Andy LaVerne, Dave Samuels - Fountainhead (1989)

Andy LaVerne has developed into a top-notch pianist, particularly during his tenure on Steeplechase. This duo date with Dave Samuels, who switches between vibes and marimba on this date, has the energy of Chick Corea's duets with Gary Burton. The innovative descending vamp that resonates repeatedly in "All the Things You Are" and hard-swinging rendition of "How Deep Is the Ocean" help these familiar standards seem like new. LaVerne and Samuels each brought four originals to the session: the pianist's lively "ATB" and the mysterious title track stand out, while Samuels' compositions aren't quite as memorable. ~ Ken Dryden, AMG. 

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31261, 1990
Recorded 28th June, 1989 

Musicians:
Andy LaVerne - Piano
Dave Samuels - Vibraphone, Marimba 

Tracks:
01. All The Things You Are {Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II} (6:01)
02. Severe Clear {Andy LaVerne} (7:56)
03. ATB {Andy LaVerne} (4:40)
04. Come To Me {Andy LaVerne} (4:41)
05. My Asian Land {Dave Samuels} (5:08)
06. ECB {Dave Samuels} (4:53)
07. Fountainhead {Andy LaVerne} (3:51)
08. Round Corners {Dave Samuels} (7:12)
09. Summernight {Harry Warren, Al Dubin} (6:53)
10. Waiting For You {Dave Samuels} (3:15)
11. How Deep Is The Ocean? {Irving Berlin} (4:55) 

Total Time: 59:25

Credits:
Producer, Photo - Nils Winther
Recording Engineer - Jim Anderson

LeeAnn Ledgerwood - Breaking The Waves (2011)

This album is another serious work by pianist LeeAnn Ledgerwood utilising the same trio members as in her previous work "Simple Truth" released in 2010. A listener can't not be drawn into the exceptional muscular musicality showcased throughout this CD. Essentially, LeeAnn is the glue that pulls the powerful rhythm team of bassist Ron McClure and drummer Nasheet Waits together. She is the mastermind of all the compositions on this outing resulting in a truly expressive trio format that deserves further listening, Enjoy!

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31732, 2012
Recorded February, 2011 

Musicians:
LeeAnn Ledgerwood - Piano
Ron McClure - Bass
Nasheet Waits - Drums

Tracks:
1. Breaking The Waves (8:15)
2. Save The Wolves (6:49)
3. Audrey Girl (8:25)
4. The University Of Free Will (5:17)
5. Chilli’s Walk (8:04)
6. Lutherans For Jesus (7:13)
7. The Great Smoking Mirror (8:04)
8. Deep Six (9:03) 

All Compositions by LeeAnn Ledgerwood 

Total Time: 61:10 

Producer - Nils Winther 

" … pianist Lee Ann Ledgerwood is part of an ever-growing contingency of extremely talented jazz musicians of the female persuasion… and first crack at a piano trio record. Ultimately, it proves to be one of the best of its kind in recent memory. Simultaneously adventurous but also emotionally direct… " (C. Andrew Hovan, AAJ on “Transition” SCCD 31468).

Conrad Herwig, Andy LaVerne - Shades Of Light (2002)

It is without taking away anything from the founding fathers of this music to suggest that some of today's practitioners might be the most technically gifted lot to come along. Of course, they now have the entire rich history of jazz at their fingertips and slews of recordings for inspiration, yet there's no denying the talent at hand. Such is the case with 43-year-old trombonist Conrad Herwig. Hardly a Johnny Come Lately, Herwig has been on the scene for some 20 years playing in the bands of such legends as Buddy Rich and Eddie Palmieri, but has to be considered one of the most innovative players to come along since the days of J.J. Johnson and Curtis Fuller. Herwig's fourth and most recent date for the Dutch Criss Cross label, Hieroglyphica is a no holds barred quartet set of all originals that finds everyone working at full throttle. Without other horns to get in the way, this is the best place to experience Herwig at his most incendiary. Starting with a low moan and then breaking into wild glissandos through the upper register, Herwig kicks off the title track with a dazzling display that then builds to a frenetic climax with drums wailing and the rest of the ensemble participating in the collective frenzy. It's time for a quick cool down with the Latin-tinged 'The Orange Dove,' a breathy melody that is supported beautifully by pianist Bill Charlap's comping. And speaking of Charlap, for those of you only familiar with his demure and most recent trio dates, you'll be surprised at how much the pianist seems to step outside of the box here. In fact, some reckless abandon breaks forth on 'Island of the Day Before' as Herwig builds the tension before giving way to Charlap, who ushers in the calm before the storm and then hits with some heavy stuff of his own. And to get an idea of Herwig's range and the full complement of devices, look no further than a bluesy 'The Intruder.' Technically accomplished and still filled with communicative appeal, Hieroglyphica just may be Herwig's most brilliant recital to date. A bit more reserved, the trombonist's duo recital with pianist Andy LaVerne, Shades of Light, doesn't quite catch the fire that the quartet session does, but there's still plenty to savor. An impressive display of flutter tonguing comes just at the conclusion of 'Three Flowers,' a McCoy Tyner line that has to be among his most striking. Two Chick Corea gems, 'Tones For Joan's Bones' and 'Crystal Silence' seem especially attractive in this duo setting and Herwig's trombone carries both melodies quite well. You can gather some insight as to influences too, with Herwig sagaciously working in a quote from Wayne Shorter's 'Witch hunt' during his solo on 'African Flower.' ~ by C. Andrew Hovan, AAJ. 

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31520, 2002
Recorded April, 2000 

Musicians:
Conrad Herwig - Trombone
Andy LaVerne - Piano 

Tracks:
01. Three Flowers {McCoy Tyner} (7:37)
02. Tones For Joan's Bones {Chick Corea} (5:43)
03. Crystal Silence {Chick Corea, Neville Potter} (6:13)
04. Bessie's Blues {John Coltrane} (8:22)
05. If You Never Come To Me {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (4:28)
06. Shades Of Light {Hubert Laws} (6:04)
07. Black Narcissus {Joe Henderson} (5:30)
08. Think On Me {George Cables} (5:22)
09. African Flower {Duke Ellington} (5:16)
10. In Your Own Sweet Way {Dave Brubeck} (7:22) 

Total Time: 71:57 

Credits:
Producer, Photography - Nils Winther
Recording Engineer - Keiichi Goto
Liner Notes - Mark Gardner

Sam Newsome - The Tender Side Of Sammy Straighthorn (2000)

Picking up the soprano saxophone these days as your sole instrument can be a dangerous proposition. For one thing, the straight clarinet-like horn is notorious for going out of tune if your embouchure is not up to par. Secondly, a whole generation of Kenny G clones has left some fans thinking that the instrument is only capable of insipid and saccharine results. Venerable enough to make the soprano the focus of an entire album, Sam Newsome's The Tender Side of Sammy Straighthorn is only the second album to appear under the saxophonist's name since the start of his New York tenure in 1988. With a fondness for the soprano stylings of both Wayne Shorter and Steve Lacy, Newsome's influences can be detected in 'Victoria's Secret,' which features the saxophonist's hard biting attack in a manner that recalls Shorter's '80s work on such albums as Atlantis. Not a one-trick pony however, Newsome's fluid approach to '12 Bars From Hell' (done with just bass and drums) clearly points to Lacy.

The addition of Elisabeth Kontomanou on several cuts provides further variety, her wordless vocals acting like another solo horn. The melancholy feeling to much of the writing that features Kontomanou hints at the influence of Kenny Wheeler, who often utilizes the voice of Norma Winstone in a similar manner. Pianist Bruce Barth is also a valuable member of the crew, his complex and soulful improvisations almost stealing the show at times.

As a vehicle for allowing the soprano to restore its rightful place among the rest of the saxophone family, Newsome should be congratulated on his efforts. Furthermore, his attempt to extend the hard bop tradition beyond the established boundaries has resulted an intriguing album that will reward those looking for something just a bit left of center. ~ by C Andrew Hovan, AAJ.

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31452, 2000

Recorded April, 1998

Musicians:

Sam Newsome - Soprano Saxophone

Bruce Barth - Piano

Ugonna Okegwo - Bass

Matt Wilson - Drums

Elisabeth Kontomanou - Vocals

Tracks:

1. Victoria's Secret {Sam Newsome} (7:46)

2. The Tender Side Of Sammy Straighthorn {Sam Newsome} (7:37)

3. Autumn Leaves {Joseph Kosma, Jacques Prévert, Johnny Mercer} (6:46)

4. 12 Bars From Hell {Sam Newsome} (6:46)

5. Lullaby Of Takeda {Traditional} (9:34)

6. The Dumpess Of Nyack {Sam Newsome} (8:10)

7. All The Things You Are {Jerome Kern} (15:45)

Credits:

Producer - Nils Winther

Engineer - Devin Emke

Photography - Fernando Natalichi

Liner Notes - Mark Gardner

Total Time: 62:24

Elisabeth Kontomanou - Embrace (1999)

This is Kontomanou’s debut album, released in 1999 but to most quarters, something which was almost entirely missed on the radar screen. The kind of vocal expression Elizabeth is engaged in does not fit the popular vogue of female jazz vocalists. However, the program here shows both elements of musical substance and extramusical content in equal measure. The aesthetic persuasion that motivates her- the epic romanticism that impelled the most powerful, immediate Jazz on the 60s, is currently seen as outmoded. Put simply most listeners have a hard time reconciling the fact a vocalist does not wish to deal with popular song forms and instead wants to wrestle with an idiom that has been largely defined by instrumental giants in the league of Coltrane and Sanders etc., Elizabeth Kontomanou, like Flora Purim, is most committed to using her voice as an acoustic instrument in the ideal sense through the great raw potential which lays in wordless vocals. Here she surrounds herself with master soloists like Sam Newsome and J.D. Allen so as not to make her abilities as an improviser go untested. Indeed, it should be mentioned that time and time again both men, as well as pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, lay out impressive statements that raise the bar for her own expression. It's apparent if nothing else that the model of John Coltrane is at the heart of her expression, and in this should lie much interest for both Trane fans and those who cry for something different in the vocal world. ~ Extract by Gerard Cox.

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31467, 1999

Recorded November, 1998

Musicians:

Elisabeth Kontomanou - Vocals

Sam Newsome - Soprano Saxophone

J.D. Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Jean-Michel Pilc - Piano

Thomas Bramerie - Bass

Abdou M'Boup - Percussion

Tracks:

1. Aliki {Elisabeth Kontomanou} (7:40)

2. Embrace {Elisabeth Kontomanou} (6:26)

3. Where I Wanna Be {Elisabeth Kontomanou} (3:23)

4. Spring {Elisabeth Kontomanou} (5:55)

5. The Light Of You {Elisabeth Kontomanou} (9:07)

6. All Music Kinds {Elisabeth Kontomanou} (11:35)

7. Lost Letter To A Nomad {J.D. Allen} (10:16)

8. Clear Blue Skies {Elisabeth Kontomanou} (10:14)

9. The Story Teller {Elisabeth Kontomanou} (5:38)

Credits:

Producer - Nils Winther

Recording Engineer - Josiah Gluck

Photo - Fernando Natalici

Liner Notes - Mark Gardner