SteepleChase new releases

[jlhoots]

On 2/10/2023 at 9:47 PM, mjzee said:

Release date February 15:

Release date March 15:

Release date April 15:

Bunch of bald guys (except Byars).

 

[Kevin Bresnahan]

17 hours ago, gmonahan said:

I still want the inside story on the Goodman estate, and why they are apparently so hard to deal with.

Maybe they don't want to have anything released that Goodman didn't approve himself? It could also be that they are overestimating their value and ask too much.

[Ken Dryden]

18 hours ago, gmonahan said:

I still want the inside story on the Goodman estate, and why they are apparently so hard to deal with.

 

Didn't Benny Goodman leave Yale University his unissued recordings? You would think that Yale would welcome the additional income, although they are one of the most endowed universities around, since some of this stuff was likely duplicated over the years by engineers then leaked to European labels that don't pay royalties.

[medjuck]

The Goodman estate is holding up releases which feature Charlie Christian and Lester Young. In the case of Prez, there are jam session in which Goodman wasn't even the leader. (I'm referring to broadcasts in the Savory collection. ) 

[gmonahan]

On 4/1/2023 at 8:03 AM, medjuck said:

The Goodman estate is holding up releases which feature Charlie Christian and Lester Young. In the case of Prez, there are jam session in which Goodman wasn't even the leader. (I'm referring to broadcasts in the Savory collection. ) 

Yes, it's the holdup of the Savory stuff that aggravates me. I think they want too much money (which reinforces the idea that they are overvaluing the material), but I also wonder if there are contractual issues with Yale.

 

[mjzee]

Release date August 15:

 

[mjzee]

Release date October 15:

 

Release date September 15:

 

Release date August 15:

 

Release date September 15:

 

[sonnymax]

Thanks for the heads up.

[mjzee]

Release date November 15:

[Brad]

SteepleChase has released a Count Basie concert. Marc Myers had a post about it earlier this week  

Count Basie: Copenhagen 1962

 

Edited August 26, 2023 by Brad

[mjzee]

Release date January 26:

 

Release date February 15:

 

Release date March 15:

 

[mjzee]

Release date April 15:

 

[mjzee]

Release date July 5:

The origin of this album goes back to Texas in the early 90s where young baritone student Frank Basile at North Texas Univ. met for the first time his hero baritonist Gary Smulyan. Their friendship culminates here in a studio date in NJ in late 2023.“I was really just so happy to be there playing with him” declares Smulyan the mentor. “His passionate sound and fresh ideas make Alternative Contrafacts a set well worth picking up, particularly by straightahead jazz collectors.” (S. Yanow – NYCJR)

 

If you have been following Byars’ career on this label, you will realize this is his fourth album with this unique sextet of four horns, bass and drums without chord instrument. Byars’ adept ensemble writing skills provide one of a kind harmony source to the band. “Because he knows his musicians so well, Byars is masterful in his writing, blending the reeds and trombone in intricate ensembles while letting the soloists all shine throughout.” (Ken Dryden – NYCJR on SCCD 31929 R & B in the 20s)

[JSngry]

I played some wedding band gigs with Frank a looking time ago. Great player, super nice guy. Glad to see him having success, hope there's much more ahead for him!

[Ken Dryden]

The series of unissued concerts on SteepleChase have been great discoveries.

[colinmce]

On 6/21/2024 at 8:59 PM, mjzee said:

 

If you have been following Byars’ career on this label, you will realize this is his fourth album with this unique sextet of four horns, bass and drums without chord instrument. Byars’ adept ensemble writing skills provide one of a kind harmony source to the band. “Because he knows his musicians so well, Byars is masterful in his writing, blending the reeds and trombone in intricate ensembles while letting the soloists all shine throughout.” (Ken Dryden – NYCJR on SCCD 31929 R & B in the 20s)

This is a fantastic album. 

[Ken Dryden]

On 8/28/2024 at 10:07 AM, colinmce said:

This is a fantastic album. 

Indeed, I reviewed it for The New York City Jazz Record a month or two ago. Chris gets a great sound out of great front line. I had the pleasure of seeing his sextet at Smalls a few years ago.

[mjzee]

Release date September 27:

“colorful, witty, unpredictable, inventive and swinging” is what jazz critic Scott Yanow observes of cornetist/composer Knuffke. He created here an astoundingly musical sounding board by the two phenomenal double bass players: SteepleChase stalwart Jay Anderson (left channel) and Swedish born Thommy Andersson (right channel). Just like his previous “unusual” album of cornet and tuba Tight Like This. this one will be regarded as “very memorable and very entertaining ” . (K. Oleksiuk – The New York City Jazz Record)

 

[mjzee]

Release date September 27:

As the superlative liner notes by C. Andrew Hoven for the album suggests, this recording marks the new chapter of trumpeter/composer Dave Scott’s musical history. Dave Scott recorded exclusively his adventurous original compositions in a series of releases in the past. Here for the first time Scott dedicates the whole album on a canon of jazz standards where he finds his roots and source for inspiration. He selected a collection of his favourite songs to complement his highly refined quartet.

Sweden in the 60s was experiencing the surge of cool jazz (Tristano tradition) and saw young alto saxophonist Rolf Billberg emerged on the scene as one of its most talented practitioners. Due to his premature death at age 35 ten months after this recording his name never made it to the stardom. This hitherto unknown album is one rare testimony to the state of Swedish jazz scene. It was recorded in November 1965 privately in the legendary live/rehearsal basement club Subland in Malmö.

[jlhoots]

41 minutes ago, mjzee said:

Release date September 27:

“colorful, witty, unpredictable, inventive and swinging” is what jazz critic Scott Yanow observes of cornetist/composer Knuffke. He created here an astoundingly musical sounding board by the two phenomenal double bass players: SteepleChase stalwart Jay Anderson (left channel) and Swedish born Thommy Andersson (right channel). Just like his previous “unusual” album of cornet and tuba Tight Like This. this one will be regarded as “very memorable and very entertaining ” . (K. Oleksiuk – The New York City Jazz Record)

 

Excellent!!

[mjzee]

Release date January 10:

The liner notes for John Hart's new album authored by C Andrew Hovan touched upon the subject of longevity. Hart's four decades of performing as an A-player on the world elite jazz scene epitomizes the virtue of consistency and continuance. We have here a bit unusual trio of guitar/cornet/bass featuring thrilling interactions between Hart's guitar and Kirk Knuffke's horn. "Hart is a guitar player of refinement and taste. Through a merely flexible and swinging gait". (F. v. d. Linde - Jazz Journal)

 

Release date January 17:

Canadian-born saxophonist/composer Andrew Rathbun has been holding the position of Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo since 2012. Rathbun, however, is not the one who confines himself in the ivory tower but has been active in performing and recording in New York and internationally. He presents here his 10th leader album on SteepleChase. All but two titles were penned by the leader having guitar (played by Nate Radley) as featured instrument creating as always intellectual and at the same time thoroughly emotionally moving music.

 

Release date February 7:

Dick Sisto (vibraphone) and Andy LaVerne (piano) were fellow faculty members of the famed Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop and have been close colleagues since 1996. During the last seasons of the Workshop in 2018 and 2019 Dick and Andy performed concerts as duo dedicating the program for Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro. This album is derived from those four concerts recorded live. Andy LaVerne who studied with Evans contributes also a very informative, insightful and fascinating liner notes here.

David Janeway has long been a stalwart of NY jazz scene. Though under-recorded, Janeway’s undisputable talent has been under the radar. He formed a trio with Cameron Brown (b) and Billy Hart (dr) in 2020 and released the album “Distant Voices” on which D. McClenaghan of AAJ noted,“The trio makes the Janeway compositions sound like classics… these three virtuosos sound like one, like a group settled into the comfort zone… they go into the studio and turn out a compelling and polished product.”

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I wonder why Steeplechase hasn't dipped their toes into the vinyl waters? Sure, it's likely a fad & CDs may make a comeback, but it's still a larger market when it comes to physical sales so it doesn't really make much business sense to not give it a try.

[colinmce]

56 minutes ago, Kevin Bresnahan said:

I wonder why Steeplechase hasn't dipped their toes into the vinyl waters? Sure, it's likely a fad & CDs may make a comeback, but it's still a larger market when it comes to physical sales so it doesn't really make much business sense to not give it a try.

They have vinyl reissue series, mostly older titles, some newer. I think they would not get much traction off doing their new everyday releases on LP, but there’s an always-growing demand for the back catalog.