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Steven Lugerner

About Me

A Bay Area transplant to the NYC scene, multi-reedist Steven Lugerner maintains an active bi-costal performance schedule - as both a leader and sidemen. Since his relocation to New York City, Lugerner has fostered contacts, study and collaboration with such artists as: Grammy nominated pianist Fred Hersch; soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom; flutist/composer Jamie Baum; trumpeter Ralph Alessi; pianist Myra Melford; percussionist Matt Wilson; woodwind doubler Charles Pillow; trumpeter Darren Johnston & SFJAZZ Collective member Miguel Zenon.

Steven Lugerner was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area in a multicultural, artistically nurturing family. He began his early musical studies “attempting” to play the trumpet - a painful experience for both student and family audience. Thankfully, he followed the suggestion of his music teacher and switched to lessons on the clarinet. He soon discovered his niche in the world of woodwind instruments.

His elementary school music studies coupled with involvement in youth orchestra allowed him to refine his studies on the clarinet and additionally inspired his interest and concentration to the oboe, an instrument no fifth grader dared to take up. During his middle school and high school years, Lugerner performed on both the clarinet and oboe in school and college-level bands, as well as professional pit orchestras. It was in mid-high school that he began a dedicated study of saxophone and the exploration of jazz and improvised music. This was a natural reconnection to the sounds of his childhood years characterized by the household music of Paul Desmond, Stan Getz, Milt Jackson and Steely Dan.

Reflecting the cultural values of his Bay Area roots, Lugerner’s music encompasses the richness of diversity. He is a skilled woodwind doubler on saxophone, bass clarinet, clarinet, oboe, english horn, flute and alto flute. Lugerner creates a singular musical experience that is reflected in any one of his projects. By combining his early training and affection for classical music with his devotion to improvised music and jazz, Lugerner succeeds in creating music that appeals to all audiences.