Steve Kuhn has recorded a wide variety of music in his career, sometimes as a sideman (including with Sheila Jordan, Art Farmer, Kenny Dorham and Stan Getz), and more often as a leader. On Pastorale, he returns to his bop-oriented roots. Playing straight-ahead jazz with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Billy Drummond, Kuhn digs into seven vintage standards plus two of his originals. Kuhn hints at both Bud Powell and Bill Evans in spots while retaining his own musical personality. His improvisations are thoughtful, often joyful and always intriguing, really uplifting "Charade" and coming up with fresh variations to "Remember." This is one of Kuhn's most accessible dates and is highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Charade 7:54
2 Remember 7:49
3 Years Later 7:10
4 Once Upon A Summertime 5:08
5 How Am I To Know? 8:13
6 My Buddy 4:53
7 I'll Take Romance 8:13
8 I'm Glad There Is You 5:07
9 Pastorale 4:23
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Billy Drummond
Piano – Steve Kuhn
30.7.24
STEVE KUHN – Pastorale (2007) FLAC (tracks), lossless
STEVE KUHN TRIO — Plays Standards (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Veteran jazz pianist Steve Kuhn has proved to be a popular artist in Japan, recording a series of CDs for the Japanese label Venus. On these 2006 sessions, Kuhn is joined by bassist Buster Williams and drummer Al Foster, two artists who also have extensive résumés. While the CD is titled Plays Standards, Kuhn doesn't stick exclusively to well-known works. In addition to Victor Young's widely recognized "Beautiful Love" (a favorite of pianist Bill Evans), the pianist offers a seductive take of the composer's "Golden Earrings" and a lighthearted, breezy setting of "Love Letters" as well. Kuhn's intense workout of "Alone Together" includes an amusing detour into Thelonious Monk's "Locomotive," while his revamping of "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" disguises the tune rather well. Kuhn also revisits his original "Oceans in the Sky," a brilliant piece evocative of a coming storm. Highly recommended. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 Alone Together 7:16
Written-By – A. Schwartz
2 Golden Earrings 5:31
Written-By – V. Young
3 I Wish I Knew 5:59
Written-By – H. Warren
4 Left Alone 4:07
Written-By – M. Waldron
5 Blue Bossa 5:28
Written-By – K. Dorham
6 Nature Boy 6:34
Written-By – E. Ahbez
7 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 6:32
Written-By – S. Romberg
8 You Leave Me Breathless 5:20
Written-By – F. Hollander
9 Oceans In The Sky 6:18
Written-By – S. Kuhn
10 I See Your Face Before Me 5:28
Written-By – A. Schwartz
11 Love Letters 6:50
Written-By – V. Young
12 Beautiful Love 4:35
Written-By – E.V. Alstyne, V. Young, W. King
Credits :
Bass – Buster Williams
Drums – Al Foster
Piano – Steve Kuhn
STEVE KUHN TRIO — Live at Birdland (2007) APE (image + .cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 If I Were A Bell 10:08
Written-By – Frank Loesser
2 Jitterbug Waltz 11:05
Written-By – Thomas Waller
3 Two By Two 7:04
Written-By – Steve Kuhn
4 La Plus Que Lente / Passion Flower 7:11
Written-By – B. Strayhorn, C. Debussy
5 Little Waltz 7:24
Written-By – Ron Carter
6 Lotus Blossom 6:13
Written-By – Kenny Dorham
7 Stella By Starlight 8:13
Written-By – N. Washington, V. Young
8 Slow Hot Wind 7:16
Written-By – H. Mancini, N. Gimbel
9 Clotilde 6:19
Written-By – Steve Kuhn
10 Confirmation 7:09
Written-By – Charlie Parker
Credits :
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Al Foster
Piano – Steve Kuhn
STEVE KUHN TRIO – Baubles, Bangles And Beads (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
This trio session by Steve Kuhn includes classical works and pieces adapted into pop songs decades ago. He initially studied classical music as a young man with the mother of baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff, so he is well grounded in the music. With bassist Dave Finck and Billy Drummond accompanying him, Kuhn's driving, boppish treatments of "Till the End of Time" (based upon Chopin's Polonaise No. 53) and "Stranger in Paradise" (taken from Borodin's Plovetzian Dance) sizzle with energy. His vibrant waltz setting of Erik Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1 is far removed from the Impressionist composer's minimalist conception, with Finck's arco bass solo adding an interesting touch. Borodin's "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" was a favorite of baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan during the 1950s; the trio's introspective approach works equally well. While classical listeners who are unfamiliar with jazz may have reservations, jazz fans will savor these outstanding performances. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 And This Is My Beloved - Nocturne From "Strings Quartet No.2" 4:49
2 Till The End Of Time - Polonaise No.53 6:01
3 Symphony No.3, 3rd Movement 4:58
4 If You Are But A Dream - Romance 4:49
5 Stranger In Paradise - Plovetzian Dance 3:53
6 Gymnopedie No.1 6:05
7 I Think Of You - Piano Concerto No.2, 1st Movement Op.18 5:31
8 Prelude In C Minor No.20, Op28 3:56
9 I Look At Heaven - Piano Concerto In A Minor Op6, 1st Movement 5:10
10 Baubles, Bangles And Beads - Strings Quartet No.2 In D 5:28
11 Vilia - From "The Merry Widow" 4:32
12 Prelude No.7, Op28 5:23
Credits :
Double Bass – David Finck
Drums – Billy Drummond
Piano – Steve Kuhn
STEVE KUHN TRIO W/ JOE LOVANO – Mostly Coltrane (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 Welcome 4:56
John Coltrane
2 Song Of Praise 7:26
John Coltrane
3 Crescent 6:20
John Coltrane
4 I Want To Talk About You 5:56
Billy Eckstine
5 The Night Has A Thousand Eyes 8:41
Buddy Bernier / Jerome Brainin
6 Living Space 5:08
John Coltrane
7 Central Park West 3:46
John Coltrane
8 Like Sonny 6:00
John Coltrane
9 With Gratitude 3:37
Steve Kuhn
10 Configuration 4:19
John Coltrane
11 Jimmy's Mode 6:53
John Coltrane
12 Spiritual 8:15
John Coltrane
13 Trance 5:24
Steve Kuhn
Credits :
Double Bass – David Finck
Drums – Joey Baron
Piano – Steve Kuhn
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Tenor Saxophone, Tárogató [Tarogato] – Joe Lovano
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ANDREW CYRILLE | WADADA LEO SMITH | BILL FRISELL — Lebroba (2018) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Lebroba, Andrew Cyrille's second leader date for ECM, finds the septuagenarian rhythm explorer trading in all but guitarist Bill Frisell...