Peter & Will Anderson “A Sax Supreme” (SCCD 33122)

SCCD 33122 Peter & Will Anderson “A Sax Supreme”

The Anderson Brothers (identical twins) are no new-comers in spite of their young age (b. 1987 in Washington D.C.). Peter & Will had already been active on US and international jazz scene as teenagers receiving numerous accolades from the press and acclaim from the thrilled audience.

On this new album Peter (tenor sax), Will (alto sax) join forces with fellow tenor saxists Ken Peplowski and Grant Stewart to present a dazzling program of quintessential jazz repertoire.

“A Perfect example of two heads being better than one. Outfitting a group with alto and tenor saxophones perfectly encapsulates the wide harmonic array and colourful timbrel ranges each instrument can achieve.” (Eric Wendell – Hot House May 2014)

PETER ANDERSON tenor saxophone
WILL ANDERSON alto saxophone
GRANT STEWART tenor saxophone
KEN PEPLOWSKI tenor saxophone
EHUD ASHERIA piano
NEAL MINER bass
AARON KIMMEL drums

Recorded March 19, 2015

1 LET’S (Thad Jones) 6:16
2 WALKIN’ (Richard Carpenter) 6:37
3 U.M.M.G. (Billy Strayhorn) 5:24
4 HERE’S THAT RAINY DAY (Jimmy Van Heusen) 4:56
5 MORE THAN YOU KNOW (Vincent Youmans) 1:37
6 YOU GO TO MY HEAD (Cole Porter) 2:04
7 LOVE LOCKED OUT (Ray Noble) 1:45
8 SOME OTHER SPRING (Irene Kitchings) 2:40
9 LOVE LETTERS (Victor Young) 4:55
10 WHOOPS (Sonny Stitt) 7:40

Total Playing Time 43:57

EAN/UPC 716043312221

Dave Scott Quintet – Brooklyn Aura – (SCCD 31808)

SCCD 31808 Dave Scott Quintet “Brooklyn Aura”

Dave Scott, an award winning trumpeter and a dedicated educator, is first and foremost recognized as a prolific and resourceful composer. He composes for and performs with his own jazz ensemble consists of New York’s finest improvisers.

“…Scott is using a sturdy template to introduce his own ideas … this band should be feted for its originality and cohesion.” (Mike Shanley – JazzTimes on “Song for Amy” SCCD 31561)

DAVE SCOTT trumpet
RICH PERRY tenor saxophone
JACOB SACKS piano
JOHN HEBERT bass
SATOSHI TAKEISHI drums

Recorded March 2015

1 PROLOGUE 2 2:15
2 PERSISTENCE 13:35
3 NON ADHERENCE 12:23
4 ECCENTRICITIES 15:50
5 BROOKLYN AURA 11:43
6 11TH STREET OBSTRUCTION 13:49

Total Playing Time 69:36
Composed by Dave Scott

EAN/UPC 716043180820

Marcus Printup Sextet – Young Bloods – (SCCD 31804)

SCCD 31804 Marcus Printup Sextet “Young Bloods”

Trumpeter Marcus Printup rounded up a choice selection of young prize winning new talents to form this sextet. Printup, though still in the 40s and at his prime mettle, is a veteran of three decades which includes a principal post in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra since 1993. One of his professional priorities is to pass the torch on to the next generation, Young Bloods.

“Printup is such an accomplished and versatile player that he’s adept performing tunes from any point in the many decades of jazz…. a hard swinging lesson taught by a master musician.” (Joel Roberts – The New York City Jazz Record on “Homage” SCCD 31730)

MARCUS PRINTUP trumpet
PATRICK BARTLEY alto saxophone
COLEMAN HUGHES trombone
ALLYN JOHNSON piano
DEZRON DOUGLAS bass
ULYSSES OWENS drums

November 2014

1 En Route (Marcus Printup) 7:46
2 The Bishop (Marcus Printup) 7:37
3 My Foolish Heart (Victor Young) 7:02
4 Young Bloods (Marcus Printup) 7:07
5 How Great Thou Art (traditional) 8:19
6 In Your Own Sweet Way (Dave Brubeck) 6:32
7 Au Privave (Charlie Parker) 8:11
8 Greasy (Marcus Printup) 7:36

Total Playing Time 60:14

EAN/UPC 716043180424

Stanley Cowell Trio – Reminiscent – (SCCD 31809)

SCCD 31809 Stanley Cowell Trio “Reminiscent”

Since his retirement in 2013 from the professorship at the prestigious Rutgers University, where he led its jazz department, pianist/composer/educator Stanley Cowell has been increasingly active on the scene both in concerts and recordings. This new album with a featured program of Christmas melodies (Xmas Suite) will be introduced to the audience at New York’s Smoke Jazz & Supper Club.

“…it’s a great pleasure to hear Stanley Cowell’s It’s Time: a finely crafted collection of mostly originals that is at once sophisticated, both aggressive and pensive, and simply fascinating to listen to.” (Greg Simmons – AAJ on “It’s Time” SCCD 31740)

STANLEY COWELL piano, thumb piano*
JAY ANDERSON bass
BILLY DRUMMOND drums

Recorded February 2015

1 INTERMEZZO (Johannes Brahms) 4:11
2 RE-CONFIRMED (Stanley Cowell) 6:05
3 A CHILD IS BORN (Thad Jones) 7:55
4 A XMAS SUITE (Stanley Cowell) 10:03
4.1 A Xmas Melody (Stanley Cowell)
4.2 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear (Edmond Sears)
4.3 We Three Kings Of The Orient Are (John Henry Hopkins Jr.)
4.4 Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard)
4.5 A Xmas Melody (Stanley Cowell)
4.6 Jingle Bells (James Lord Pierpont)
5 PEACE (Horace Silver) 6:44
6 MIDNIGHT DIVERSION (Stanley Cowell) 9:06
7 HEAR WITH ME (Sunny Cowell)* 3:34
8 TIME (Richie Powell) 6:48
9 REMINISCENT (Stanley Cowell) 5:11
10 SWEET SONG (Stanley Cowell) 5:22

Total Playing Time 65:01

EAN/UPC 716043180929

Stephen Riley & Peter Zak – Haunted Heart – (SCCD 31806)

SCCD 31806 Stephen Riley & Peter Zak “Haunted Heart”

Stephen Riley’s distinctive breathy tone and imaginative phrasing have attracted a good size followers in jazz
listeners, musicians and critics.

“Isn’t it nice to hear a truly individual sound in the sea of music that often sounds much the same? I stumbled across one of those sounds in Stephen Riley’s music…” (Luke Soasey – saxophonist)

“Just heard Stephen Riley on a local radio. What a special tone he has. Dark and dry with a lot of subtones. And very creative playing….” (JJ – Sax on the Web)

Here on his latest album Riley formed a duo with his favourite piano man Peter Zak to stage an intriguing recital filled with amazing performances.

STEPHEN RILEY tenor saxophone
PETER ZAK piano

Recorded December 2014

1 ISFAHAN (Billy Strayhorn) 6:28
2 YOU DO SOMETHING TO ME (Cole Porter) 7:29
3 PRISONER OF LOVE (Russ Columbo / Clarene Clarene) 6:26
4 PUNJAB (Joe Henderson) 7:20
5 THE INTIMACY OF THE BLUES (Billy Strayhorn) 5:21
6 HAUNTED HEART (Howard Diez) 5:15
7 AFTER YOU’VE GONE (Turner Layton) 5:10
8 MOMENT’S NOTICE (John Coltrane) 5:12
9 THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL (Richard Rodgers) 5:23
10 ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Sammy Fain) 7:51
11 PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (Arthur Johnston) 8:15

Total Playing Time 70:14

EAN/UPC 716043180622

Vic Juris Trio – Blue – (SCCD 31810)

SCCD 31810 Vic Juris Trio “Blue”

Vic Juris’ new album “Blue” is heavily focused on ballads, which Vic’s signature fluid sound backed up by his mature artistry fits perfectly. One of today’s premier jazz guitarists Vic Juris has been active on the scene for over four decades amassing an impressive discography.

“Vic Juris is a versatile and impressively accomplished guitarist. His playing exudes warmth, intelligence and respect for the tradition. Perhaps best of all, he seems to understand that the foregoing positives also apply to a legion of contemporary guitarists, and he looks for ways to set his work apart, in terms of sound, approach, or material. “ (Duck Baker – JazzTimes on “Remembering Eric Dolphy” SCCD 31453)

VIC JURIS guitar
JAY ANDERSON bass
ADAM NUSSBAUM drums

Recorded March 2014

1 Lonely Woman (Horace Silver) 6:23
2 What’s Goin’ On (Marvin Gaye) 4:59
3 Ugly Beauty (Thelonious Monk) 5:54
4 Tereza My Love (Antonio Carlos Jobim) 6:20
5 The Wrong Blues (Alec Wilder) 7:47
6 All The Things You Are (Jerome Kern) 7:31
7 Slow Hot Wind (Henry Mancini) 7:11
8 Blue (Vic Juris) 5:48
9 I Wish I Knew (Harry Warren) 6:41
10 Remembering The Rain (Bill Evans) 6:03

Total Playing Time 64:38

EAN/UPC 716043181025

Chris Byars Sextet – Two Fives (SCCD 31807)

SCCD 31807 Chris Byars Sextet “Two Fives”

Award-winning saxophonist/composer CHRIS BYARS divides his artistic focus between development of original material and studying the vast repertoire of jazz composers of the 20th century. During the past five years under SteepleChase label Chris Byars released two albums of his own materials and four albums paying tribute to unsung heroes of bebop compositions of 40s and 50s: Gigi Gryce, Lucky Thompson, Freddie Redd and Duke Jordan respectively. On this new album Byars combines the result of his research into historical compositions and his
own creation.

“Lucky Strikes Again coaxes a huge sound out of five horns, a credit to the quality of the arrangements… Byars has put together a set of concise, rewarding tracks with a band that turns in a terrific performance of outstanding material.” (AAJ – Greg Simons on SCCD 31713 “Lucky Strikes Again”)

“Classic bebop was never strong on formal composition, but Duke Jordan, who died in 2006, was a rare exception… 11 of his pieces are played here by a sextet led by alto saxophonist Chris Byars. The players are all young enough to have been Jordan’s grandchildren, but together they create exactly the full, mellow sound his harmonies demand… an excellent set.”  (The Guardian UK – Dave Gelly on SCCD 31787 “The Music Of Duke Jordan”)

CHRIS BYARS alto saxophone
STEFANO DOGLIONI bass clarinet
JOHN MOSCA trombone
PASQUALE GRASSO guitar
ARI ROLAND bass
STEFAN SCHATZ drums

Recorded March 2014

1 LITTLE INDIA (Chris Byars) 5:15
2 TAXI BIRD (Chris Byars) 5:02
3 EXPRESS (Chris Byars) 4:45
4 HELLO PORK PIE HAT (Chris Byars) 8:04
5 BERK-BOP (Chris Byars) 5:47
6 DANNY BOY (traditional) 8:08
7 SEABREEZE (Larry Douglas) 10:31
8 SOULTRANE (Tadd Dameron) 5:21
9 LADY LINDA (Duke Jordan) 6:10
10 CRAZEOLOGY (Benny Harris) 6:52

Total Playing Time 66:03

EAN/UPC 716043180721

Gene Segal Trio/Quintet – Matter (SCCD 33121)

SCCD 33121 Gene Segal Trio/Quintet “Matter”

New York-based guitarist/composer Gene Segal was born in Russia and immigrated to USA as a young child with his musician family. His upbringing in European music tradition combined with American contemporary music including jazz enabled Gene Segal to create his unique universe of multi-layered music.

“…the energy on this CD is different/better in major ways….if raw energy in jazz is your forte – GET THIS one!..I give Gene & all his players a definite MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…” (Improvijazzation #146 on SCCD 33114 “Mental Images”)

GENE SEGAL guitar
JON IRABAGON tenor saxophone
SAM SADIGURSKY clarinet, bass clarinet
SEAN CONLY bass
JAIMEO BROWN drums

Recorded December 3, 2014.

1 FAINT MEMORIES OF HOME 5:00
2 ORDINARY MATTER 9:23
3 MOOD 7:45
4 VORTEX 7:50
5 PATIENTLY WAITING 8:14
6 LIFE IN THE ABSTRACT 5:27
7 STRANGE MATTER 9:42
8 MORPH 5:23
9 SUN KING 7:23

Total Playing Time 66:07

EAN/UPC 716043312122

Kirk Knuffke Trio – Little Cross (SCCD 31799)

SCCD 31799 Kirk Knuffke Trio “Little Cross”

The leader of this new album Kirk Knuffke has just been voted “Rising Star (trumpet)” of 2015 by the prestigious DownBeat Magazine’s Critics Poll.

Kirk moved to NYC just 10 years ago and he has firmly established as one of the most sought after cornetist / composer on the scene.

Kirk chose for this his 6th leader/co-leader album somewhat special material (music that relates to spirituality of passing (=funeral)) and executed beautifully with superb support from B-3 organ player Jamie Saft and legendary drummer Hamid Drake.

KIRK KNUFFKE cornet
JAMIE SAFT Hammond B3, syntheziser
HAMID DRAKE drums

Recorded December 4, 2014

1 OH LOVELY APPEARANCE OF DEATH (Traditional) 5:13
2 CITY CALLED HEAVEN (Dwight Bigler) 6:05
3 CHINA TOWN SUITE (Kirk Knuffke) 12:21
4 LITTLE CROSS (Kirk Knuffke) 5:12
5 ELEPHANT BOAT (Kenny Wollesen) 5:03
6 FARMER ALFALFA (Henry Grimes) 5:12
7 POEM (Kirk Knuffke) 5:17
8 BLUES FOR FRED (Kirk Knuffke) 7:20
9 JULY HYMN (to Don Cherry) (Matt Wilson) 2:48
10 DONALD’S WAKE (Kirk Knuffke) 6:50

Total Playing Time 61:44

EAN/UPC 716043179923

Joe Manis – The Golden Mean (SCCD 33120)

SCCD 33120 Joe Manis “The Golden Mean”

Since his Steeplechase debut release of “North By Northwest” SCCD 33102 in September, 2012, Joe Manis has kept this organ trio featuring George Colligan busy performing in and around Oregon where he bases his activities on. Here is their second album which clearly shows the intensity and remarkable rapport of a tightknit working band.

“Adding Colligan’s B-3 to his trio provoked an enjoyably incendiary chemical reaction on their 2013 album North by Northwest, with the two soloists inspiring each other to ever more daring flights, mostly in the classic style.”— Willamette Week

JOE MANIS tenor saxophone, bass clarinet**
GEORGE COLLIGAN Hammond B-3 organ, Fender Rhodes**
KEVIN CONGLETON drums
LILLIE MANIS viola **

Recorded September, 2014

1 THREE FOUR FOR THREE (Joe Manis) 6:24
2 BLACK HOLE SUN (Chris Cornell) 7:02
3 SHORTER STORY (Joe Manis) 7:03
4 BROADWAY (Billy Byrd, Teddy McRae, Henri Wood) 5:31
5 PAW-PAW (Joe Manis) 7:17
6 GOLDFINGER (John Barry) 6:40
7 IT DON’T MEAN A THING (IF IT AIN’T GOT THAT SWING) (Duke Ellington) 5:32
8 ELLERY’S SONG FLUTE (Joe Manis) 5:40

Total Playing Time 51:12

EAN/UPC 716043312023