Tag Archives: John Mosca

Chris Byars “New York City Jazz” (SCCD 31842)

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SCCD 31842 Chris Byars “New York City Jazz” Chris Byars, the award winning alto saxophonist, composer, arranger, jazz historian and a 100% native New Yorker set out to “curate the state of jazz to create a sort of time capsule” (Chris Byars) for this new album. What Byars successfully presents here is the genuine creative aspiration that prevails in world’s most diverse and competitive artistic environment. “Chris Byars has done a remarkable job reviving these neglected compositions of Frank Strozier while also putting his own stamp on them with his inventive arrangements.” (Ken Dryden – New York City Jazz on SCCD 31824 The Music Of Frank Strozier) Chris Byars alto … Continue reading →

Chris Byars “The Music of Frank Strozier” (SCCD 31824)

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SCCD 31824 Chris Byars “The Music of Frank Strozier” Chris Byars’s ongoing endeavour to re-discover and celebrate works by outstanding jazz composers of the past generations produced here another collection of gems by alto saxophonist Frank Strozier superbly arranged by Byars. Born in Memphis, TN in 1937 Frank Strozier grew up playing piano in the nourishing Memphis blues/jazz environment. Strozier established himself in New York as highly acclaimed alto sax player and composer in the 1960s, performing a. o. as a member of The Miles Davis Sextet. “The music of Duke Jordan is surely worthy of re-appraisal and when it is refurbished and re-interpreted as creatively as it is here … Continue reading →

Freddie Redd "With Due Respect" (SCCD 31817)

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SCCD 31817 Freddie Redd “With Due Respect” One of the handful of surviving original hard-boppers Freddie Redd is turning 88 this month. The famed composer of the 60’s iconic off-Broadway play The Connection Redd ’s recording career has been, however, sporadic despite his great talent. His trio album “Music For You” (SCCD 31796) in 2014, the first in almost three decades rectified this trend following the precursory 2012 release of “Music Forever” (SCCD 31743) a tribute album to Redd’s music by altoist Chris Byars’ Octet. On this new album Redd presides over a sextet of much younger generations as performer and composer of old and new compositions embodied here to … Continue reading →

Andy Fusco Quintet "Whirlwind" (SCCD 31811)

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SCCD 31811 Andy Fusco Quintet “Whirlwind” Veteran altoist Andy Fusco makes his belated SteepleChase leader debut here with this 2003 quintet recording showcasing his intense and strong command of the instrument in the bebop tradition. Growing up in New Jersey his interests were music and football. He first studied at the Syracuse University with football scholarship. After almost making it to NFL Fusco diverted his attention to music and landed the lead altosax post at the Buddy Rich Big Band (1978-1983). He has performed and recorded with Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis and Walt Weiskopf, to mention a few. Fusco is also a dedicated educator currently a member of the Music … Continue reading →

Chris Byars Sextet – Two Fives (SCCD 31807)

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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 … Continue reading →

Chris Byars – The Music Of Duke Jordan (SCCD 31787)

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SCCD 31787 Chris Byars “The Music Of Duke Jordan” Award-winning saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator Chris Byars, apart from his focus on composing his own music, has been highly interested in studying the vast repertoire of jazz composers of the 20th century. His endeavour has so far culminated in Blue Lights (SCCD31662) – music of Gigi Gryce, Lucky Strikes Again (SCCD 31713) – music of Lucky Thompson, Music Forever (SCCD 31743) – music of Freddie Redd. Now to add to this impressive listing Chris Byars compiled 11 gems from the book of Duke Jordan (1922 – 2006) who was one of the early and most original bebop pianists. Israeli-born singer … Continue reading →

Chris Byars – Jasmine Flower (SCCD 31773)

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SCCD 31773 Chris Byars “Jasmine Flower” Chris Byars saxophone/composer/arranger leads his group in various formats including a quintet as in this album with guest instrumentalists (his father James Byars on English horn and his fiancée Mine Sadrazam on piano). Chris could be dubbed “Jazz Ambassador” conducting cultural exchange programs in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Balkans for the U.S. Department of State since 2007. While his previous three albums were highly creative tributaries to jazz’s true heroes: Freddie Redd, Lucky Thompson and Gigi Gryce, this new album is a superb collection of Chris’s original compositions many of which are depicting diverse cultures of the world. “… Byars’ treatment … Continue reading →

Chris Byars – Music For Forever (SCCD 31743)

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Following the successful tribute album to Lucky Thompson’s music “Lucky Strikes Again” Chris Byars and his 8-piece band dedicate this latest album to the music of Freddie Redd. Chris Byars notes, " Everything he has written is meaningful and has his own special perspective on beauty. I feel that this was an overdue tribute to an admirable artist, who continues to perform and write with great spirit at the age of 83 ." “ Lucky Strikes Again coaxes a huge sound out of five horns, a credit to the quality of the arrangements. They're musically expansive, getting the most out of the instruments at hand, but are also compact and … Continue reading →

Dick Oatts – Lookin’ Up (SCCD 31738)

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In his new album “Lookin’ Up” Dick Oatts teams up with his colleague and friend of 34 years, veteran trombonist John Mosca. Dick Oatts notes, “I’ve always liked the way alto sax and trombone blend together and I’ve always been meaning to do a CD with John but the music was never quite right for it. So I sat down over the holiday break and wrote the music around John, the alto and the trombone.” Derek Taylor of Master of a Small House describes Dick Oatts’ previous release “Two Hearts (SCCD 31694) as “ testament to Oatts’ improvisatory powers”. 1. One For Benny (Dick Oatts)2. Alaina's Song (Dick Oatts)3. Just … Continue reading →

Chris Byars – Lucky Strikes Again (SCCD 31713)

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Chris Byars-saxophone/composer/arranger in continuing his pursuit of tapping into the rich musical legacy of unsung heroes of jazz pays tribute this time to Lucky Thompson. “Chris Byars, who leads an octet through the enclosed tribute to the compositional achievements of Thompson, studied Lucky's canon with the same love and understanding that he has brought to the music of Gigi Gryce, Teddy Charles and Jimmy Cleveland…… I hoped that Lucky's spirit was hearing it too, for he had good reason to feel pride in this creative music.” (Mark Gardner – from the linernotes) 1. Theme (Lucky Thompson)2. Munsoon (Lucky Thompson)3. Old Reliable (Lucky Thompson)4. Passionately Yours (Lucky Thompson)5. Tiptop (Mark Lopeman)6. … Continue reading →