Steven Lugerner

“The seven pieces on These Are the Words are based on verses from the Torah and draw their “intervallic relationships … time signatures, and tempo markings,” as well as their melodies, harmonies, and improvisational gambits, from his application of an ancient practice known as Gematria, “a method favored by medieval Kabbalists” involving assigning numerical values to Hebrew letters. I hope being told this doesn’t give the impression that Lugerner’s music is arcane and emotionally impenetrable, because nothing could be further from the truth… What counts is how the results fall on the ear, and in Lugerner’s case, this means a textured, nearly seamless blend of composition and improvisation of the sort that die-hard jazzists might complain is really modern chamber music… Lugerner here and elsewhere achieves orchestral color by assigning his horn and Johnston’s a role usually given to bass, and along with the free rein he allows his fellow improvisers (the wonderful Melford, in particular), pieces that might have sounded rigid and schematic come across as spontaneous and engaging.” -Francis Davis (The Village Voice) on These Are The Words

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“The seven pieces on These Are the Words are based on verses from the Torah and draw their “intervallic relationships … time signatures, and tempo markings,” as well as their melodies, harmonies, and improvisational gambits, from his application of an ancient practice known as Gematria, “a method favored by medieval Kabbalists” involving assigning numerical values to Hebrew letters. I hope being told this doesn’t give the impression that Lugerner’s music is arcane and emotionally impenetrable, because nothing could be further from the truth… What counts is how the results fall on the ear, and in Lugerner’s case, this means a textured, nearly seamless blend of composition and improvisation of the sort that die-hard jazzists might complain is really modern chamber music… Lugerner here and elsewhere achieves orchestral color by assigning his horn and Johnston’s a role usually given to bass, and along with the free rein he allows his fellow improvisers (the wonderful Melford, in particular), pieces that might have sounded rigid and schematic come across as spontaneous and engaging.” -Francis Davis (The Village Voice) on These Are The Words

“Multi-Reedist Steven Lugerner leads his septet featured on one half of his recent double-CD release (the half titled Narratives, to be exact), showing off his songful, cinematic midsize-ensemble works.” - Time Out New York on Narratives

 “Two discs, two different bands playing two different sets of compositions, and hardly a note is wasted. It’s a sickening display of overachievement, bolstered by the assistance of pianist Myra Melford, guitarist Angelo Spangolo, trumpeter Darren Johnston, drummers Michael Davis and Matt Wilson… and the list goes on. Musically, it can be too elegiac and impressionistic to be considered jazz. But other times it feels too free and dissonant to be considered classical or chamber. Like all great music, it’s the kind that unintentionally blurs genres.” - John Garratt (PopMatters.com) on Narratives & These Are The Words

“This (These Are The Words) is an impressive undertaking. Throughout the program, Lugerner’s music illustrates the complex object that is man and his burgeoning and sometimes difficult relationship to and with the Lord.  One hears echoes of Aaron Copland, Igor Stravinsky and Leonard Bernstein as well as Marty Ehrlich and Fred Hersch - there are moments of noise, of chaos, but also times of sheer beauty.  On repeated listenings, one hears in better detail the interplay of the 4 musicians; the shapes within the music soon make more sense and one realizes that this is a meditation of the themes of belief, creativity, devotion and commitment.” - Richard B. Kamins (Step Tempest) on These Are The Words

“Like the first CD in the package, “Narratives” offers much to the discerning listener, especially if one is patient.  Don’t look for obvious influences; instead, listen for the interplay, for the original melodies, impressive arrangements, and the honest attempt to embrace many styles without settling on one.  I imagine these works open up a bit more in concert yet do not seem underdone on record.” - Richard B. Kamins (Step Tempest) on Narratives

“Steven Lugerner is a prototype of the young 21st century jazz musician. Equally gifted as performer, composer and interpreter, he is sure to make a mark on the jazz scene in the years ahead." - Fred Hersch (Grammy Nominated Pianist)

“Steven Lugerner is the real article. A polished and sophisticated young composer-arranger, he is also a fine alto and soprano saxophonist. He’s assembled a terrific septet of kindred improvisers who play his modal-modern works with devotion and finesse” - Kirk Nurock (Composer, Pianist, Conductor and Educator)

 “Steven Lugerner writes and plays with maturity, creativity and taste well beyond his years with plenty of fire and chops to support his ideas.” - Jamie Baum (Composer/Flutist) 

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