Artist
Steve Coleman
Stephen Coleman (Chicago, September 20, 1956) is an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer.
Steve Coleman grew up on the South Side of Chicago in an African-American living environment where music played an important everyday role. He first sang occasionally in church and in the minor bands of that time, which imitated The Jackson 5. He started playing alto saxophone at the age of 14. At ages 17/18, his involvement with music became very intense. His attempts to learn improvisation led him to the music of Charlie Parker, which his father constantly listened to and which became of considerable significance for his further development. Furthermore, during this period he was influenced by the music of Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and others. Among the musicians with whom he had personal contact, the following particularly influenced him in the early period: Von Freeman, regarding improvisation, Sam Rivers regarding composition and Doug Hammond regarding conceptual understanding. West African music also became of considerable significance to him at an early stage.
At the end of the 1970s, Coleman moved to New York. He was soon contracted by several well-known bandmembers, such as Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Sam Rivers, Cecil Taylor, David Murray, Doug Hammond and Dave Holland.
Steve Coleman grew up on the South Side of Chicago in an African-American living environment where music played an important everyday role. He first sang occasionally in church and in the minor bands of that time, which imitated The Jackson 5. He started playing alto saxophone at the age of 14. At ages 17/18, his involvement with music became very intense. His attempts to learn improvisation led him to the music of Charlie Parker, which his father constantly listened to and which became of considerable significance for his further development. Furthermore, during this period he was influenced by the music of Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and others. Among the musicians with whom he had personal contact, the following particularly influenced him in the early period: Von Freeman, regarding improvisation, Sam Rivers regarding composition and Doug Hammond regarding conceptual understanding. West African music also became of considerable significance to him at an early stage.
At the end of the 1970s, Coleman moved to New York. He was soon contracted by several well-known bandmembers, such as Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Sam Rivers, Cecil Taylor, David Murray, Doug Hammond and Dave Holland.
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