Saxophonist Stephen Riley and pianist Peter Zak made their first duo release on 'Haunted Heart' in 2015, to critical and public acclaim. 'Deuce' is the follow up recording by the empathic twosome.

Stephen Riley started his recording career with SteepleChase in 2005 with an amazing (and unusual) piano-less trio album 'Inside Out'. Since then he had more often than not opted for the piano-less format until he recorded his 2013 quartet release 'Lover' with Peter Zak on piano.

"This session is his third meeting with pianist Peter Zak, whose sensitive accompaniment allows Riley the breathing room he thought could only be found in pianoless groups. This time, however, it's just the pair, finding new avenues through a mix of jazz standards and gems from the Great American Songbook. Without timekeeping by a rhythm section, the players rely on intuition to anticipate their joint path...With 'Haunted Heart', Stephen Riley and Peter Zak have achieved that rare chemistry that demands future projects together." - Ken Dryden, New York City Jazz Record (on 'Haunted Heart')

Personnel: Stephen Riley (tenor saxophone), Peter Zak (piano)