Harold Danko – After The Rain (SCCD 31356)

SCCD 31356 After The Rain / Harold Danko

This Harold Danko’s second CD (earlier release SCCD 31350 Harold Danko Quartet “Next Age”) on the label is a solo piano tribute John Coltrane, which was Danko’s long-time dream project.

To quote Danko from the linernotes he wrote himself, “ The thought of doing a solo piano recording of Coltrane’s music has been with me for quite some time, but it was Nils Winther who made it a reality, along with the truly amazing Fazioli piano at the SteepleChase studio in Denmark …”

1. Syeeda's Song Flute (John Coltrane)
2. Lonnie's Lament (John Coltrane)
3. After The Rain (John Coltrane)
4. Like Sonny (John Coltrane)
5. Exotica (John Coltrane)
6. Spiral (John Coltrane)
7. Your Lady (John Coltrane)
8. Mr. Sims (John Coltrane)
9. Wise One (John Coltrane)
10. Mr. Day (John Coltrane)
11. Straight Street (John Coltrane)
12. Dahomey Dance (John Coltrane)
13. Resolution (John Coltrane)
14. Grand Central (John Coltrane)

UPC/EAN: 716043135622

Ron McClure – Never Always (SCCD 31355)

SCCD 31355 Never Always / Ron McClure Trio

Bassist/Composer Ron McClure (b. November 22, 1941 in New Haven, CT) has been recording for SteepleChase many albums both as sideman and as leader. For his latest CD under his name McClure chose trio format for the first time and made it a tribute to some of the outstanding bass players who have touched him musically.

Ron’s association with veteran pianist Don Friedman started more than 30 years ago when Ron moved to New York and got his first gig in Herbie Mann’s band. Drummer Billy Hart is another old friend and partner from Ron’s “Quest” days. So it’s no wonder the chemistry between this threesome is simply magical.

1. I hear a rhapsody (Fragos/Baker)
2. Never always (Ron McClure)
3. Moor (Gary Peacock)
4. Valentine blue (Ron McClure)
5. I'm your pal/Falling grace (Steve Swallow)
6. Memory of Scotty (Don Friedman)
7. Gloria's step (Scott LaFaro)
8. Beautiful (Red Mitchell)
9. Whims of Chambers (Paul Chambers)
10. When face gets pale (Miroslav Vitous)
11. Like someone in love (Jimmy Van Heusen)

UPC/EAN: 716043135523

Steve Slagle – Spread The Word (SCCD 31354)

SCCD 31354 Spread The Word / Steve Slagle Quartet

“ The alto saxophonist’s quartet is pianoless. It impresses you with its clean logic and taut, substantive lines… An excellent album .”, commented JazzTimes on Steve Slagle’s debut CD ( SCCD 31323 “The Steve Slagle Quartet ”) which has also enjoyed equally enthusiastic reviews by other major jazz magazines.

This is Steve’s second leader album with the same pianoless quartet which has been performing actively in New York area for several years now.

1. First strike (Dave Stryker)
2. High life (Steve Slagle)
3. Daydream (Billy Strayhorn)
4. Easy does it (Steve Slagle)
5. Spread the word (Steve Slagle)
6. What could be (Steve Slagle)
7. Let's call this (Thelonious Monk)
8. Beatrice (Sam Rivers)
9. Stankbird (Steve Slagle)

UPC/EAN: 716043135424

Vic Juris – Night Tripper (SCCD 31353)

SCCD 31353 Night Tripper / Vic Juris Quartet

Guitarist Vic Juris (b. 1953 in Parsippany, New Jersey) has been a prominent figure on the jazz scene for almost 20 years. While he leads his own quartet recorded here, he performs as a member of the Dave Liebman Group, the Gary Peacock Quartet and as the leader of the Charles Mingus Guitar Quintet as well. He also appears regularly as Larry Coryell’s acoustic duo partner.

This is Vic’s first recording for SteepleChase.

1. I heard you cried last night (Ted Grouya)
2. Dekooning (Phil Markowitz)
3. Liebeslied (Kurt Weil)
4. Next victim (Vic Juris)
5. Estate (Martino)
6. Night tripper (Vic Juris)
7. Without you (Steve LaSpina)
8. Falling in love with love (Richard Rodgers)
9. For Harry (Vic Juris)
10. Marigold (Vic Juris)

UPC/EAN: 716043135325

Clifford Jordan – Half Note (SCCD 31198)

SCCD 31198 Half Note / Clifford Jordan Quartet

Tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan (1931 – 1993) was born in Chicago and his high school classmates include Johnny Griffin, John Gilmore and Richard Davis. He worked with Max Roach in Chicago area and moved to New York in 1957 where he joined Horace Silver’s band. Later on he formed his regular group with Walton, Jones and Higgins (The Magic Triangle) and played all over the world. This recording from New York’s Half Note the drummer Albert Heath replaces Higgins.

“… the music is superb…..Jordan and Walton achieve the most engaging thematic improvisation I have heard from either …” (Bart Grooms)

1. Holy land (Cedar Walton)
2. Glass bead games (Clifford Jordan)
3. St. Thomas (Traditional)
4. Rhythm-a-ning (Thelonious Monk)
5. Midnight waltz (Cedar Walton)
6. The highest mountain (Clifford Jordan)

UPC/EAN: 716043119820

Khan Jamal – Dark Warrior (SCCD 31196)

SCCD 31196 Dark Warrior / Khan Jamal Quartet

Vibist Khan Jamal (b. 1946 in Florida) was a frequent visitor to Copenhagen in the 80s. Here’s one of his best recordings on SteepleChase in that period.

USA’s “Be-Bop And Beyond” wrote, “ The music of Khan Jamal …manages to be both explorative and melodic. …He has an original style. Dark Warriors is one of many SteepleChase albums worth searching for .”

1. Johnny's in Malmø (Khan Jamal)
2. Just us (Khan Jamal)
3. Principal (Khan Jamal)
4. Whisper sweet (Khan Jamal)
5. Dark warrior (Khan Jamal)
6. Hucksterman (Khan Jamal)
7. Space traveller (Charles Tyler)
8. Hucksterman (Khan Jamal)

UPC/EAN: 716043119622

Duke Jordan – Tivoli Two (SCCD 31193)

SCCD 31193 Tivoli Two / Duke Jordan Trio

One of the few remaining first generation bebop piano players, Duke Jordan is still active on the scene. This is the second volume from the relaxed live session at Tivoli Gardens’ jazz club “Slukefter” (earlier release Tivoli One SCCD 31189 ).

“ The program offers a well balanced mixture of originals and familiar standards superbly delivered by this top flight trio. …this is sincere, heartfelt jazz at its very best .” (Gerard Futrick, CODA)

1. No problem (Duke Jordan)
2. How deep is the ocean (Irving Berlin)
3. All the things you are (Jerome Kern)
4. Jealous blues (Duke Jordan)
5. I cover the waterfront (Green/Heyman)
6. A night in Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie)
7. Jordu (Duke Jordan)

UPC/EAN: 716043119325

Red Holloway – Nica’s Dream (SCCD 31192)

SCCD 31192 Nica's Dream / Red Holloway Quartet

Veteran blues-jazz saxophonist Red Holloway (b. May 31, 1927 in Helena, Arkansas) turned pro while still at Chicago Music School in 1943 by joining the Gene Wright band. Later he formed his own group as well as played with Lionel Hampton, Ben Webster and other giants.

In this Copenhagen session with the first rate Euro-American rhythm section, Holloway blows with fire.

1. Reshma Rani Barnase (Red Holloway)
2. Lover Man (Ram Ramirez)
3. Love For Sale (Cole Porter)
4. Nica's Dream (Horace Silver)
5. Georgia On My Mind (Hoagy Carmichael)
6. 369 Blues (Red Holloway)
7. Wee (Denzil Best)

UPC/EAN: 716043119226

Doug Raney – Blue And White (SCCD 31191)

SCCD 31191 Blue And White / Doug Raney Quartet

Guitarist Doug Raney (b. 1957 in New York) moved to Copenhagen in the late 70s. He has developed his own style with more contemporary taste than his famous guitarist father Jimmy Raney.

Doug has made quite a few recordings on SteepleChase starting the debut album (SCCD 31081 “Introducing Doug Raney”).

The recording here is with his regular Copenhagen group, which tours throughout Europe.

1. Blue And White (Nisse Sandstrom)
2. I Love You (Cole Porter)
3. Gingerbread Boy (Jimmy Heath)
4. That Old Devil Moon (Lane/Harburg)
5. Old Folks (Dedate Hill)
6. Straight Street (John Coltrane)
7. Minority (Gigi Gryce)

UPC/EAN: 716043119127

Horace Parlan – Like Someone In Love (SCCD 31178)

SCCD 31178 Like Someone In Love / Horace Parlan Trio

Trio setting best portrays Horace Parlan’s unique method of piano playing with the strong left-hand technique which he developed to supplement his partially paralysed right hand. Here with bassist Lundgaard who is on his way to the stardom as Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen has archived and an old colleague from the Mingus band Richmond, Parlan displays

“ flawless inspiration, inventive melody and infallible virtuosity …” (Pierre Schavey, The Lion)

1. U.M.M.G (Billy Strayhorn)
2. Ballade (Isla Eckinger)
3. Scandia skies (Kenny Dorham)
4. Little Esther (Horace Parlan)
5. Like someone in love (Jimmy Van Heusen)
6. The Duke Ellington sound of love (Charles Mingus)
7. Blues in the closet (Oscar Pettiford)

UPC/EAN: 716043117826