Jazz Articles about Steve Coleman

Steve Coleman: Elements Of One

by Norman Weinstein
May 3, 2005

Steve Coleman Elements Of One Chod 2005

This 90 minute documentary by Eve-Marie Breglia about the saxophonist and composer Steve Coleman sets a benchmark for just how intellectually engaging a film portrait of a jazz musician can be. The film records a six year odyssey highlighting Coleman's career in the 1990s, concentrating on his travels in Cuba, Senegal, India, Egypt, France, and The U.S.

But before the musical travels commence, Breglia concentrates on Coleman's ...

Steve Coleman: Lucidarium

by Norman Weinstein
September 16, 2004

Steve Coleman Lucidarium Label Bleu 2004

Jazz Composer and Performer as Philosopher...

These thoughts were triggered by the impossibility for me of reviewing the notable new album Lucidarium by Steve Coleman and his band, the Five Elements. Normally, someone who has spent over twenty years reviewing jazz albums would not make a big fuss in print about the inability to write an album review. In this instance, the feeling of being inadequate to the ...

Steve Coleman and Five Elements: The Sonic Language of Myth

by AAJ Staff
August 1, 1999

The '90s have kept alto saxophonist Steve Coleman busy. Among his many projects, the Five Elements group represents some of his most coherent music. As opposed to groups like the Mystic Rhythm Society, his Five Elements group has always maintained a funkier edge and a deeper groove.The idea of the material on The Sonic Language of Myth, as Coleman articulates it, relates to symbolic representation of experience and such abstract concepts as resistance, renewal, and resurrection. As this ...

Steve Coleman: The Sonic Language of Myth

by Jack Bowers
July 1, 1999

A lot of sound and fury here. Signifying what? Well, according to RCA Victor’s publicity department, The Sonic Language of Myth is “a philosophical journey in sound. Incorporating ancient philosophical, astrological and musical precepts into his compositional foundation, Steve Coleman presents his way of hearing and experiencing music.” And since these precepts are so ancient, who’s going to argue with him? Not I. I’m far more interested in the music itself. Is it Jazz? More or less. Does it swing? ...