Dave Ballou – On This Day (SCCD 31504)

SCCD 31503 On This Day / Dave Ballou Quintet

Improvisation is, according to the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, “ the spontaneous creation of music as it is performed ” and that’s what Dave Ballou and his working band are offering here..

“… I have always wondered what could happen when improvisers are given the freedom to improvise – no set forms or changes or even melodies. That was the environment of this recording session .” (Dave Ballou)

1. Robin and treebeard (Dave Ballou)
2. … Of Things Unseen (Dave Ballou)
3. Tangolina (Dave Ballou)
4. PL (Dave Ballou)
5. Faith (Dave Ballou)
6. Spazalbabble (Dave Ballou)
7. NH (Dave Ballou)
8. On this day (Dave Ballou)
9. What lies ahead (Dave Ballou)

UPC/EAN: 716043150427

Sam Newsome – This Masquerade (SCCD 31503)

SCCD 31503 The Masquerade/ Sam Newsome Quartet

Though Sam Newsome started out as a tenor/alto saxophonist, he has always been attracted to the sound of soprano saxophone, noting “ The sound of the soprano allows me to be more lyrical and express what I hear .”

As a soprano saxophonist, Newsome made a compelling debut album in 1998 entitled “The Tender Side of Sammy Straighthorn” (SCCD 31452).

On this new album Mark Gardner remarks, “ Sam’s soprano tone is becoming even more individual. Every note is beautifully enunciated, and while the shape of his improvisations benefits from his expressive ease, he can add an edge to his sound whenever he feels the music requires it… "

1. Satin doll (Duke Ellington)
2. Stella by starlight (Victor Young)
3. The girl from Ipanema (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
4. Footprints (Wayne Shorter)
5. This masquerade (Leon Russell)
6. Toryanse (traditional)
7. Blue Monk (Thelonious Monk)
8. What's new (Haggart/Burke)
9. Pent-up house (Sonny Rollins)

UPC/EAN: 716043150328

Steve LaSpina – The Bounce (SCCD 31502)

SCCD 31502 The Bounce / Steve LaSpina Quintet

Since 1992 composer/bassist Steve LaSpina has been regularly releasing leader albums with consistently high quality.

For his 7 th CD on SteepleChase Steve returned to the studio with the same group as his 1997 recording of “When Children Smile” (SCCD 31410) of which JazzTimes’ reviewer Bill Bennett wrote,

“ This is an impressively thoughtful offering from a bassist often found in the company of thoughtful musicians. As a bassist, LaSpina evokes a wonderful sound, bent to the task by a solid time concept and intonation… .”

1. The bounce (Steve LaSpina)
2. Only now (Steve LaSpina)
3. My one and only love (Mellin/Woods)
4. Seven F (Steve LaSpina)
5. Ask me now (Thelonious Monk)
6. Let me go (Steve LaSpina)
7. I've heard that song before (Vic Juris)
8. How deep is the ocean (Irving Berlin)

UPC/EAN: 716043150229

Von Freeman, Brad Goode – Inside Chicago Vol. 2 (SCCD 31501)

SCCD 31501 Inside Chicago Vol. 2/ Brad Goode – Von Freeman

The second volume of Inside Chicago series is extracted from a three-night live concert from the famous Jazz Showcase club at the Blackstone Hotel in downtown Chicago in February 1995.

The music not only illustrates the recent history of strong Chicago jazz but also gives us the rare opportunity of enjoying the otherwise available-only-for-the-lucky-locals legends Von Freeman and Brad Goode’s exciting performance.

1. Anthropology (CharlieParker/Dizzy Gillespie)
2. Blues for Sunnyland Slim (Von Freeman)
3. Oleo (Sonny Rollins)
4. Caravan (Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol)
5. Yardbird suite (Charlie Parker)

UPC/EAN: 716043150120