Steve Coleman: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Antonio Hart
• Graham Haynes
• Gary Thomas
• Greg Osby
• Cassandra Wilson
• Roy Hargrove
• Anthony Braxton

• Von Freeman
• Bunky Green
• Charlie Parker
• Sam Rivers
• Henry Threadgill

• M-Base Collective

• Geri Allen
• Mark Prince

• Subzero
• Ezra Greer
• Kokayi

• M-Base Collective
• Strata Institute

• David Gilmore
• Robin Eubanks
• Marvin "Smitty" Smith
• Dave Holland
• Lonnie Plaxico
• Reggie Washington
• Andy Milne

Born:

Sep 20, 1956 in Chicago, IL

Genres:

Classical Music, Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1980's|1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

High

Cultural Impact

High

Popularity

Medium

Ratings Guide

MBase founder, composer, and alto saxophonist Steve Coleman hails from Chicago. His earliest years were spent playing in RB and funk bands in emulation of his first hero, Maceo Parker. Coleman had heard all the greats in his hometown and changed his focus from RB to jazz precipitating his move to New York. He gigged with the Thad JonesMel Lewis big band, followed by Sam Rivers' AllStar Orchestra and, eventually, Cecil Taylor's bigband project. He began working with other leaders as well: David Murray, Abbey Lincoln, Michael Brecker. But Coleman was restless; he began listening to other music, particularly that of West Africa (he later traveled to Ghana to study). His music evolved and he continued to play side gigs, honing his sound and compositions he has a totally original alto tone by playing in the street. Coleman's first band, the Five Elements, would be formed of street cats, including Graham Haynes. The band came up with the MBase concept in 1985 ("macrobasic array of spontaneous extemporization") and signed with the European JMT label. Others in the MBase crew include Gary Thomas, Geri Allen, Greg Osby, Robin Eubanks, and Cassandra Wilson. Coleman developed complex musical theories about integrating the rhythms of funk, soul, world music, and jazz. He eventually signed with BMG and started three other bands, Mystic Rhythm Society, Metrics, and Council of Balance. He was also a member of Dave Holland's quartet for a time and has continued to play and record with his three groups as well as other artists, both MBase and not. In addition to issuing over 20 records under his own name, he is a soughtafter producer. Steve Coleman is a renaissance man for the left wing of jazz.

- Thom Jurek, All Music Guide