Home » Jazz Musicians » Steve Khan

Steve Khan

In a special issue of Japan's "JAZZ LIFE" magazine, they selected the 22 All-Time Greatest Jazz Guitarists. Of course, legends like Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, and Jim Hall were included alongside more recent giants George Benson, Pat Martino, Larry Coryell, and John McLaughlin. But right there amongst contemporaries John Abercrombie, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Mike Stern and Bill Frisell was Steve Khan! Testament to a large body of work which now spans more than 30 years. Hard to believe this dream began at a rather late age with Wes Montgomery held as the model to which to aspire. Steve admits that, when he was a teenager, "I was a terrible drummer with no musical training. I had developed a love for the guitar, and when I was 19 I switched instruments. I decided that I would not make the same mistakes I had made with the drums and studied hard in college along with private lessons from Ron Anthony." During these years, Khan always found himself in fast company and, from such situations he learned, developed and survived. By the time he graduated from U.C.L.A., in 1969, he felt ready to make the move to New York City.

From this point forward, so much of Steve's career is well documented. In 1974, he performed in one of the first contemporary jazz guitar duos with Larry Coryell. During this same period, he became a key member of the Brecker Bros. Band. His first recordings as a leader were a trio of well-received albums for Columbia Records titled: "TIGHTROPE"('77), "THE BLUE MAN"('78), and, "ARROWS"('79). These recordings featured Michael and Randy Brecker, David Sanborn, Don Grolnick, Will Lee, Steve Gadd, Mike Mainieri and others. In 1994, Sony Music/Columbia released a CD compilation drawn from these three LPs titled, "THE COLLECTION."

In 1980, Steve recorded a brilliant solo acoustic guitar album, "EVIDENCE," which paid tribute to his earliest jazz inspirations and served to establish him as one of the great interpreters of the music of Thelonious Monk. Between 1981 and 1985, he worked and recorded steadily with his quartet, Eyewitness, which included Anthony Jackson, Manolo Badrena, and Steve Jordan. Together they made three recordings: "EYEWITNESS"('81), "MODERN TIMES"/"BLADES"('82), and "CASA LOCO"('83). During 1984, Steve joined with Steely Dan's Donald Fagen to interpret Thelonious Monk's "Reflections" for the "THAT'S THE WAY I FEEL NOW" recording which was a tribute to Monk and his compositions. When the group needed a break, Khan joined Joe Zawinul's WEATHER UPDATE for it's one and only tour in '86. This was followed by an innovative duet recording with keyboardist Rob Mounsey. The Grammy-nominated CD was titled "LOCAL COLOR" and was released in '87. In 1989, EYEWITNESS was resurrected with Dave Weckl replacing Steve Jordan for the "PUBLIC ACCESS" ('90) CD. Since that time, Steve has added two groundbreaking straight- ahead jazz recordings featuring Ron Carter and Al Foster. "LET'S CALL THIS" and "HEADLINE" were released in '91 and '92 respectively. In '94, Steve found himself back in the company of Anthony Jackson and Manolo Badrena, adding Dennis Chambers and Michael Brecker for "CROSSINGS," which is dedicated to the memory of Steve's late father, lyricist Sammy Cahn.

Read more

Tags

2
Radio & Podcasts

Jazz with Esbjorn Svensson, Damian Erskine, John Scofield and Steve Khan

Read "Jazz with Esbjorn Svensson, Damian Erskine, John Scofield and Steve Khan" reviewed by Len Davis


A jazzy start to the program this week with music from the late Esbjorn Svensson, Damian Erskine, the late Michael Brecker, John Scofield, Yellowjackets and Steve Khan. Playlist Esbjorn Svensson “Dodge The Dodo" from Esbjorn Svensson Trio (ACT Music) 00:00 Damian Erskine “Within Sight" from Within Sight (Nontek) 09:51 Michael Brecker “Night Jessamine" from Wide Angles (Verve) 19:42 John Scofield “Wabash 3" from Time On My Hands (Blue Note) 29:34 Yellowjackets “Sea Folk" from Twenty Five (Heads Up) ...

3
Liner Notes

Steve Khan: Arrows

Read "Steve Khan: Arrows" reviewed by AAJ Staff


By Steve Khan With The Blue Man not selling as well as Tightrope, Dr. George Butler requested that I have a co-producer for the next CD. I was lucky to be able to land the engineering / production talents of my old and dear friend, Elliot Scheiner. Elliot and I had recorded together on countless sessions, but perhaps most people link us together because it was Elliot who recommended me to Donald Fagen and Walter Becker for AJA, which, of ...

2
Liner Notes

Steve Khan: Patchwork

Read "Steve Khan: Patchwork" reviewed by Rafael Vega Curry


Few artists have been as successful as Steve Khan in achieving a genuine blend of jazz and Latin sensibilities, rhythms and sonorities. In fact, it can be suggested that no one else has done what he has accomplished for the jazz guitar, offering both the extensions of what Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and Grant Green did in their day, plus the real sabor latino. Khan, of course, is one of the preeminent guitarists of the last few decades, ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

John McLaughlin Live from 1990, Steve Khan Live in Koln and David Binney

Read "John McLaughlin Live from 1990, Steve Khan Live in Koln and David Binney" reviewed by Len Davis


Dennis Chambers from Groove and More, John McLaughlin from Live at Royal festival Hall, Steve Khan from The Suitcase Live in Koln, Plus ARC Trio, Sixun and Scott Kinsey. Playlist Dennis Chambers “Virtual Life" from Groove and More (Soul Trade) 00:00 John McLaughlin “Florianapolis" from Live at Royal Festival Hall 1990 (JMT) 07:50 David Binney “Massive Humanity" from Anacapa (Criss Cross) 15:41 Steve Khan “Uncle Roy" from The Suitcase (Tone Centre) 23:34 ARC Trio “Joan Miro" from ARC ...

10
Album Review

Marilyn Scott: The Landscape

Read "The Landscape" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Some artists feel obligated to put out a new record every one-point-three years, or whatever their factory warranty calls for (mileage may vary). Others are more interested in quality than quantity. On her first record since Standard Blue (Prana, 2017), jazz vocalist Marilyn Scott has something to say about The Landscape. More than the title track, Scott's concerns with our landscape is the scope and focus of seven original compositions, all co-written with pianists Russ Ferrante or Scott Kinsey. Scott ...

12
Album Review

ARC Trio and the John Daversa Big Band: ARCeology: The Music of MSM Schmidt

Read "ARCeology: The Music of MSM Schmidt" reviewed by Jim Worsley


What would happen if fusion, already a hybrid of musical genres, was compounded with the sound of big-band? Further, that both genres were stretched well outside the box? An ensemble of bright musical minds came together on just such a project. The results could have been the disastrous soup of too many cooks in the kitchen or, perhaps, something special and creative. Fortunately, they served up an entree which is very much the latter. It starts with quality ...

4
Radio & Podcasts

Gergo Borlai, Simon Phillips, Steve Khan, Vital Information, Scott Jones

Read "Gergo Borlai, Simon Phillips, Steve Khan, Vital Information, Scott Jones" reviewed by Len Davis


Hungarian drummer Gergo Borlai, Simon Phillips Protocol V, Steve Khan, Vital Information and Scott Jones plus Petite Blonde Live in Germany featuring Bill Evans -Saxophone and Dennis Chambers. Playlist Gergo Borlai “Keith" from The Missing Song (Blue Canoe) 00:00 Simon Phillips “When The Cats Away" from Protocol V (Phantom) 06:59 Steve Khan"Dr Slump" from Eyewitness (Antilles) 13:47 Vital Information “Come On In" from Come On In (Tone Centre) 20:46 Gerald Gradwohl “Positive Grid" from Episode 6 (Self Produced ...

Read more articles
1

Recording

Guitarist Steve Khan Returns With "Subtext" (Tone Center) - June 24 Release

Guitarist Steve Khan Returns With "Subtext"  (Tone Center) - June 24 Release

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations

With Subtext, the unique trajectory of Steve Khan’s musical story expands and evolves, while re-asserting its linkage to the broad sweep of a fascinating discography, one off to the side of conventional. In short, Khan’s body of recorded work affirms that common ideal and true ambition defining jazz artistry: to create a personal, identifiable voice.Ever the artist-deserving-wider-recognition, Khan has mastered a signature sound of his own devising, involving the inspired blending of touch—by turns feathery and pointed—angular yet emotive phrasing, ...

300

Recording

Steve Khan's "Parting Shot (Golpe de Partida)" Released April 26 (Tone Center)

Steve Khan's "Parting Shot (Golpe de Partida)" Released April 26 (Tone Center)

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations

STEVE KHAN—PARTING SHOT (GOLPE DE PARTIDA) For guitarist Steve Khan, “PARTING SHOT" (Golpe de Partida) marks his fourth release for Tone Center Records. It follows “THE GREEN FIELD"; the Grammy nominated, “BORROWED TIME"; and the spectacular double-live recording, “THE SUITCASE." It marks the first time since 1994 and “CROSSINGS" that Steve reunites Eyewitness: Anthony Jackson (contrabass guitar); Dennis Chambers (drums); and Manolo Badrena (percussion)—but this time, there is something different, very different. They now combine the looseness of their improvisations, ...

213

Education

A Destination, Never an Arrival: Essay by Steve Khan

A Destination, Never an Arrival: Essay by Steve Khan

Source: All About Jazz

A few days ago, I had just finished saying “Adios!" to my houseguests, who came to visit for a night in New York. During their time here, we had a wonderful and long conversation that embraced so many areas of life. As we three are all musicians, of course, the conversation, at some point, turned to musical issues. But more than that, we spoke of the philosophical notions related to having and maintaining a creative life in the arts.

I ...

172

Dave Clark
guitar
Thomas J Wassell
guitar, electric
Nastazio Gkoumas
guitar, electric

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

ARCeology: The Music...

Blue Canoe Records
2022

buy

Dice Que Vive (Signs...

Blue Canoe Records
2022

buy

The Landscape

Blue Canoe Records
2022

buy

Patchwork

Tone Center
2019

buy

Public Access /...

BGO Records
2018

buy

Against The Grain

Sony Records Int'l
2017

buy

Unzip

From: The Landscape
By Steve Khan

Red and Gold

From: ARCeology: The Music of MSM...
By Steve Khan

Ondé

From: Dice Que Vive (Signs Of Life)
By Steve Khan

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.