Vinyl Vault — Steve Kuhn, “Trance”

The Vinyl Vault’s feature will be an early ECM recording by Steve Kuhn entitled “Trance.” Released in 1975, it features Kuhn on acoustic and electric piano, Steve Swallow on electric bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums and Sue Evans on percussion.

The title track is, indeed, hypnotic, but the rest of the album varies widely with Kuhn exploring many different styles. Kuhn and Swallow worked together often over the years and this album demonstrates an intricate interplay between the two. DeJohnette also plays a major role in setting a variety of tempos and moods. Through it all, Kuhn displays a continually inventive and forward-looking approach to the piano.

While this was only his second album for ECM, Kuhn was a jazz veteran by the time this one was recorded. Fifteen years earlier, he had been the pianist in Coltrane’s first quartet. Art Farmer and Stan Getz had also been collaborators. All About Jazz called “Trance” “as unpredictable as it is compelling.”

Join Geoff Anderson on Tuesday, October 17 at 8:30 pm for Steve Kuhn’s “Trance” on the Vinyl Vault, only on KUVO JAZZ.

Stay connected to KUVO’s programs and our community! Sign up for the Oasis E-News today!