CDs

The New Gypsies Featuring Vic Juris - 2026

Downbeat Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Vic Juris - guitar
Tony Miceli - vibraphone
Chico Huff - bass
Dan Mnaghan - drums

A long-awaited release that features the late guitar master at his most lyrical and inventive was recorded in January 2017 but held back until now. This session, led by vibraphonist Tony Miceli, is a poignant tribute to Vic Juris's boundless musicality and deep connection to the jazz tradition.Inspired by the spirit of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club legacy, the quartet reimagines classic French repertoire with fresh arrangements and modern interplay. The interpretations of "Nuages" and "La Vie en Rose" are especially moving, revealing a depth of emotion that resonates even more powerfully in light of his passing. Miceli, who spearheaded the project, recalls Juris's uncanny ability to absorb and reproduce any tune - "like an iPod with soul."This recording, lovingly restored by SteepleChase producer Nils Winther, transforms what was once a shelved session into a sonic gem. It stands as both a celebration of Vic Juris's artistry and a testament to the enduring power of collaboration.Incidentally, Miceli's witty and heartfelt liner notes read as an ode to Vic, the stellar artist.

• Downbeat - “Brilliant solos from Miceli and Juris … An added treat is hearing Juris playing steel string acoustic guitar in a relaxed setting on Django's "Nuages," replete with all the gypsy jazz flurries on the fretboard, and also on the Edith Piaf classic "La Vie En Rose," which concludes with some Lenny Breau-styled harmonics.” –Bill Milkowski

Glow featuring David Friedman and Tony miceli - 2025

Downbeat Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Vibraphone Dialogue Like No Other.Glow, which is dedicated to the late vibraphone master Dave Samuels, is a landmark recording that redefines what's possible in jazz vibraphone performance. Featuring two of the world's most accomplished mallet percussionists-David Friedman and Tony Miceli-this album is not just a duet; it's a revelation. It's the first jazz album composed entirely of vibraphone duets, and it succeeds where others have hesitated: by solving the long-standing challenge of sonic overlap and range limitation.What sets Glow apart is it's innovative approach to range and texture. The vibraphone, with it's three-octave span, presents a unique challenge when paired with another of it's kind. Historically, artists have sidestepped this issue by pairing vibes with marimba, which offers a broader tonal palette. But Friedman and Miceli dared to go where others faltered: two vibraphones, no safety net.Their solution? Instant arranging-a dynamic, real-time negotiation of register and role. If Miceli plays a melody in the upper octaves, Friedman anchors the sound in the lower range. If Miceli shifts to the middle, Friedman "sandwiches" him with left-hand bass and right-hand treble. This constant awareness of spatial and harmonic placement creates a rich, layered sound that feels orchestral despite the duo format.Each player adjusts not only to avoid clashing but to enhance the other's voice. The result is a seamless interplay where melody, harmony, and rhythm breathe together.

• Downbeat - Throughout the album, they offer patient, careful playing that's most notable for its wonderfully tremulous quality. It remains the sound of surprise, because that artistic care includes the aim of spontaneity. The result is a delightful and highly recommended release.
  —Andy Hamilton

Nico’s Dream - 2025

Downbeat rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Since the time vibraphone was invented in 1921 (could be 1916) there has been an impressive and growing list of exceptional practitioners of this mallet instrument. And one of them is Tony Miceli whom Victor Schermer of All About Jazz describes as, "a vibraphonist of astonishing virtuosity, musical resilience, and inventiveness. His vibes playing is nothing short of phenomenal." Miceli performs and gives masterclasses in the US and abroad. This is Tony Miceli's leader debut album on SteepleChase.

• Downbeat - Miceli is clearly a master of his instrument, effortlessly moving between single-note solos and intricate chordal comping, and his bandmates are equally accomplished. Between them, they deliver these 10 tunes with breezy, solidly swinging ease. –J.D. Considine