Steve Knight: For Years Gone

Chicago-based jazz man Steve Knight started playing guitar when he was 12 years old, and as he puts it, traded his skateboard for an inexpensive guitar, which "was quite righteous-sounding playing 'Smoke on the Water.'" He has come a long way since then, and For Years Gone offers plenty of evidence to prove this.

Knight's self-produced 2022 debut Persistence (Self Produced) struck a chord with jazz guitar fans, and his sophomore release shows him developing his voice as both a guitarist and composer even further. Working along with bassist Justin Peterson and drummer Linard Stroud—two reliable fixtures on the Chicago jazz scene—Knight presents a varied and thoughtful collection of originals and imaginative covers, all anchored by his lyrical tone and unforced sense of swing.

The album opens with "Lure," a fresh blues that immediately sets the tone. Knight's melodic line is singable and subtly clever, with harmonic turns that hint at his desire to stretch the form without abandoning its roots. "Cracklin,'" a tribute to Roy Haynes, and "Colossus," an under-the-radar Pat Martino piece, follow suit with up-tempo energy and rhythmic bite.

Knight's gift for reimagining familiar tunes is another highlight. His take on "Pure Imagination" maintains the tune's sentimental core while bringing out its off-kilter structure—a smart move that lets the trio stretch in unexpected ways. The classic Beatles track "Something" receives a fresh, melodic jazz interpretation that is bold and exploratory, yet never loses its emotional pull. Similarly, Joni Mitchell's "Urge for Going" becomes a quietly powerful meditation on change, with the trio conveying the song's lyrical power even without words.

The title track, written for Knight's late mother, is slow and introspective, one of the album's emotional high points. "Kothbiro," by Kenyan artist Ayub Ogada, is another standout—sparse and atmospheric, with Peterson's arco bass adding haunting resonance.

Knight also nods to the jazz canon with a playful take on Charlie Christian's "7 Come 11" and a retooled, up-tempo version of "In a Sentimental Mood" that takes its cue from Ed Cherry's organ trio arrangement. Throughout the album, Knight prioritizes groove and melody over technical fireworks, offering solos that feel organic to the moment rather than superimposed.

For Years Goneconfirms what Persistence promised: Steve Knight is a guitarist of taste and imagination. He does not rely on pyrotechnics to make his point—though he has the chops—but instead invites the listener into the music, crafting performances that are warm, creative, and grounded in a deep love for the guitar tradition.

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