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Steffen Kuehn

Trumpeter/composer Steffen Kuehn has become a mainstay of the Bay Area jazz and Latin music scenes since arriving from his native Germany in 1997. He won a 2014 Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album for the self-titled debut by the 20-piece Pacific Mambo Orchestra, which he co-leads with pianist Christian Tumalan. An alternately robust and warmly lyrical soloist and an on-point horn-section player, he works regularly with bands led by Latin drummer Brian Andres and timbalero Louie Romero and with jazz drummer Tommy Igoe’s Groove Conspiracy. And he has performed and recorded as a leader, releasing three albums on his Stefrecords imprint: Now or Later (2002), with fellow trumpeter Tim Hagans; trumpop (2008); and Constantine (2011).

Kuehn considers his newest recording, Leap of Faith, “my first recording in a way, because,” he explains, “I did everything myself. On my previous recordings maybe I had a producer or I was recording somebody else’s music. I produced this record. I wrote the horn sections. I played in the horn section, and I’m also the soloist. I think the writing is my best writing so far.” The CD will be released by Stefrecords on July 29.

The cast of local luminaries assembled by Kuehn includes drummer Tommy Igoe, bassist Dewayne Pate, pianist Colin Hogan, onetime Steely Dan guitarist Drew Zingg, former Tower of Power and Yellowjackets alto saxophonist Marc Russo, and current Tower of Power tenor saxophonist Tom Politzer. Guesting on one track apiece are current Yellowjackets tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer (on the Afro-Cuban “Storm”) and Pacific Mambo Orchestra vocalist Alexa Weber Morales (the bossa nova “Serenity”). The 10-song set consists of eight original compositions and arrangements by Kuehn, Aaron Lington’s arrangement of “Helen’s Song” by pianist George Cables, and John Gove’s arrangement of “Geraldine” by Yellowjackets keyboardist Russell Ferrante.

“This is the most personal recording I’ve ever done and the closest to me so far,” says Kuehn. “It not only puts the spotlight on me as a trumpeter but also on my writing, which for me was equally important.”

Born (1965) and raised in Mannheim, Germany, Steffen Kuehn was drawn to the trumpet as a child and began lessons at age 8. Initially he was interested in hard rock and then soul music (Earth, Wind and Fire and Chaka Khan) before getting into jazz via the Yellowjackets and Pat Metheny. “I grew up listening to the Yellowjackets,” says Kuehn. “They’re one of my biggest influences.” He cites Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis as influences as well.

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9
Album Review

Pacific Mambo Orchestra: The III Side

Read "The III Side" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Pacific Mambo Orchestra—PMO, for short—has a lot to celebrate. With the calendar turning to 2020, this Grammy-winning Latin big band celebrated its 10th anniversary and the early January release of this potent third album. Inviting special guests, strings and part-time personnel to the party, PMO uses this opportunity to craft a spicy stew seasoned with Mambo, Timba, Bolero, bop, classical associations and a whole lot more. With an excess of heat and rhythmic vivacity in its soul, ...

2
Album Review

Steffen Kuehn: Leap Of Faith

Read "Leap Of Faith" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Leap Of Faith is the fourth album from Grammy-winning trumpeter Steffen Kuehn, but it's the first record to truly represent and showcase every aspect of his artistry. He produced the album, he was involved in the mixing process, he wrote eight of the ten compositions featured within, and his horn playing is central to the success of the music. This is truly Steffen Kuehn in all his glory, taking his talents to new heights and levels of visibility.

84
Album Review

The Steffen Kuehn Nonet: Now or Later

Read "Now or Later" reviewed by Jack Bowers


As I was listening to trumpeter Steffen Kuehn's new album, Now or Later, two thoughts occurred: (1) these guys can really play, and (2) why am I not enjoying it more? I think the answer to that second thought rests not so much on how Kuehn and his colleagues play as it does on what they are playing. This is what is known as post bop or contemporary, and while in this instance it is rhythmically strong, ...

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Recording

"Leap Of Faith," 4th CD By Trumpeter/Composer Steffen Kuehn, To Be Released July 29 By Stefrecords

"Leap Of Faith," 4th CD By Trumpeter/Composer Steffen Kuehn, To Be Released July 29 By Stefrecords

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Trumpeter/composer Steffen Kuehn has become a mainstay of the Bay Area jazz and Latin music scenes since arriving from his native Germany in 1997. He won a 2014 Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album for the self-titled debut by the 20-piece Pacific Mambo Orchestra, which he co-leads with pianist Christian Tumalan. An alternately robust and warmly lyrical soloist and an on-point horn-section player, he works regularly with bands led by Latin drummer Brian Andres and timbalero Louie Romero and with ...

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Trumpet

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Recuerdos de mi Madre

OpenArt Productions
2022

buy

The III Side

Pacific Mambo Records
2020

buy

Leap Of Faith

StefRecords
2016

buy

Trumpop

StefRecords
2008

buy

Now or Later

StefRecords
2005

buy

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