Steven Lugerner
Steven Lugerner
A multi-instrumentalist and composer, Steven Lugerner maintains musical ties between his home of San Francisco, as well as Los Angeles, Chicago & New York City. As a bandleader, Lugerner leads SLUGish Ensemble, an amoeba-like group dedicated to original compositions & arrangements, in addition to JACKNIFE, a hard-hitting post-bop quintet dedicated to the music of late alto saxophonist Jackie McLean.
Lugerner has released multiple albums to critical acclaim – JACKNIFE: The Music of Jackie McLean (2016), Gravitations Vol. 1-3 (2013-15), For We Have Heard (2013), Narratives (2010), and These Are The Words (2010).
His compositions have been described as “a textured, nearly seamless blend of composition and improvisation” by The Village Voice, while The New York Times has called him “an impeccably trained multi-reedist.”
In his short career, Lugerner has collaborated with a heavyweight roster of masters, including pianists Fred Hersch and Myra Melford; drum masters Allison Miller, Matt Wilson, John Hollenbeck and legend Albert “Tootie” Heath, saxophonists Jane Ira Bloom, Dayna Stephens, Chris Cheek, Anat Cohen and Miguel Zenon; trumpeter Ralph Alessi, flutist Jamie Baum and bassist Todd Sickafoose. In addition to his musical activities, Steven is the Faculty Director at the Stanford Jazz Workshop and Founder of Slow & Steady Records.
“Lugerner’s approach to making music is very much his own; and he seems to be pursuing it to impressive advantage.” - San Francisco Examiner
“….an ambitious composer, arranger, and conceptualist who seems to be overflowing with ideas.” - The Chicago Tribune