LIVE RECORDINGS
We dug deep into the vault to find exclusive recordings of legendary DJ sets and performances from Giant Step events over the last 30 years. Digitized from cassettes, DATs, & CDRs, let these rare recordings take you on a special musical journey
Photo by Alice Arnold
Giant Step Live
Cabaret Metro at Smart Bar, Chicago - November 9, 1991
This is a rare recording of Giant Step doing its first ever show outside of New York at Cabaret Metro at Smart Bar in Chicago. Maurice and Jonathan were asked to book and organize a portion of Massive Attack’s first North American tour to support their debut album Blue Lines. As part of that, they added Giant Step as the opening act. The Giant Step crew included: DJ Jazzy Nice, musicians Richard Worth (flute), Gordon “Nappy G” Clay (percussion), Itaal Shur (keys), and rappers Masta Ace and Jamalski.
Giant Step Crew
The Bank, NYC - August 1992
The Giant Step Crew was a moving club and made The Bank one of its regular venues in the early 90s. The Bank was a converted bank located on East Houston Street on the Lower East Side in New York City.
Giant Steptet
Bari, Italy - November 1992
This is a recording of the first time Giant Step was invited to Italy to play the Bari Jazz Festival in 1992. As guests of DJ/producer Nicola Conte , the Giant Step crew consisted of DJ Jazzy Nice and musicians Jay Rodriguez (sax/flute), Gordon “Nappy G” Clay (percussion), Itaal Shur (keys), and Genji Siraisi (drums). The tracks here are "Dreamtime" and John Coltrane’s "Impressions" - both early recordings under the name Giant Step NYC. Plus, covers of Wayne Shoerter’s “Footprints” and Lonnie Liston Smith “Expansions.”
Giant Steptet
Club Yellow, Tokyo - November 1992
This was Giant Step’s first ever trip to Japan organized by Hisa Ishioka where we did a two city tour of Tokyo and Kyoto. The traveling crew consisted of: DJ Jazzy Nice, Richard Worth on flute, Gordon “Nappy G” Clay on percussion and rapping, Genji Siraisi on drums, Itaal Shur on keys, Lamont O’Neil on vocals, and Dana Bryant on vocals. These recordings are from the first night of the residency at Tokyo’s legendary Club Yellow. Listen out for Dana Bryant’s performances of “Heat,” “Domincan Girdles,” and “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." Besides buying lots of vintage denim and vinyl reissues, we also got to meet United Future Organization, Jazz Brothers, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Mondo Grosso, and Monday Michiru.
Jazzy Nice
Cap Creus, Italy - 1992
Original Giant Step and The Groove Academy DJ Jazzy Nice heads to Italy in 1992 as captured on this never before heard recording. Photo Credit: Alice Arnold
The Groove Academy presents James Lavelle at NMS
SOB's, NYC - July 23, 1993
This is a rare recording of James Lavelle's New York DJ show at one of Groove Academy's New Music Seminar showcases. The evening also included live sets from James Taylor Quartet, Gumbo, Sunchilde, plus Groove Academy act Repercussions. James had already signed Repercussions as the first release on his fledgling Mo'Wax label.
Groove Collective
Sybarite, NYC - March 20, 1993
The origins of Groove Collective came together at the fabled Giant Step club when it was in the basement of Metropolis Cafe, first as Giant Step posse then Giant Step Steptet, and finally Groove Collective. Maurice and Jonathan decided to do a night that, instead of showcasing DJs and musicians (which was happening at the club), would just have the musicians play together. Maurice and Jonathan would DJ under the name Groove Academy in between sets. They found a venue in Soho on Wooster Street called Sybarite, a loft style club that was barely legal, and took over Friday’s packing in audiences and having the band play two sets a night. The residency started in late 1992, and by early 1993, their shows were attracting major labels who wanted to see how a 10 piece jazz band was attracting crowds of hipsters and models all hungry for the music and vibes. This recording was done by radio station WBAI. Unfortunately, due to Sybarite being an illegal venue, it was shuttered by May 1993.
Groove Collective
The Loft, NYC - May 21, 1993
With no more Sybarite, Groove Collective needed a new home for shows. We approached the legendary David Mancuso about having the band perform at his Loft on East 3rd Street. David was very welcoming as he loved the vibe of the Giant Step club and the free wheeling sound of Groove Collective. The loft was also his home so there was his bed and legendary sound system & turntables. For the Groove Academy DJ set, we had to bring in our own turntables and not use his. The band performed in the round in the middle of the floor as the Loft didn’t have a stage. The group finally settled with a residency at New Music Cafe on Canal Street which started a long Giant Step history with the venue that then became Shine and Canal Room.
Giant Step Live with DJ Smash and Giant Step Crew
Metropolis Cafe, NYC - November 1993
This is a rare live recording of a classic Giant Step party at Metropolis Cafe from November 1993. It captures the essence of the exciting underground scene at the time. This recording features resident DJ Smash, plus live musicians Richard Worth, Nappy G, Genji, MC’s Jamalski and GT English, the late trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and hip hop legends the Cold Crush Crew. This was just your typical night at the legendary club with loads of surprise guests performing all night. Photo credit: Alice Arnold
DJ Chillfreez
Giant Step Mixtape - 1994
DJ Chillfreez became one of Giant Step’s resident DJs joining DJ Smash and Jazzy Nice in the rotation. Jean Michel Legrou aka Chillfreez was a New York native and was also an original member of the Giant Step managed band Repercussions. After leaving the band in the early 90s, he focused on DJing. Here's an early mixtape he put together for us.
Giant Step Crew feat. Urban Tap
SOB's, NYC - April 30, 1995
This recording is from Giant Step's Thursday nights at SOB's. Tamango's Urban Tap was an ever shifting collective that he organized in 1993. A part of the Giant Step crew, he would tap dance and more.
Nickodemus
Giant Step Mixtape - 1996
From Nickodemus: “In 1995 I passed on a mix tape to Groove Academy (Giant Step) Marc Labelle at an outdoor stage that was rocking with Jazzy Nice, Chillfreeze, Groove Collective & Nappy G. They soon took me on as a 3rd DJ in the weekly rotation of the legendary Giant Step parties. The club vibes were HOT! There was a mix of hip hop, jazz, funk, live instrumentation, paintings, tap dancers as well as a very funky & sexy dance floor! Needless to say, I was hooked & thanks to Maurice Bernstein & Jonathan Rudnick, I stayed in the Giant Step crew for many years after. We pushed the sounds from Acid Jazz/funk, Hip Hop/Trip Hop, House & Drum & Bass- all with live musicians in the mix. I've also had the opportunity to DJ at shows for Jazzmattazz, Tricky, K&D, St Germain, Pharcyde, Groove Collective, Gil Scott Heron & all the greats who passed through NYC at that time. Here's the 1st mix-tape I did for Giant Step in 1996. It featured artwork by BLUSTER!”
Giant Step presents Nickodemus & Mark Farina
New Music Cafe, NYC - July 31, 1997
From Nickodemus: “The year was 1997. Giant Step meets its West coast counterpart Mushroom Jazz with Nickodemus & Mark Farina spinning + the Groove Collective musicians live (but unfortunately not recorded in this mix) @ The New Music Cafe NYC. Playing with Mark was always a huge inspiration! We were spinning all sorts of new music at the time from Native Tongues to acid jazz, house, drum & bass, latin & afrobeat. Jonathan & Maurice, who ran the party every week, always encouraged to push the boundaries & stay super current with the music with some reflection of the classics. Best bosses ever :) “
Nickodemus
Giant Step Mixtape Vol 2 - 1997
From Nickodemus: “After almost 2 years DJ'ing at Giant Step parties, we were moving & grooving in all directions. Drum & Bass, Trip Hop, Hip Hop, House, Abstract beats were all flowing in & out of the latin, funk, jazz & breaks. At the time, Maurice & Jonathan (Giant Step) handed me the 4 or 5 pack vinyl white labels of the long awaited Nuyorican Soul album. Ninja Tune, MoWax, Pussyfoot, Creative Source, Pork & many more were turning out some bugged out new sounds. Stateside, Hip Hop was bubbling on the underground as indie labels were popping up all over the place. We waited every week for new shipments of vinyl!”
Giant Step presents Gilles Peterson & Ron Trent
Shine, NYC - March 20, 2000
In February 2000, Giant Step rebooted its seminal weekly party with a new sound and resident DJ at Shine in Tribeca. The musical direction was more soulful/jazzy house, and the new resident was Chicago DJ/producer Ron Trent. This is a recording of the night Gilles Peterson with his MC, Earl Zinger, did a DJ set followed by Ron.
Giant Step presents Bebel Gilberto - “Samba Da Benção”
Shine, NYC - July 17, 2000
Here’s a very special excerpt from Bebel’s very memorable performance at Shine in NY as part of our Miles Ahead music series with Levi’s. The track performed here is “Samba Da Benção” from her debut album Tanto Tempo.
Giant Step presents Ron Trent feat. Carl Hancock Rux
Shine, NYC - February 15, 2001
This recording is from Giant Step's Thursday nights at Shine with resident DJ Ron Trent. Carl Hancock Rux is a Brooklyn-based poet/author/playwright who recorded the track "Lamentations," produced by Ron Trent, as a precursor to his Giant Step Records album, Apothecary Rx. Part 2 features a rare recording of Carl and members of The Groove Collective live at Giant Step.
Giant Step presents Louie Vega & Ron Trent
Shine, NYC - March 1, 2001
This recording was taken from one of our weekly, Thursday night parties at Shine featuring resident Dj Ron Trent and this week's special guest Louie Vega.
Giant Step presents Breakestra w/ DJs Peanut Butter Wolf, Egon & Shortkut - Shine, NYC - March 13, 2001
This recording is part of Giant Step's Miles Ahead concert series that ran for four seasons in partnership with Levi's.
Giant Step presents Nickodemus
Shine, NYC - May 31, 2001
A classic night at Shine with Nickodemus taking DJ duties. Nick had been playing with Giant Step since the early 1990s. He then went on to start Turntables On The Hudson with his partner Mariano. Giant Step and TOTH continued to collaborate with parties, guest DJs, and eventually a label partnership too. Here, Nickodemus is playing with regular Giant Step musicians.
Gilles Peterson presents The BBC Sessions Live!
Canal Room, NYC - October 11, 2005
Official Event Description: Giant Step is proud to bring you a not-to-be-missed event to kick off their 15 Year Celebration Month. In addition to a rare Gilles Peterson DJ set, the night will feature an all-star cast of live performers including Dwele, Bilal, Jazmine Sullivan, Amp Fiddler, Heavy, drummer Steve Reid and surprise guests. Robert Glasper and his band will back the artists and the show will end with an appearance and special tribute to the legendary Larry Mizell.
Giant Step presents Gilles Peterson
Cielo, NYC - October 17, 2006
Cielo was almost the perfect club: incredible sound, intimate size, and the dance floor being the focus of attention. Gilles' New York sets were always special, but Cielo seemed to go to another level. This night captured Gilles at his eclectic best.
Giant Step presents Ron Trent
Shine, NYC - September 27, 2001
The Giant Step weekly party was at Shine, located on the corner of Canal Street and West Broadway in downtown New York. This recording is very significant as it was the first time the club reopened since the September 11th tragedy that had happened only a few blocks away at the World Trade Center. At that time, anything below Canal Street was closed to any non residents or emergency workers; it's amazing that the club opened even that soon. This night was also celebrating the release of the Giant Step Sessions CD that featured many Giant Step Records releases and other favorites from the weekly.
Ron Trent
Giant Step Records Sessions Vol. 1 - 2001
This was a commercial CD release where Giant Step showcased our latest releases from our label that had only been previously available on vinyl, plus the DJ skills of Ron Trent and the other big tunes from the weekly club at that time. This album epitomized what was happening at the club but also the direction of the record label from Jody Watley to Donnie to Carl Hancock Rux.
Giant Step presents Rich Medina
Le Bain, NYC - May 2012
In May 2012, Giant Step's monthly night at Le Bain on the 18th floor of the Standard Hotel saw a packed dance floor for a very special night with accomplished DJ, producer Rich Medina.
Offline with Q-Tip
Irving Plaza, NYC - July 20, 2012
The July edition of Offline managed to top June's debut party - simply amazing! A crowd of almost a thousand music lovers partied into the wee hours of morning, with such notables as Steve Nash and Busta Rhymes joining in the revelry. The centerpiece was Q-Tip's specially designed DJ booth positioned in the middle of the floor. The night ended with the man himself descending from his command center for a final dance off. Photo credit: by Joe Conzo
Offline with Q-Tip
Irving Plaza, NYC - August 17, 2012
Q-Tip live at Offline, his monthly NYC party at Irving Plaza, August 17th. Photo credit: Joe Conzo
Giant Step presents Gilles Peterson with Leron Thomas
LPR, NYC - October 25, 2012
A classic Gilles Peterson DJ set from the fall of 2012. The venue in New York was Le Poisson Rouge, which was formally the legendary Village Gate. Gilles played all night with no opener, plus a great live set from jazz artist & Houston born trumpeter, composer, and vocalist Leron Thomas.
Giant Step presents Rich Medina
Le Bain, NYC - November 2013
In November 2013, Giant Step's monthly night at Le Bain on the 18th floor of the Standard Hotel welcomed back the one and only DJ, producer Rich Medina for another spectacular night of dancing.
Giant Step 25th Anniv. ft. Nickodemus & Jazzy Nice + More
Le Bain, NYC - September 2015
We recorded the night from our 25th anniversary at Le Bain at The Standard, High Line in New York City on September 21st. The set features DJs Jazzy Nice, Nickodemus plus musical guests Nappy G, Jay Rodriguez, & Genji Siraisi.
Gilles Peterson Marathon Fundraiser w/ Jonesy, François K, Louie Vega, Justin Carter & Benji B - Le Bain, NYC - Nov 6, 2016
In 2016, Gilles Peterson came to New York to run in its world famous marathon to raise money for the Steve Reid Foundation. His plan was to play a DJ set as long as his marathon run. He was also joined by some of his friends: Francois K, Louie Vega, Justin Carter, Benji B, Tedd Patterson, and Jonsey. For the first time you are able to hear this incredible musical journey in full. We have this night in 8 parts divided by DJ.
Gilles Peterson with Maurice Bernstein & Corey King
The Lot Radio, Brooklyn - September 18, 2018
Gilles Peterson brings his 2 hour show live from New York, in collaboration with the Brooklyn-based station The Lot Radio. Maurice Bernstein, the founder of Giant Step, talks about the 25 year history of Giant Step, a media, events and marketing company headquartered in New York City. Corey King, a songwriter, singer, trombonist, showcases his new material and various collaboration projects.
Nickodemus at Giant Step’s Thievery Corporation Show
SOB’s, New York City - July 19, 1999
Nickodemus mixed live at SOB’s in New York City for Giant Step’s show with Thievery Corporation.
