Jazz Pianist Steve Kuhn'at WPI

Jazz Pianist Steve Kuhn'at WPI 1He's not a footnote anymore By Chet Williamson McFarland, Freddie Hubbard. The whole After Coltrane, Kuhn work- ianist Steve Kuhn has lived the life Modem Jazz Quartet was there. Gunther ed with Stan Getz and Art of a footnote long enough. Now's Shuller, George Russell, Bill Evans and Farmer and many others. He the time to give the man his due. Kenny Dorham. So I met a number of peo- has recorded more than 30 P Relatively unknown outside of jazz ple up there." albums as a leader, and has circles - even after 40 years of playing - That fall, Kuhn moved to New York to been a sideman on many more. Kuhn is best known as Hthe pianist who pursue a career as a jazz musician. In the late '70s, Kuhn formed a played in John Coltrane's first quartet." HIchecked into a seedy hotel on 54th quartet that was yet another Kuhn Street," Kuhn said, laughing. flIt was important chapter in Kuhn's took some somewhat traumatic, but I really felt as illustrious career. time recent- though that is where I had to be." The Steve Kuhn Quartet Music ly to reflect A job with trumpeter Kenny Dorham will appear in a rare reunion about his gave Kuhn the confidence to approach performance at 7 p.m. Steve Kuhn career, talk about the presence of Coltrane Coltrane. HIknew that he was leaving Miles Sunday, Feb. 18, at Worcester and what lies ahead. and looking to form a band, so I just called Polytechnic Institute's Alden HIhad a mild heart attack about three him out of the blue," Kuhn said, refening Hall. Besides Kuhn, the all-star group con- ures and sweeping arpeggios. With a fond- weeks ago. But I am OK," Kuhn said, to Coltrane. HI said, 'I 'know you don't sists of vocalist Sheila Jordan, bassist Harvie ness for fractional time or no time signa- speaking by phone from his home in know who I am. I am currently working Swartz and drummer Bob Moses. Kuhn tures at all, Kuhn will also slip into silence Westchester, N.Y. with Kenny Dorham and I would love to will also conduct a workshop/clinic earlier as part of his tonal palette. Born in New York City in 1938, Kuhn play with you sometime and maybe we in the day, at 3 p.m., at the same location. On his latest Postcards disc, Seasons of started playing piano at the age of 5. Kuhn could get together and rehearse.' " It is difficult to trace the influences in Romance, Kuhn is radiant throughout. graduated from Harvard University in 1959 Kuhn worked with Coltrane for three Kuhn's piano playing. Although he is With a very impressionistic approach to where he studied with composer Walter months and then was replaced by McCoy well-versed in schools from bebop to the harmony, Kuhn's effect is like a Monet Piston. That summer, Kuhn received a Tyner, whom Coltrane had been waiting present, he is devoid of cliches. You can painting of waterlilies - his colors arc scholarship to the newly organized Lenox for all along. HBut the time I spent with almost hear him thinking, probing and always moving, mixing and shimmering, Schoolofjazz. John was very special to me. The electrici- challenging his intellect. but never muddy. And although he can HIt was just this big three-week hang ty and the way the audience responded to A consummate accompanist, Kuhn is swing with the best of them, he prefers to with jazz luminaries," Kuhn recalled. HThis him was incredible. It was like a revival impressive without drawing attention to win you over with more subtle valentines, was the first year it happened. It included meeting in church or something. himself. He will employ orchestral tech- proving he is not just a mere footnote but • Omette Coleman, Don Cherry, Gary Amazing!H niques such as counterpoint, ostinato fig- a pianist for all seasons. •.

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