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Steve Turre

One of the world's preeminent jazz innovators, trombonist and seashellist Steve Turre, has consistently won both the Readers' and Critics' polls in JazzTimes, Downbeat, and Jazziz for Best Trombone and for Best Miscellaneous Instrumentalist (shells). Turre was born to Mexican-American parents and grew up in the San Francisco Bay area where he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues and jazz. While attending Sacramento State University, he joined the Escovedo Brothers salsa band, which began his career-long involvement with that genre.

In 1972 Steve Turre's career picked up momentum when Ray Charles hired him to go on tour. A year later Turre's mentor Woody Shaw brought him into Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. After his tenure with Blakey, Turre went on to work with a diverse list of musicians from the jazz, Latin, and pop worlds, including Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Hancock, Lester Bowie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Horace Silver, Max Roach, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. The latter introduced hum to the seashell as an instrument. Soon after that, while touring in Mexico City with Woody Shaw, Turre's relatives informed him that his ancestors similarly played the shells. Since then, Turre has incorporated seashells into his diverse musical style.

In addition to performing as a member of the Saturday Night Live Band since 1984, Turre leads several different ensembles. Sanctified Shells utilizes the seashell in a larger context, transforming his horn section into a "shell choir". Turre's Spring 1999 Verve release, Lotus Flower, showcases his Sextet With Strings. The recording explores many great standards and original compositions arranged by Turre for a unique instrumentation of trombone and shells, violin, cello, piano, bass and drums. Turre's quartet and quintet provide a setting based in tradition and stretching the limits conceptually and stylistically. In the Summer of 2000, Telarc released In The Spur of the Moment. This recording features Steve with three different quartets, each with a different and distinct master pianist: Ray Charles, Chucho Valdes, and Stephen Scott.

Turre's self-titled Verve release pioneers a unique artistic vision, drawing upon jazz, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian sources. This innovative recording also features Cassandra Wilson, Randy Brecker, Graciela, Mongo Santamaria and J.J. Johnson. Previously Turre recorded Right There and Rhythm Within, featuring Herbie Hancock, Jon Faddis, Pharoah Sanders, and Sanctified Shells, on Verve's subsidiary label, Antilles.

Steve Turre continually evolves as a musician and arranger. He has a strong command of all musical genres and when it comes to his distinct brand of jazz, he always keeps one foot in the past and one in the future.

Steve Turre, Markus Howell, Neil Adler, April Varner and more

by Benjamin Boddie
July 24, 2024

Today's Music--Right Now! ... Fantastic music by Steve Turre, Markus Howell, Neil Adler, April Varner, Zaccai Curtis, Etienne Charles, Conrad Herwig, Ben Patterson, Behn Gillece, Jon Gordon, Troy Roberts, Bobby Broom, Alexander Claffy, Kerry Politzer, Clarence Penn, Eric Alexander, Charles McPherson, Bill Frisell, Isrea Butler, Dave Bass and more. Playlist Steve Turre “Mr. Kenyatta" from Sanyas (Smoke Sessions) 00:00 Markus Howell “Counterattack" from Chosen Path (Posi-Tone Records) 09:52 Neil Adler “The Peacocks" from Emi's Song (Neil Adler) 14:50 ...

Radio & Podcasts

Reflecting The Past, Embracing The Future

by Bob Osborne
July 18, 2024

Jazz has been around long enough to allow for a massive library of ground breaking legacy music to build up. Current musicians often look back at that legacy, sometimes they use it, sometimes they build upon it and add a current perspective. In this way jazz is allowed to grow and develop whilst remaining true to the work of the innovators who went before. Several of this weeks pieces very much capture the spirit of past meets present, but also ...

Radio & Podcasts

New Music from Steve Turre Sarah Hanahan Brian Landrus and More

by Hobart Taylor
June 26, 2024

On this show we explore new music from trombonist Steve Turre, rising star saxophonist Sarah Hanahan, as well vocal tunes from Lauren Henderson, Julius Rodriguez and Third Stream music from Ryan Truesdell's “Synthesis: The String Quartet Sessions." Playlist Steve Turre “These Foolish Things" from Sanyas (Smoke Sessions) 0:00 Sarah Hanahan “NATO" from Among Giants (Blue Engine) 6:25 Clarence Penn “Come Talk To Me" from Behind The Voice (Origin) 14:24 Host Speaks 20:00 Olivia Foschi “John John Joel And ...

Album Review

Samuel Blaser: Routes

by Chris May
June 22, 2023

The Jamaican trombonist Don Drummond (1934-1969), the inspiration for Routes, was in certain respects a mid-twentieth Jamaican parallel of the New Orleans cornetist Buddy Bolden (1877-1931). Bolden pioneered jazz in the US, Drummond in Jamaica. Both achieved mythic proportions during their lifetimes and both their legends endure. Both, tragically, spent their final years in what were then called insane asylums. One difference between the two musicians is that, while no recording of Bolden has survived, if indeed ...

Album Review

Steve Turre: Generations

Read "Generations" reviewed by Dave Linn

by Dave Linn
April 25, 2023

Generations is a wonderful exploration of the bop and post-bop era. Steve Turre both looks back to his roots while encouraging the next generation of musicians to find their voice. It's a position he's eminently qualified for, considering the artists he has played with and his tenure as a long-time jazz educator. Trombone players have a unique place in the sound created in a small jazz band. Their parts helped blend and define any given melody. On this ...

Album Review

Elio Villafranca: Cinque

Read "Cinque" reviewed by Maurizio Zerbo

by Maurizio Zerbo
May 21, 2019

Questo doppio CD è dedicato alla memoria di Joseph Cinque, che nel 1839 capeggiò la rivolta degli schiavi africani imbarcati sulla nave Amistad con destinazione Cuba e le sue piantagioni di zucchero. È un progetto ambizioso sulla diaspora africana in cui la narrazione vocale delle vicende storiche ben si combina ad un sontuoso apparato musicale, articolato in una suite di cinque movimenti. A fare da trait d'union, l'ancestrale retroterra ritmico della regione congolese, su cui vengono di volta in volta ...

New York @ Night

Steve Turre at SMOKE

by Peter Jurew
September 15, 2016

Steve Turre SMOKE New York, NY September 11, 2016 It's not an exaggeration to state up front that New York, jazz capital of the world, contains a virtually limitless variety of jazz music joys available to anyone on any given night, which can make choosing which gig to see, and where, no simple matter. For a few reasons, the third and final night of Steve Turre and an all-star ensemble at SMOKE ...

Performance / Tour

World-renowned Smoke Presents Leading Pianists Vijay Iyer And Eric Reed, Album Release Concert By Trombonist Steve Turre, And More During The Month Of June

Source: AMT Public Relations
May 3, 2024

Entering its second quarter century as committed as ever to pure jazz (All About Jazz),” SMOKE Jazz Club continues its 25th anniversary season with another month of today’s leading artists in jazz. June begins with a fan favorite and longtime friend of the club’s: trumpeter Nicholas Payton (May 29-June 2). Returning to SMOKE is MacArthur Genius Vijay Iyer leading his Trio for five nights (June 5-9). Master trombonist Steve Turre celebrates the SMOKE Sessions release of his exciting new album, ...
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Festival

Steve Turre To Be Artist-in-Residence At Marshall University's 48th Winter Jazz Festival!

Source: Nu Jazz Publicity
February 15, 2017

Marshall University’s Jazz Studies Program, one of the premier Jazz education centers in the U.S. announced that legendary 29-time Downbeat Critic’s & Reader’s Poll award winner, Steve Turre will be the “Artist in Residence” at the 48th Winter Jazz Festival. The festival will take place February 16th-18th, 2017 on the Marshall University Campus in Huntington, WV. The 48th Winter Jazz Festival is one of two yearly jazz events and will feature performances from tri-state area middle school and high school ...
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Performance / Tour

Cafe Stritch Presents: "A Rahsaan Roland Kirk Tribute Week”

Source: NL Cutean
July 23, 2013

San Jose, CA: Cafe Stritch, formerly Eulipia Restaurant in San Jose, continues its heritage of presenting first-rate jazz by presenting a five-day tribute to the great Rahsaan Roland Kirk. In addition to three nights of performances by trombonist Steve Turre, the week’s activities include a number of diverse activities revolving around Rahsaan’s life and work. Betty Neals will be performing her legendary “Theme for the Eulipions" poem with Steve Turre's group. Kirk’s “Theme for the Eulipions" gave Eulipia its name ...
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101

Contest

Announcing the Winners of the HighNote "Steve Turre - Delicious and Delightful" Giveaway

Source: All About Jazz
November 7, 2010

199

Interview

Trombonist Steve Turre Regales With Tales of Shells and Bones

Source: All About Jazz @ Spinner
October 15, 2010

To look at the résumé of Steve Turre is to see a list of jazz's leading figures of the past 40 years. The trombonist got his start with Rahsaan Roland Kirk in 1970. From there, he quickly moved on to a flurry of people (including Van Morrison) before landing a Ray Charles world tour in 1972. He then went on to Art Blakey, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Woody Shaw, Chico Hamilton, Cedar Walton, Elvin Jones and, eventually, the 'Saturday Night ...
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436

Contest

Enter the HighNote "Steve Turre - Delicious and Delightful" Giveaway

Source: Michael Ricci
September 28, 2010

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the HighNote “Steve Turre—Delicious and Delightful“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on October 28th.Click here to enter the contest (Following Steve Turre at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.) Good luck! Your Friends at HighNote About Steve Turre and Delicious and Delightful Few can match Steve Turre's skill as a trombonist. His technical mastery, which has seen him win five Down Beat ...
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221

Recording

Steve Turre - Delicious and Delightful (2010)

Source: Something Else!
August 19, 2010

By Mark Saleski Odd instruments in jazz: pedal steel guitar, theremin, the Samchillian (You'll have to trust me on this one. Its “formal" name is the “Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Cheeepeee." Don't believe me? Look it up), the harmonica, the human voice (if you're Shooby Taylor or Mike Patton), the saw blade. Some of these instruments are not “odd" so much as they are rare. If you look at the total number of jazz recordings out there, the percentage of ...
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142

Performance / Tour

Tribute to Ray Barretto at Creole Supper Club!

Source: All About Jazz
August 13, 2009

Creole Restaurant and Music Supper Club 2167 Third Avenue (N.E. corner 118th St.), New York, New York 10035 - (212) 876-8838   Presents : LATIN JAZZ LEGACY SERIES   AUGUST 2009 August 21st and 22nd at 8:00pm & 10:00pm  TRIBUTE TO RAY BARRETTO  Featuring the super-talented artists: Special Guest Steve Turre (trombone), Chembo Corniel (conga) Vince Cherico (drums), Boris Kozlov (bass), Peter Brainin (saxophones), John Di Martino (pianist, musical director) - Paying homage to the Grammy winning Latin jazz giant Ray Barretto - ...
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221

Interview

Trombonist Steve Turre Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
February 23, 2009

Few can match Steve Turré's skill as a trombonist. His technical mastery, which has seen him win five Down Beat polls, goes hand-in-hand with a deep respect for the music that has gone before him, and over the course of forty years he has honed his skills with some of the best. Since his formative experience as a teenager playing alongside the great saxophonist/flautist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Turré has gone on to play with many artists including Ray Charles, B.B. ...
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Performance / Tour

Steve Turre Embracing His Latin Side at Smoke NY

Source: Michael Ricci
December 20, 2008

The trombonist Steve Turre has an unforced affinity for Latin jazz and the sort of deep instinct that manifests over time.

Born into a Mexican-American family, he grew up in the San Francisco area, absorbing a wide range of sounds, including Latin music. That background has turned out to be vital in a career that has included stints with the salsa band Conjunto Libre and with the great percussionist-bandleaders Mongo Santamara and Tito Puente. But Mr. Turre, who turned 60 ...
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