Steve Kuhn (b. Brooklyn, NY, March 24, 1938) is an American jazz pianist, composer and trio leader.
He began studying piano at the age of five and studied under legendary Boston piano teacher Margaret Chaloff, mother of jazz baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff, who taught him the "Russian style" of piano. At an early age he began improvising classical music. As a teenager he appeared in jazz clubs in the Boston area, gigging with the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Vic Dickerson, Chet Baker, and Serge Chaloff. He graduated from Harvard and attended the Lenox School of Music where he was associated with such other future jazz masters as Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry, with a supportive faculty that included George Russell, Gunther Schuller, and Bill Evans. This allowed Mr Kuhn to play, study, and create with some of the most forward-thinking innovators of jazz improvisation and composition, culminating with his joining trumpeter Kenny Dorham's group for an extended time.
He also has appeared most notably with artists such as Stan Getz, Art Farmer, Oliver Nelson, Gary McFarland, Ron Carter, Scott LaFaro, Harvie Swartz, vocalist Shelia Jordan, Billie Drummond, David Finck, and Miroslav Vitous. From 1967 to 1971 Kuhn moved to Stockholm, Sweden where he worked with his own trio throughout Europe. In 1971 Kuhn moved back to New York and formed a quartet but continued doing European gigs, and appearing at the Newport Jazz Festival. In his early years, Mr Kuhn was known as an 'avant-garde' pianist (but not "New Thing"). Steve Kuhn was the first pianist for the initial groundbreaking quartet formed by John Coltrane. Mr Kuhn was associated with bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Pete La Roca during the 1960's for several notable recordings: "Three Waves" under Kuhn's leadership, "Basra" under La Roca's leadership which also featured Joe Henderson, and "Sing Me Softly Of The Blues" under the leadership of flugelhornist Art Farmer. Among other notable recordings which were also critically acclaimed was "The October Suite" written by Gary McFarland for Mr Kuhn and an ensemble which included strings, woodwinds, and reeds. Yet another very notable and critically praised CD is called "Promises Kept" featuring Kuhn's compositions, piano, and strings. For decades, Mr Kuhn has led an all-star trio that has included such luminaries as bassist Ron Carter and drummer Al Foster and has had several live recordings in some of New York's top jazz clubs.
