SteepleChase

SteepleChase on vinyl: jazz from Copenhagen

In short: SteepleChase is the jazz label from Copenhagen – the city many of our records come from, because that’s where Thomas is based. In the sixties and seventies many American jazz musicians lived in Copenhagen, and SteepleChase captured their music. The Vinyl Room currently has 110 SteepleChase records, 60 of them first pressings.

What makes SteepleChase special?

Nils Winther founded the label in Copenhagen in 1972. He recorded American musicians who lived in Europe or were on tour – Dexter Gordon, Kenny Drew, Duke Jordan, Jackie McLean, Horace Parlan – often live at the Jazzhus Montmartre, the city’s famous jazz club. Danish and European musicians joined them. The result is a large catalogue of seventies and eighties hard bop and post bop.

Why collect SteepleChase?

Because these recordings capture a time when many great jazz musicians found a second home in Europe – on records that often sound immediate and alive. The original pressings come from Denmark and are often still affordable compared with the big US labels.

From our stock

SteepleChase first pressings

Hard bop

Post bop

New in

→ Jazz on vinyl · How to spot a first pressing · Grading explained · Plattenparty on YouTube

FAQ

Where does SteepleChase come from? From Copenhagen – Nils Winther founded the label in 1972.

Why did so many US jazz musicians play in Copenhagen? Many found more work and recognition in Europe; Copenhagen, with the Jazzhus Montmartre, was one of the most important places for that in the sixties and seventies.

Are SteepleChase originals expensive? Usually less than comparable US labels. Price and – where given – condition are shown with every record.

Which musicians are best represented here? Among others the Dexter Gordon Quartet, Boulou & Elios Ferré and the Buck Hill Quartet.