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Michael Stephans

Michael has performed and/or recorded with a wide array of jazz artists, including Bob Brookmeyer, Bennie Maupin, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Greg Osby, Pharoah Sanders, Marc Copland, Drew Gress, Dave Stryker, Jim Ridl, Steve Varner, Zach Brock, Uri Caine, Marty Ehrlich, Charlie Byrd, Francois Moutin, Vic Juris, Tim Hagans, Clay Jenkins, Don Menza, Bob Sheppard, Theo Saunders, Chris Symer, Henry Robinett, Joe Gilman, Larry Koonse, Putter Smith, Phil Ranelin, Buddy Colette, Alan Broadbent, Bob Florence, Lynn Arriale, Bud Shank, John Patitucci, Karl Berger, and many others. He has also played with personalities as wildly diverse as The Rolling Stones, Cher, David Bowie, Shirley MacLaine, and Natalie Cole, to name a few.

He currently leads a group with Dave Liebman (and sometimes Greg Osby), Marc Copland, and Drew Gress, called Quartette Oblique, and has been a long standing member of the Bennie Maupin Ensemble. He has also has performed and recorded with a super group called The Kaleidoscope Quintet, featuring Liebman, Joe Lovano, bassist Tony Marino, and singer Judi Silvano. He is also plays occasionally in a trio led by pianist Alan Broadbent.

Michael leads three distinct but interrelated lives. As a college professor, he holds a Ph.D. in education, and two Master's degrees, in English and education respectively. He has taught at three prominent universities and is currently Faculty Emeritus at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

He has authored two books about jazz: "Experiencing Jazz: A Listener's Companion," and "Experiencing Ornette Coleman: A Listener's Companion" - Both for Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; and is currently writing a third book, this one about Bob Brookmeyer, tentatively titled "On the Way to the Sky: Remembering Bob Brookmeyer."

He has also been active as an award-winning poet and jazz journalist, often writing liner notes and promotional material for such luminaries as Bennie Maupin, Bob Brookmeyer, Darek Oles, and Bob Florence. His work has been published in many literary journals, and he has authored three books of poetry and fiction,

In addition to his performance activities, Michael was awarded composition grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Percussive Arts Society. The former afforded him the opportunity to write a large ensemble piece called "Shapes and Visions" for the vibraphonist Karl Berger, which was performed at the Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.; and the latter gave him the opportunity to compose a solo work for drum set called "Downside-Up," which has been performed frequently at regional and national competitions, recitals, and festivals.

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1
Album Review

Henry Robinett Quartet: Jazz Standards Volume 2: Then Again

Read "Jazz Standards Volume 2: Then Again" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


Guitarist Henry Robinett is a patient man. In April 2000, when he was between gigs and bands, he brought together several top players from Northern California and, in two days, recorded two albums the first of which was called Jazz Standards, Volume 1: Then (Nefertiti 2019) . Now with the release of Jazz Standards Volume 2: Then Again we have the complete output from this aggregation which, in addition to Robinett, includes Joe Gilman on piano, ...

5
Album Review

Henry Robinett Quartet: Jazz Standards, Volume 1: Then

Read "Jazz Standards, Volume 1: Then" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Back in April of 2000, guitarist Henry Robinett convened a quartet in The Hangar, a Sacramento studio where he had been working as an engineer and producer. An intentionally casual session, it was all standards all the way. Over the course of two days, tracks were called, solos and some other specifics were sorted out, and the music just flowed. When all was said and done, Robinett left and put the material on the shelf...where it sat for nearly two ...

3
Album Review

Michael Stephans / Spatial Edition: Open Spaces

Read "Open Spaces" reviewed by Chuck Koton


Michael Stephans--educator and published author of prose and poetry--also happens to be a master jazz drummer and percussionist. The Miami-born Stephans, who these days lives in the surprisingly jazz-heavy Pennsylvania Poconos, has performed with world renowned horn players like Pharoah Sanders, Dave Liebman and Bennie Maupin, as well as Grammy-winning pianist, Alan Broadbent, among others. On Open Spaces, Stephans and Spatial Edition perform a dynamic and memorable mix of mostly original music.The quartet kicks off with the title ...

320
Take Five With...

Take Five With Michael Stephans

Read "Take Five With Michael Stephans" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet Michael Stephans: Jazz drummer/poet/writer/teacher Michael Stephans has played with dozens of jazz luminaries. Currently performing in groups with Dave Liebman, Bennie Maupin, and Bob Brookmeyer, Michael has recently come home to the East Coast, after a thirty-year hiatus in Los Angeles as a studio and performing musician and teacher. His new CD, OM/ShalOM, was released in late February 2007, and he has played recently at the Blue Note and The Jazz Standard in New York City.Instrument(s): Drums.

275
Album Review

Michael Stephans: OM/ShalOM

Read "OM/ShalOM" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Some may associate a certain repetitive quality with Jewish melodies--they're either upbeat and highly rhythmic, or almost mournful pieces more suitable for listening than dancing. In some cases they're both. Drummer Michael Stephans adds to this two- dimensional notion on OM/ShalOM, his very personal and well-rounded new self-released project, what might have been a prime candidate for John Zorn's “Radical Jewish Culture series. Featuring the stellar and diversely talented Dave Liebman, Bennie Maupin and Munyungo Jackson--all Miles ...

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Recording

Recent Listening: Quartette Oblique

Recent Listening: Quartette Oblique

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey

Michael Stephans, David Liebman, Marc Copland, Drew Gress: Quartette Oblique (Sunnyside) Opening the album, Liebman launches the familiar opening phrases of “Nardis” from his tenor saxophone, toying with them, letting each note fall away. The rhythm section soon joins him. Within seconds the toying is over and the album’s muscles are rippling in a show of strength that for more than an hour does not recede, regardless of tempo. The energy is in great part due to Liebman’s intensity on ...

Recording

Whaling Ciy Sound Releases "Lineage" by Dave Liebman and Michael Stephans

Whaling Ciy Sound Releases "Lineage" by Dave Liebman and Michael Stephans

Source: Mixed Media Promotion

Since he began to seriously pursue a career as a jazz artist back in the 1960s, Dave Liebman has been on a transformative journey towards becoming a true original in the genre. After assuming sideman slots with the likes of Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, and Chick Corea, to name but a few, he has certainly earned his stripes. Those who've followed him more closely understand that he has become a deep and soulful storyteller in jazz in a way few ...

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Recording

Dave Liebman and Michael Stephans Release Duets CD "Nomads"

Dave Liebman and Michael Stephans Release Duets CD "Nomads"

Source: All About Jazz

ITM Records, a division of Jazzwerkstatt Records has just released a unique series of duets by saxophonist Dave Liebman and drummer Michael Stephans; however, rather than recording a series of saxophone-drums duets, Liebman and Stephans sought to do something very different. They each play seven instruments in addition to their main voices, including piano, pocket cornet, Tibetan singing bowls, alto-valve trombone, and voice. There are 14 duets that vary in time, from one to 14 minutes, which include compositions by ...

Primary Instrument

Drums

Location

Bethlehem

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed., B.A. Lessons by audition Rates negotiable

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Jazz Standards Volume...

Nefertiti Records
2021

buy

Jazz Standards,...

Nefertiti Records
2020

buy

Quartette Oblique

Sunnyside Records
2018

buy

Open Spaces

Lunazure Records
2012

buy

OM/ShalOM

ENDemik Records
2007

buy

Nigun #5

From: OM/ShalOM
By Michael Stephans

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