PRE-ORDER: This item will be shipped with the aim to deliver on release day.
Release Date: 21 August 2026
Label: Steeplechase
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 716043402427
Description
Tenor saxophonist Andrew Rathbun and pianist Gary Versace--longtime collaborators on several acclaimed SteepleChase sessions--meet for the first time as a duo on Episodes, revealing a striking new dimension in their musical partnership. Versace's chameleon like ability to shift color, texture, and groove pairs seamlessly with Rathbun's ever evolving compositional voice, whose pieces here range from unmetered shapes to baroque tinged counterpoint and driving ostinati. The duo's interplay is vivid and deeply attuned: Versace favors linear, wriggling motion over harmonic cushions, while Rathbun's improvisations unfold with narrative clarity, balancing modern language with melodic focus. Across the surreal, atmospheric "Episodes" series and the contrasting standalone works, the two push themselves into unfamiliar territory, crafting music that feels exploratory and quietly daring--an inspired debut for a duo with limitless potential. "Rathbun is a unique voice on saxophone with a style and sound of his own." (Ed Sapiega - Jazzview)
Vito Dieterle; Kris Kaiser; Griffin Fink; Aaron Seeber
Thad Jones; Ole Kock Hansen; Jesper Lundgaard; Ed Thigpen
Matt Panayides; Rich Perry; Steve LaSpina; Mark Ferber
Andrew Rathbun; Gary Versace
Tomas Martinez; Michael Weiss; David Wong; Paul Sikivie; Kenny Washington; Teo Perez
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Horace Parlan; Thad Jones; Eddie Harris; Jesper Lundgaard; Aage Tanggaard
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Vito Dieterle; Kris Kaiser; Griffin Fink; Aaron Seeber
Thad Jones; Ole Kock Hansen; Jesper Lundgaard; Ed Thigpen
Matt Panayides; Rich Perry; Steve LaSpina; Mark Ferber
Andrew Rathbun; Gary Versace
Dave Brubeck
Stefan Scholer Trio
Shawn Purcell; Walt Weiskopf; Chris Ziemba; Jeff Reed; Steve Fidyk; Darden Purcell; Ben Patterson
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