Jazz Articles about Steve Lehman

Steve Lehman Quartet: Manifold

by Greg Camphire
January 11, 2008

Coming hot on the heels of his quintet release, On Meaning, productive saxophonist/composer Steve Lehman switches labels to drop Manifold, an intriguing quartet club performance captured live at Portugal's Jazz ao Centro Festival. With a strong cast of trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson, drummer Nasheet Waits and bassist John Hebert, Lehman embraces an expansive set of musical agendas combining cerebral precision with passionate intensity.

“Interface D kicks off the date with an M-Base-influenced concept, where Waits' loose, abstracted James Brown beats churn ...

Steve Lehman Quintet: On Meaning

by Troy Collins
December 31, 2007

Saxophonist Steve Lehman is a Fulbright scholar and former student of legendary saxophonists Jackie McLean and Anthony Braxton. His recent collaborations with pianist Vijay Iyer and guitarist Liberty Ellman have found him further expanding the intricate polyrhythms and asymmetrical structures that define the M- Base aesthetic. Incorporating the angular polyphony of Braxton's concepts with the advanced rhythmic foundation of his peers, Lehman offers a refreshing slant on contemporary traditions.

Closer in spirit to his highly regarded quintet debut, ...

Steve Lehman: On Meaning

by Martin Longley
December 13, 2007

Even though saxophonist Steve Lehman is uncompromisingly his own composer, an airing of this quintet work can't help but call to mind his forebearers. The prominence of Chris Dingman's vibraphone prompts thoughts of a more wayward version of the Dave Holland Quintet, maybe closer to The Claudia Quintet in its rhythmically angular strikes. Then, Lehman is a rigorous technician who might superficially be viewed as somewhat cerebral, but upon deeper immersion displays a keen emotional expressiveness. This is reminiscent of ...

Steve Lehman: Demian as Posthuman

by AAJ Italy Staff
December 13, 2006

Steve Lehman si può considerare una delle voci più interessanti emerse dall’ultima generazione di sassofonisti. Appena venticinquenne opera con medesime soddisfazioni sia nel campo della musica contemporanea che in ambito jazzistico; ed anche sul versante della musica improvvisata ama sorprendere con continui cambi di direzione. Se nell’ultimo Artificial Light aveva messo in mostra una esplosiva miscela di freebop, swing e modern jazz con questo Demian as Posthuman si spinge dalle parti di un jazz garbatamente elettronico dalle venature minimaliste. E ...

Steve Lehman: Demian as Posthuman

by Terrell Kent Holmes
February 7, 2006

How can a disc with Steve Lehman, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tyshawn Sorey and Vijay Iyer go wrong? Demian as Posthuman clocks in at a short, sweet 37 minutes and is essentially a series of sax/drum duets with variations on the same theme (electric bassist Ndegeocello and drummer Eric McPherson are on three of twelve cuts, Iyer on only two). While it aspires to a jazz/funk/fusion blend, it's only moderately successful, despite the heavyweight players. “Vapors finds Lehman blowing ...

Steve Lehman: Demian as Posthuman

by Paul Olson
October 11, 2005

Altoist Steve Lehman's quintet recording Artificial Light was one of last year's best albums, but Demian as Posthuman couldn't be more different. The mathematical-time compositions and bracing band dynamic of last year's release sounded utterly modern, but it was essentially a recording made by musicians playing in real time. The new release features some fine players, but in many respects it's a Lehman solo record. Several songs include pianist Vijay Iyer, electric bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, and turntablist Jahi Lake, but ...

Steve Lehman: Grooving Not Repeating

by Phil DiPietro
February 21, 2005

While many lament the current state of jazzy affairs, a closer look reveals a scene bursting with talent and potential, some of it more fully realized earlier than others. In 2004, no younger hopes for the future of jazz burned as brightly as the 26-year old alto saxophone phenom Steve Lehman. With what many thought was his debut recording (read on), Artificial Light , Lehman made his mark by asserting himself with authoritative command over music so incredibly demanding rhythmically ...