2012 release from the Jazz pianist joined by bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Joey Baron. "Wisteria" takes a fresh look at several pieces last heard on record in Kuhn's orchestral Promises Kept collection - "Promises Kept" itself, "Adagio", "Morning Dew" and "Pastorale". Kuhn's compositions, few in number but robust and adaptable, have often lent themselves to quite different interpretations. If anything, these small group versions emphasize the emotional core of the material.

It's easy to love the piano of Steve Kuhn - even without the album's cover image of a model exposing herself by the side of a freeway! Kuhn's keys have a lot more class than warrants the cover - and from the very first note of the set, you'll be transported away from thinking about that image, and caught in rapt attention to Steve's warm tones on the piano.

Pianist Steve Kuhn, accompanied by David Finck and Billy Drummond, explore classical works by a number of top composers from the 19th and 20th centuries on this Japanese release, though they are used as a launching pad for improvisation.

Like many pianists, Steve Kuhn seems to put out one quality disc after another but doesn't ever seem to get the attention he deserves. This beautifully recorded studio date from 1968, with bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Jon Christensen, is a good example. Eschewing the typical easygoing approaches to Michel Legrand's "Watch What Happens," he launches into a very brisk bossa nova arrangement. J.J. Johnson's gorgeous ballad "Lament" was never in better hands as Kuhn delivers a shimmering but poignant performance; the piece segues into Gary McFarland's unjustly neglected "Once We Loved." A mini-medley of Burt Bacharach songs, "Windows of the World" and "Here I Am," with its unusual chanting introduction, has also stood the test of time. Carla Bley's "Ad Infinitum" delves briefly into the avant-garde but quickly reverts to post-bop.

Another one of Stan Getz's early 60s forays into the world of Brazilian music, recorded only days after his legendary sessions with João Gilberto. His special guest on this 1963 recording is virtuoso guitarist Laurindo Almeida who was famous for fusing jazz and classical guitar with traditional Brazilian genres. Almeida had done countless session gigs and was well-known to jazz fans for his work with Stan Kenton's big band in the late 1940s. The rhythm section on this album is a swinging blend of American sidemen, including Steve Kuhn on piano and George Duvivier on bass, and Brazilian percussionists.

One of the veteran American pianists who release new recordings from Venus Records regularly, Steve Kuhn has been admired and loved by jazz fans both in the U.S. and Japan. This trio session includes classical works and pieces adapted into pop songs decades ago. Bassist Dave Finck and Billy Drummond accompany Steve Kuhn.

One of the veteran American pianists who release new recordings from Venus Records regularly, Steve Kuhn has been admired and loved by jazz fans both in the U.S. and Japan. I Will Wait For You features recording of the music of Michel Legrand. The lyrical, romantic and memorable melodies written by the French composer — many of which have become part of the standard jazz repertoire — are brilliantly interpreted and performed by a superb trio that includes George Mraz on bass and Billy Drummond on drums. Kuhn and co. add a muscular, driving sense of swing to the faster tunes while digging deep emotionally on beautiful ballads. A wonderful piano trio release!

Vocalist Tessa Souter dazzled listeners with her excellent debut album, Night Of Key Largo, which was awarded the Swing Journal Gold Disc. With her next album, Beyond the Blue, Souter embarked on an ambitious task: writing lyrics to well-known classical compositions and performing them in a jazz setting. Being a gifted writer, Souter herself wrote the lyrics for all but three of the songs. For this release, Souter is supported by outstanding New York-based jazz musicians. She sings gracefully and intelligently, using her beautiful voice to the fullest.

Throughout a career of a half-century and counting, Steve Kuhn has earned renown as one of the most lyrical and affecting pianists in jazz, with an unfailingly beautiful touch and a sophisticated sense of swing. This piano-trio release for Japanese Venus records, features George Mraz on bass and Pete LaRoca Sims on drums.

Throughout a career of a half-century and counting, Steve Kuhn has earned renown as one of the most lyrical and affecting pianists in jazz, with an unfailingly beautiful touch and a sophisticated sense of swing. Recorded over the same three-day stretch in May 2002 as "Waltz: Blue Side", Steve Kuhn features nine standards and originals with Gary Peacock on bass and Billy Drummond on drums.

Throughout a career of a half-century and counting, Steve Kuhn has earned renown as one of the most lyrical and affecting pianists in jazz, with an unfailingly beautiful touch and a sophisticated sense of swing. Recorded over the same three-day stretch in May 2002 as "Waltz: Red Side", Steve Kuhn features nine standards and originals with Gary Peacock on bass and Billy Drummond on drums.

This unusual album teams together the altos of Lee Konitz, Pony Poindexter, Phil Woods and Leo Wright (along with pianist Steve Kuhn, bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Jon Christensen) on a variety of challenging material. There are four pieces for the full septet (including one that pays tribute to both Bach and Bird), a pair of quintet performances and a ballad medley that ends in a complete fiasco (it has to be heard to be believed). Despite the latter, everyone fares well on this summit meeting.

Venus Records is known to highlight little-known veteran American jazz musicians who play excellent music to this day and merit listening by a wider audience. Some of these musicians include Eddie Higgins, Archie Shepp, Steve Kuhn, and Claude Williamson. The newest member added to this distinguished list is Charles McPherson. Even though McPherson is an alumni of the Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop from the late 60s and early 70s, presently he may be at the top of his game. On this release for Venus Records, McPherson is paired with the first-rate pianist Steve Kuhn. McPherson impresses with his personal tone and shining, emotional playing that is deeply rooted in bebop. This is an astonishing album by an astonishing artist.