Guitarist Dave Stryker has released Blue Fire (Strike Zone Records 8828, 2026), a new album recorded at the historic Rudy Van Gelder Studio. It features his longtime organ trio. A veteran of bands led by Jack McDuff and Stanley Turrentine, Stryker leads Jared Gold on organ and McClenty Hunter on drums in their first session at the storied New Jersey room.
The album includes four new Stryker originals, highlighted by the driving title track “Blue Fire.” The trio also offers fresh versions of Lennon–McCartney’s “The Fool on the Hill” and Charlie Parker’s “Dexterity.” A lyrical take on Jerome Kern’s ballad “The Folks Who Live on the Hill” flows into the 3/4 closer “Summer Night,” rounding out a set that highlights the group’s tight communication and groove-focused approach.
Stryker shared: “This recording was a longtime dream for me. I had always wanted to record at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio, but never got the chance when he was alive. Thankfully, Rudy’s assistant Maureen Sickler and her husband Don have taken over the operation to keep it preserved. When you walk into this amazing space, the history, not to mention the incredibly warm sound of the huge room, are palpable. Given the story of Van Gelder’s—all the Blue Note and CTI records and of course Coltrane’s A Love Supreme—it would’ve been easy to be overwhelmed. However, with my 20-year working trio of Jared Gold (playing the original Jimmy Smith/Larry Young Hammond organ) and McClenty Hunter on drums, we were inspired and captured some of the magic. We can now add Blue Fire to the long list of albums recorded at this legendary temple of jazz.”
Musicians: Dave Stryker on guitar; Jared Gold on organ; and McClenty Hunter on drums.
Produced by Dave Stryker
Recorded at Van Gelder Recording Studio. Engineered by Maureen Sickler.
Mixed & Mastered at Trading 8s Studio, Paramus, NJ on July 29, 2025 by Chris Sulit.
Graphic Design and Photography by Christopher Drukker.
Cover photo – Matt Stryker.
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