The Steve Elmer Trio
Jazz Life - Live @ Cleopatra's Needle, NYC
"Simply a snappy set of solid playing and smart originals that
seem to have been designed purely to make you feel good.
They hit the mark with room to spare."
Midwest Record, October 2010
"The newest CD by Steve Elmer and his regular trio. This
marks the third CD by this trio. Elmer's elegant, experienced
piano, indeed a textbook of straight ahead piano, Shingo
Okudiara's drums, a great balance of delicacy and boldness
and Hide Tanaka's sticky groove pulls the trio together. The
chemistry between the members produce a sense of
flexibility and freedom, only possible from a regular trio.
Truly, a New York Style orthodox piano trio." (Translated
from Japanese)
Ventu Azul Diary, October 2010
The Steve Elmer Trio / Fire Down Below
"Steve Elmer was originally a drummer. He took his first
piano lessons from Lennie Tristano in the mid-1960s,
when he was 25. Between 1976 and 1991 he stopped
playing music professionally. Fire Down Below is
Elmer's fourth recoding as a leader, and his second with
his current trio (bassist Hide Tanaka, drummer Shingo
Okudaira). He plays piano with the ferocity of a man with
no more time to waste. He also plays piano like a former
drummer. He sounds propelled by a powerful internal
rhythmic engine.
"Elmer studied with Tristano but did not follow his path.
He is an unapologetically straightahead player whose first
(and second, and third) priority is to swing his ass off. It
is hard to think of a piano trio album less concerned with
variety and sequencing. Fire Down Below is one burner
after another.
"Elmer wrote all 10 tunes. They are predictable but well
crafted. (Horace Silver might have composed the funky,
catchy Big Chief Red Cloud.) Elmer's rhythm section is
sharp and hot. Tanaka's Hideout features the bassist's
slithering pizzicato and sweetly screeching arco, and is
the freshest piece on the alubum. Both Tanaka and
Okudaira are able to match Elmer's frantic energy, no
mean trick."
Jazz Times, September, 2008
"Forget the big names; Fire Down Below, the new album
by pianist and composer Steve Elmer and his excellent
trio, will knock your socks off. Monkishly playful in terms
of style (especially on GA's Jambalaya), Elmer is
unfailingly compelling when he solos. His band is also
first rate. Hide Tanaka contributes a beaufiful arco bass
solo on Constant Lee, and Shingo Okudira is a powerful
driver on drums throughout. Unltimately what may be
most impressive about Elmer is his compositional skill;
these are great tunes and they just keep coming. The
title cut is an absolute knock-out with a wonderfully catchy
head and then it's off to the races. With lightning speed
and absolute harmonic precision, Elmer makes Big
Brown seems like a turtle. When he slows down for a
gorgeous ballad lke Lasting Love, he is equally
impressive in his subtlety. And, most importantly, he is
totally unpredictable. If you've never heard of Steve
Elmer it's your loss."
RochesterCityNewspaper.com, August, 2008
"Steve Elmer presents a program of entirely original
music with his latest release, entitled Fire Down Below.
His skills as both a pianist and a composer are on full
display on each and every tune. Neither disappoints. He
and his trio play in the modern, post-bop style that
captured my heart as soon as I heard it. Through a
program of well varied material, the band of Steve Elmer,
bassist Hide Tanaka and drummer Shingo Okudaira
swing with a burnin' fire that suggests the disc's title.
"The disc opens with "Sister Joan," a medium-up swing
number. Elmer's love of McCoy Tyner is clearly evident
in his use of bass pedals. The tune is bluesy but
energetic. Elmer and Tanaka take impressive solos,
followed by a spirited round of trading by Elmer and
Okudaira. "Silhouette" is a bossaesque tune which
features extended bass and piano solos. The groove is
relaxed and comfortable. The spirit of McCoy Tyner lives
again with "Constant Lee," which again features a bass
pedal. The tempo is medium-up and the melody is bop-
flavored. "GA's Jambalaya" brings to mind another piano
player; the one and the only Thelonious Monk. The tune
is set in a medium tempo with a loping swing feel. The
title tune is a burnin' fast swing tune. The band swings
hard throughout and each member is featured in an
extended solo as well as shorter traded solos. A nice
contrast is drawn with the next tune, a gentle ballad
entitled "Lasting Love," which serves as a piano feature.
The program continues with "Delicate Balance," a bouncy
waltz. The tune also makes use of bass pedals. Both
Elmer and Tanaka are featured. The humorously titled
"Tanaka's Hideout" features the bassist for which it is
named. This is an eclectic tune, set at a very slow
tempo. Tanaka plays the haunting theme of the tune. His
solo is first-rate. "Big Chief Red Cloud" is set up by fast
Latin drums. When the band comes in, the melody is
unexpectedly catchy and pop-flavored. Elmer takes a
solo and features Okudaira in a solo played"over" the
band. The disc closes with "Aaronology," a medium
tempo bop-floavored swing tune, with hits for the band to
swing through, which they do in incomparable style. Each
member is featured in the all-out jam.
"Fire Down Below is a disc that grabs you from the
beginning with a high dynamic and energy level. The
level drops a bit as the tunes take the listener on a
journey but the fire is still there, down below (if I may be
allowed a pun). The silly play on words is appropriate,
however, when one considers the constant energetic
pulse that lays behind this music, even on its most
relaxed tunes. The musicianship of the trio is top-notch
and the band obviously has built a comfortable rapport.
The benefits of this are tight ensemble playing that
simply has nowehre to hide in the unforgiving format of
the piano trio. The real payoff, of course, is how great
Fire Down Below sounds."
Jazz Improv Magazine, August, 2008
"Steve Elmer was a drummer prior to entering Manhattan
School of Music, though he eventually switched to piano
after studying privately for six years with Lennie Tristano
while also working on a BS in Music Education at Hofstra
University. After earning a master's degree at Queen's
College, Elmer taught there for several years and served
as Director of Jazz Studies with Frank Foster, though he
quit playing music professionally between 1976 and
1991, holding a variety of other jobs. But the jazz bug
was still present, so he returned to serve as musical
director and pianist for The Jazz Mentality, which also
featured saxophonist Chris Potter, recording two CDs
with the group before it disbanded. Fire Down Below is
Elmer's second release leading a trio with bassist Hide
Tanaka and drummer Shingo Okudaira, leading them
through an extensive tour of Japan in early 2007. The
pianist penned ten originals for these 2008 sessions.
Constant Lee is an intense reworking of the chord
changes to What Is This Thing Called Love, dedicated to
one of Tristano's prize pupils, Lee Konitz. GA's
Jambalaya is a loping, playful tune with an infectious
hook. Fire Down Below races to the finish in a furious
workout, while the low key, bluesy Tanaka's Hideout was
conceived as a feature for his bassist, who shows his
humorous side during his engaging solo. This is a
rewarding date by a veteran player deserving of wider
recognition."
AMG All Music Guide (allmusic.com), August, 2008
"A relative newcomer to recording (Fire Down Below is
only his second trio release), Steve Elmer is a late-
sexagenarian who's been playing since his early teens.
With the help of Hide Tanaka and Drummer Shingo
Okudaira, the disc showcases the pianist's compositional
talent and classically-honed chops. Elmer has a lot to
say, packing the tracks with fully fleshed-out
textures...and the tunes provide effective templates for
the trio's dense, cohesive sound. Tanaka's bass is
particularly prominent in the mix; given additional room to
stretch out, he takes full advantage of it on "Tanaka's
Hideout." Okudaira's contribution is immense, including
his relaxed but authoritative swing on the burner "GA's
Jambalaya," delicate brushwork on "Lasting Love," and
tom-tom ad-libs on "Big Chief Red Cloud."
All About Jazz
"In last month's issue, drummer Louis Bellson stated that
the last major contribution to jazz was bebop. If you are
in agreement with that statement, you will be in heaven
with Steve Elmer's Fire Down Below. Pianist Elmer has
imbibed from Bud Powell's well, and has come up with a
bucket overflowing with some hard hitting and vibrant
bop. Elmer's touch is sharp and assertive, confident and
clean. On the Monkish pieces like "GA's Jambalaya" and
"Sister Joan," he attacks the ivories with joy and
insouciance. The piano sounds like it's charging out of
the gate at the derby on the steady galloping title piece
and "Aaronology. Elmer's Horace Silver-like touch on the
tensile ballad "Lasting Love," is filled with resilient ringing
notes. All through this vivacious recording, Elmer's trio is
running on all eight cylinders, with Shingo Okudaira's
flexible drumming most apparent on "Big Chief Red
Cloud." This trio of Elmer, Okudaira and bassist Hide
Tanaka has got a ton of energy and they use it to the
fullest to the listener's delight. Elmer's musical heart is in
the right place. His Fire Down Below has plenty."
All About Jazz
"Fire Down Below is a new record from the Steve Elmer
Trio. The group is comprised of Steve Elmer (no
surprise there), Hide Tanaka, and Shingo Okudaira.
They've been together since 2005 and released one
record before this one called I Used To Be Anonymous.
"The music is gorgeous. Maybe this sounds amateurish
(I must admit I'm a novice in the jazz field) but the piano
sounds like old Gershwin piano rolls, only much more
energetic. It's evident that the group placed genuine
care into each track. Each song is treated like the only
song and you get wrapped up in each one like it's a novel
you don't want to put down. Even without lyrics you can
feel the story behind the music.
"Okudaira's drumming is spot on. The patterns he plays
on the cymbals during "Silhouette" are phenomenal. In
fact, the drumming is brilliant on this entire recording.
Rolls and accents are outstanding but it's the cymbals
that really stood out. There's just some beautiful sticking
on these songs. The same can be said of the bass. It
struts underneath the proficient drums and the sparkling
piano just to remind everyone of how cool the songs are.
"The title track, "Fire Down Below," is a frenetic
showpiece of how well these three play together. It's got
a fast pace and nobody misses a beat. The drum solo
was an abosolute joy to hear; the piano progressions
were outstanding; Tankaka must have worn his fingers
out keeping the bass pace he did. "Lasting Love" is the
next track and it brings the tempo down, offering a
relaxing and touching journey.
"It's an album to check out. You'll be taken with it for a
while."
BlogCritics.Org, June 4, 2008
"Steve Elmer began his musical career as a drummer but
at age 25 started taking piano lessons with the
iconoclastic Lennie Tristano. His playing is a
conglameration of the percussive nature he learned from
drumming and the various influences he absorbed from
careful listening over the years. He is an accomplished
technician who seems more at ease on hard-driving
compositions. His phraseology slyly borrows from many
sources without amounting to grand theft. At times his
sound is reminiscent of Monk, but with a more fluid sense
of swing. The clipped phrasing of his keyboard work is
complemented nicely by a very tight, sympathetic rhythm
secrion, which smoothly shaves off any burrs. Hide
Tanaka's bass produces an especially full round tone that
is particularly well suited in contrast to Elmer's sharp and
at times steely. sound.
"On "Sister Joan," Elmer's lead-in line evokes Monk's
"Well, You Needn't," which to me always seems to
brilliantly keep you wondering where he was going. In
contrast, Elmer's compositions have a comforting sense
of direction, making his writing less groundbreaking, but
he and his compatriots exectue with such polished
presence that the finished product is both enjoyable and
passionate. Steve Elmer has been called the most
anonymous pianist in New York. With this offering, he
may find himself at last discovered."
Jazz.Com, "Sister Joan," Song of the Day, May 19, 2008
"On this second recorded outing for Steve Elmer's trio,
the leader's composition "Fire Down Below" is an up-
tempo romp. His impressively brisk runs give you the
feeling you are scurrying up and down a flight of stairs -
perhaps to get more water. Elmer is quite at home with
single-note demonstrations and chordal shading as well.
Several times he duels with himself in solo calls and
responses. Tanaka and Okudaira are no slouch of a
rhythm section, either. At breakneck speeds, they control
this firefighting emergency effort. Tanaka turns the
nozzle to maximum pressure for his featured spot.
Okudaira throws some more water into the cause with
some heavy beats in between his perfectly paced cymbal
work. This was either a big fire or the guys just can't put it
out. Either way, the energy exerted and the taseful skill
with which it is harnessed makes for some fine music."
Jazz.Com, "Fire Down Below," May 19,2008.
"This is a cat that likes to swing and he likes to swing so
much that he has the brass to come with a set of originals
just so he can come from nowhere and leave his
fingerprints on the genre. A cat that knows how it's done
and knows his way around how to swing, he brings his
cats with him and cracks the whip, but not as a meanikin.
Sometimes you need mor than reissues to stay
interested and this is sure to get your ears perked up."
MidwestRecord.Com, May 16, 2008
"Completely original, this CD has enough music to keep
me busy re-listening to it for months. From the straight
ahead swingers "Sister Joan" and "Aaronology" to the
depth of "Lasting Love" and "Silhouette" to the highly
charged "Constant Lee" and "Fire Down Below," as well
as the other four selections, this is a musical statement
that will stand the test of time as has other great piano
trios. Buy it and listen - but prepare to give it the time it
deserves."
CD Baby, May 1, 2008
The Steve Elmer Trio / I Used To Be Anonymous
“I Used To Be Anonymous” by the Steve Elmer Trio is
well-played and well-titled. Before Elmer sent this disc for
review, he was certainly anonymous to me. I am usually
wary of albums of originals, especially by players that I
do not know. Well, here is a collection of originals that is
wonderfully ear-catching. Elmer has swing in his blood
and his compatriots are cut from the same cloth. It is
always nice to find a new artist to enjoy, and such is the
case with Steve Elmer."
Jersey Jazz Magazine
"The Steve Elmer Trio turns a number of catchy and
melodic originals that serve as platforms for amiable
swing. It’s the kind of thing you’d be delighted to hear at
your local club. Elmer’s a likeable player favoring bright
melodies but investing these with rhythmic snap and
sensibility that is nicely varied. It’s really got the feel of a
‘50s Red Garland session or something of similar
vintage. If you happen to spot this one, do give it a shot."
Cadence Magazine
"New York pianist Steve Elmer’s CD “I Used to Be
Anonymous” features the pianist performing nine original
compositions all dedicated to friends or artists who have
inspired him. The trio plays with an easy familiarity and
loose ensemble feel that compliments the compositions.
Elmer’s playing throughout is in the pocket, cleverly
harmonic, and solidly rhythmic. His solos feature nice
block-chordish moments ala Erroll Garner while at other
moments he swings in a manner reminiscent of artists
like Bill Evans."
Jazz Review
"Steve Elmer is not a well known name in jazz, at least
until recently. He is, however, a solid pianist and fine
composer. This trio swings at all tempos. Their joy is
palpable. I look forward to their next recording.
Throughout the disc Elmer remains true to his mantra
Classic Jazz: Play the original song, improvise on the
melody, harmony, and the form. Tell a story and make it
swing one way or another."
Jazz Improv Magazine
"I liked the CD as a whole more than any particular cut.
You know, usually I gotta hear one tune over and over
when I first play a record. It’s only after I have that one
song in my skin that I can get to the rest of the music; but
not with the Elmer trio. I turn it on and it’s sixty minutes of
a one song suite to me. Sometimes I play it all day long.
Don’t get me wrong: the tunes are as different and
distinct as they can be. Elmer is a composer who writes
gorgeous stuff and the trio really breaks out, but every
song is connected by Elmer’s definition of classic jazz.
Play the original song, improvise on the melody,
harmony, and the form. Tell a story and make it swing
one way or another. In a word, the cat’s a real jazz
musician."
Unlikely Stories (unlikelystories.org)
"This is the real thing, straight ahead swinging classic
jazz. There are very few players who can invent like Steve
Elmer, play long lines that make total sense, and swing
like mad. The rapport in the rhythm section is a thing of
beauty. This is jazz as it should be. Listen."
CD Baby Reviewer (cdbaby.com/cd/steveelmertrio)
"We think this one’s a quiet killer, a must have. One of the
10 best in 2006."
O’s Place Jazz Newsletter (osplacejazz.com)
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