Steve Kuhn

Highly regarded jazz pianist and composer Steve Kuhn is known for his sophisticated ear for harmony and his lyrical motivic approach to improvisation. His adaptive, forward-thinking skills have found him moving across various genres, from swinging acoustic post-bop to classical-influenced chamber jazz and the avant-garde. After early stints with Kenny Dorham, John Coltrane, and Art Farmer, Kuhn debuted as a leader in 1963 and went on to record several probing and atmospheric albums for ECM during the '70s and early '80s. Many of his mid- to late '80s albums showcase a mix of well-curated standards along with his inventive original compositions -- a template that continued throughout the next decade. He eventually returned to ECM and retained his exploratory edge. ~ Matt Collar