Once Upon a Dream - Stephen Riley

Once Upon a Dream is tenor saxophonist Stephen Riley's album for SteepleChase Records, released in 2007. The duo format pairs Riley's tenor with bassist John Brown alone — no piano, drums, or other instruments — across eleven tracks of standards and originals. The program includes "Tune Up," "Meditation," "Solitude," "Tea for Two," "Lover, Come Back to Me," Cole Porter's "All of You," and the lesser-known "I'm an Old Cowhand" and Johnny Griffin's "Swingin' Till the Girls Come Home." The saxophone-bass duo is among the most exposed settings in jazz — without a rhythm section to fill harmonic or rhythmic space, every note is heard clearly, and the interaction between the two musicians must sustain interest on its own. Riley, a Lester Young-influenced tenor player known for his light, airy tone and understated approach, thrives in this stripped-down context. Brown's bass provides walking lines, harmonic support, and contrapuntal interplay. The title track is a Riley original. The album reflects Riley's commitment to the tenor-bass duo format, which he has explored across multiple recordings, and demonstrates his melodic gift for finding fresh phrases within familiar standard material.