Rite of Passage

Steve Lockwood is a classically trained jazz musician. He began playing jazz while in college, studying piano. He moved to New York in 1976, and began playing in the N.Y. loft jazz scene of the late 70's. While in New York, he worked with Saxophonist, oboist, Paul McCandless and Colin Wolcott (from Oregon). He also recorded in Europe with Alphonse Mouzon, George Lewis, (AACM), Gunter Lenz, and the Hessicher Rundfunk Jazz Ensemble. Frankfurt, Germany). He toured Europe with his own Quintet featuring Vienna Art Orchestra vocalist, Lauren Newton. He worked in theatre for over 20 years with Meredith Monk. She is one of the founders of performance art and a master of extended vocal techniques. She taught him a lot about composition and space in music as well as a lot about theatre and visual art. Her liner notes are a good intro to this music. This album features some of L.A's finest players. Vinny Golia, (sax), Billy Mintz (drums), and Putter Smith (bass) round out a powerful ensemble. He wrote and arranged all the music. He has long been interested in pieces that are strong melodically and well organized as well as fresh, exciting and spontaneous as only jazz can be. He sincerely hopes you enjoy this music.