Search - Steve Lehman :: On Meaning

"One of the most exciting saxophone voices on the current scene." -- The Wire "It is difficult to think of another musician in Lehman's age group (or a generation ahead) that is making music at this level." -- Signal To Noise "Bracing and fiercely imagined." -- New York Times Pi Recordings is pleased to announce the release of On Meaning, the highly anticipated new recording from Steve Lehman's critically acclaimed quintet. Widely regarded as one of today's bracingly original young composers, Lehman combines groove-oriented musical content with highly contrapuntal, asymmetrical, and non-repetitive structural devices. Imagining his music in this way, Lehman creates elaborate formal works that remain rooted in the physicality of live performance and the visceral nature of urban rhythm. Each of On Meaning's eight compositions addresses the challenge of creating fresh environments for modern improvisers and advances a unique and meticulously crafted vision of compositional form, harmony, rhythm, and orchestration. Throughout the disc, Lehman's cutting-edge compositional voice is brought to life by his remarkable quintet, featuring performer/improvisers who represent the absolute stateof-the-art on their respective instruments. Lehman's own performance, on alto saxophone, bristles with the unique combination of explosiveness and precision that has been his trademark since he exploded onto New York's creative music scene in 2004. Much like the abstract and darkly compelling compositions of On Meaning, Lehman's work as a saxophonist--combining a highly advanced harmonic language, microtonal playing, extended techniques, and a deeply rooted rhythmic sense--positions him, at twenty-eight, as one of the most significant voices to emerge in creative music in recent memory.