Interview/Profile News

Pianist Steve Kuhn Speaks Out About Japan at AAJ

SOURCE:

Published: 2009-08-19

Steve Kuhn's most recent CD, Mostly Coltrane (ECM, 2009), pays tribute to John Coltrane, having been the first pianist in the legendary saxophonist's quartet. He also has played as a sideman with Kenny Dorham, Art Farmer, Stan Getz and many others. Mostly Kuhn has led his own groups, largely trios with bassists including Buster Williams, Eddie Gomez and David Finck and drummers such as Al Foster and Billy Drummond.

Kuhn has a long association with ECM Records, which also released the three-disc box set Life's Backward Glances: Solo and Quartet in 2009, containing first-time CD issues of Ecstasy (1975), Playground (1980) and Motility (1977). Another ECM highlight is Promises Kept (2004), with strings orchestrated and conducted by Carlos Franzetti. Kuhn has also had long associations with Reservoir Records and Venus Records.

AAJ Contributor Wayne Zade revives his Jazz in Japan column with this insightful interview with an artist who may live in the United States, but spends considerable time each year in Japan. Check out Kuhn's views on the Japanes jazz scene in Steve Kuhn: On Japan, published at AAJ today!

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