John H Stein

Biography
Press

Internationally renowned jazz guitarist John Stein was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri USA where he took up his instrument at an early age. His talent for and love of music ultimately brought him to a position on the faculty at Berklee College of Music. There he continues to inspire new musicians and to perfect his own style.

John has performed as a leader or a sideman with some of America’s finest jazz acts. His compositions and performances cover the spectrum of jazz, from blues to bebop to bossas to swing. John has toured in the United States as well as in Brazil, Germany, France and Switzerland.

John’s newest recording, Concierto Internacional de Jazz, has just been released on the Whaling City Sound Label (WCS 031). Recorded in Brazil during a recent concert tour, Concierto Internacional de Jazz is a collaboration between John and some of Brazil’s most prominent jazz musicians. Stein’s collaborators are superb instrumentalists, and perform with the highest level of musicianship. Flavored by the combined sensibilities of two distinct musical cultures, Concerto Internacional de Jazz features a wonderful variety of musical textures and moods, excellent originals, and an interesting selection of standards.

John's debut CD, Hustle Up! [KFW 172], was released in 1995 on Tightly Knit Records a subsidiary of Knitting Factory Works. John is also featured on the wonderful recording, Ron Gill Sings the Songs of Billy Strayhorn [WGBH 1001] released in December 1997, by WGBH Radio in Boston. John's recording, Green Street [A-Records, AL 73158] featuring reed-playing legend, David "Fathead" Newman, was released in 1999 to critical acclaim. John's third release, in 2000, Portraits and Landscapes [Jardis Records, JRCD 20029] features Larry Goldings on piano and organ. Conversation Pieces [Jardis Records, JRCD 20140] released in January 2002, is John's second collaboration with David "Fathead" Newman. Interplay, on Azica Records (AJD72226), was released in 2004 and features John with Yoron Israel on drums, and John Lockwood on bass. The trio’s telepathic interaction and superb musicianship generates many spontaneous and exceptional moments.

"My music is the result of a lifetime's involvement with my instrument, the guitar, and many hours studying theory, composition, arranging, and musical history," says John. His warm and deeply expressive creative jazz performances move and excite audiences wherever he appears.

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John H Stein guitar

- On Green Street, John Stein set out to pay homage to Grant Green, the '60s organ trio and the Rudy Van Gelder sound that captured so many of the classic albums of this genre. As icing on the cake, he added the great David "Fathead" Newman's flute, alto, and tenor on several tracks. This is an excellent album filled with many delights. It's a joy to hear how the group blends like they've been on the road for years. Ken Clark's organ pedal bass and Dave Hurst's ride cymbal lock in to keep the music moving effortlessly. One key to its success is that it is an homage, not an overly-wrought re-enactment. This is music happening now with a nod to a wonderful era. Michael Cuscuna, Mosaic Records

- John Stein knows how to groove. His guitar work is always tasty - when comping behind soloists as well as when taking his improvisations. Like his playing, Stein's compositions display a lack of vanity and are interesting without being overly busy. The choice of instrumentation and different instrumental combinations keeps his latest release, Concerto Internacional de Jazz, constantly fresh and entertaining. Dave Miele, Jazz Improv Magazine `

- Stein fills each piece with sensual guitar melodies that flow seamlessly like a Brazilian summer breeze. He explores each melodic reference passionately but gently, pulling substance from the air and cementing it as if his lyrical building blocks were made from palm fronds. Jim Santella, All About Jazz

- Concierto Internacional de Jazz demonstrates Stein's tremendous flexibility and musicality on electric guitar, playing with the tasteful edge of Jim Hall, and the strength of his Brazilian rhythm section. Chris M. Slawecki, All About Jazz

- Concierto Internacional de Jazz is mainstream contemporary jazz played by a blend of U.S. and Brazilian musicians who speak the same musical language. Stein's unfailingly melodic yet solidly driving guitar lines push the entire ensemble always forward, with strong and tasteful support from the Brazilian musicians who bring an innate sensitivity to sensuous dance rhythms and a subtly syncopated sense of melancholy. Jon Lehman, The Patriot Ledger

- Guitarist John Stein has a way of making every familiar situation sound new. Stein's playing, as always, is proof that loud-and-fast isn't the only way a guitarist can convey technique and depth of feeing. Jon Garelick, The Boston Phoenix

- John Stein's Concerto International de Jazz is a terrific collection of new tunes recorded in San Paulo. This CD from Whaling City Sound is as good as it gets. Don Fowler, Rhode Island Newspaper Group

- John's playing has always been noteworthy, but this recording presents a very mature and sophisticated player. Interplay is worthy of multiple listenings, as these pieces are played beautifully. Francis A. Forte, M.D., Just Jazz Guitar

- Interplay - Ah! Another great CD by John Stein. There are just a handful of guitarists who play these great tunes on the level of John Stein. It's such a nice trio where everybody is a contributor. Jerry Atkins, KTXK fm, National Public Radio

- Stein has a quiet and appealing sound and, as with Lockwood and Israel, he is expert at leaving space and making every note count. Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

- He (Stein) wrings more expression out of a melodic line then most other guitarists. Aaron Steinberg, JazzTimes

- John Stein's fifth CD (Interplay) proves that the seemingly effortless phrasing and the ringing certainty of tone heard before are essential components of his style. Bill Donaldson, Cadence Magazine

- Stein's most recent disc (Interplay) shows a quietly melodic, harmonically sophisticated voice of his own. Bill Beuttler, The Boston Globe

- I've always been attracted by the music John sent me. I appreciate and like his approach to composing. He writes simple but clever and effective things. His tunes are beautiful miniatures, and seem to be fun to blow on. I like the honesty of his tone, phrasing and musical ideas. That's why I think his projects fit nicely into the JARDIS repertoire. Heiner Franz, President Jardis Records

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