Jazz Articles about Steven Kroon

Steven Kroon: On The # 1

by Edward Blanco
April 19, 2014

New York percussionist Steven Kroon offers a percussive-laden session of Afro-Cuban rhythms, a slice of Brazil and draws on his Nuyorican heritage for a taste of the Puerto Rican flair, in presenting On The # 1, the fifth self- produced album of this veteran musician's 45-year plus musical journey. Long a part of the jazz, blues, R&B and Latin music world playing as both a sideman and leader of his own light ensembles, Kroon brings back the group he has ...

Steven Kroon: On The #1

by Dan Bilawsky
April 7, 2014

Steven Kroon has long been a first-call percussionist for the musical elite, adding seasonings and spices to the variety of R&B, jazz, and soul dishes that these bigwigs make. He's worked behind Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, Diana Krall, Stanley Turrentine, and numerous others over the past three-plus decades. Many will forever think of Kroon as a support player of note, but more and more listeners are starting to know him as a leader. ...

Steven Kroon: El Mas Alla (Beyond)

by John Barron
October 2, 2008

Growing up in Queens, New York, percussionist Steven Kroon soaked up the sounds of the Latin, jazz and R&B music permeating his neighborhood. The influence of such a diverse musical environment helped shape his personalized style, catching the attention of big-name pop and jazz artists like Luther Vandross and Ron Carter. Along with being a first-call percussion sideman, Kroon is also an engaging bandleader, as evidenced by his third solo release: El Mas Alla (Beyond), a polished Latin-jazz production with ...

Steven Kroon: Looking Beyond

by Chip Boaz
August 26, 2008

Percussionist Steve Kroon has spent many years walking through a variety of musical worlds. He spent his childhood years surrounded by all sorts of musical figures, with connections to jazz, Cuban music, rhythm and blues, Brazilian music, and more. His deep involvement led to local performance and recording jobs, and eventually a high profile gig with singer Luther Vandross that lasted twenty years. At the same time, Kroon began an association another musical icon, jazz bassist Ron Carter; their musical ...

Stevie Holland: Restless Willow

by C. Michael Bailey
February 7, 2005

With the title derived from the opening track, “It Might As Well Be Spring," singer Stevie Holland could be considered the personified restless willow. Holland has an easy vocal style that never falls prey to over-extension. She swings with a confident grace, her phrasing tasteful and accurate. These are the things that may strike the listener upon spinning Restless Willow for the first time. Skip on over to “Summertime" and hear a performance that will not blaze new trails in ...

Stevie Holland: Restless Willow

by Michael P. Gladstone
December 20, 2004

On her third album, singer Stevie Holland offers eleven well-balanced cabaret/jazz selections. She is accompanied by a good group that includes Kenny Washington, George Small, Tim Ferguson, Noel Sagerman, Sean Harkness, Steve Kroon, Joe Mennonna and a guest shot from David “Fathead" Newman. Holland has co-written and performed with producer Gary William Friedman in the past and her first album in 2000 consisted of all Friedman material. On this album, Friedman provides the arrangements and orchestrations including strings on some ...

Stevie Holland: Restless Willow

by Jim Santella
November 22, 2004

Singing standards with a clear delivery and a happy outlook, Stevie Holland gives her audience an intimate approach and a convincing, heartfelt persuasion.

James Taylor's “Sunny Skies" coasts along gently with a buoyant aura, allowing Holland to interpret its positive lyrics with a graceful piano trio alongside. “Zoot Walks In" brings an equally rosy outlook with jazz piano trio and tenor saxophone, but the drive of her interpretation glows with much more emphasis. It's the high point of ...