Steve Turre: The Innovator of Jazz Trombone and Shells

Steve Turre is an American jazz trombonist and seashell player renowned for his technical mastery and innovative fusion of jazz with global rhythms. Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, but forged in the vibrant New York jazz scene, his career is defined by over twenty albums as a leader and his decades-long tenure as a member of the Saturday Night Live Band.

Early career

Born in 1948, Steve Turre's musical journey began in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he was exposed to jazz by his uncle. He started on the trombone as a teenager and was soon performing with legends like Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the early 1970s, establishing his hard bop credentials. His first major recording credit came with Blakey's 1973 album "Anthenagin," solidifying his place among jazz's rising brass stars.

Breakthrough

Turre's true breakthrough as a distinctive leader came with his 1987 album "Viewpoint" on the Stash label. While not a chart-topper, this project showcased his mature voice and, crucially, his pioneering integration of conch shells as legitimate musical instruments within a jazz context. This unique artistry led to his long-term association with the Verve record label in the 1990s, where he released a series of acclaimed albums that expanded his audience.

Key tracks

Fire and Ice — This title track from his 1993 Verve album exemplifies his warm trombone tone and sophisticated post-bop compositional style.

Sanctified Shells — A pivotal track that highlights Turre's revolutionary use of multiple conch shells in a harmonized, choir-like arrangement.

One4J — A tribute to J.J. Johnson, this song from the 2001 album "TNT" displays his deep mastery of bebop trombone lineage.

Blackfoot — From the 1995 album "Rhythm Within," this composition showcases his collaborative work with his all-star shell ensemble and Latin jazz influences.

Sustained excellence and collaborations

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Turre solidified his reputation with a string of albums for Verve and Telarc, including "Lotus Flower" and "The Spirits Up Above." His collaborations read like a who's who of jazz, having recorded and performed with giants such as Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Ray Charles, and Tito Puente. Beyond performance, his role as an educator and his unwavering commitment to the trombone and shells have made him a respected elder statesman in the jazz world.

Artists with a similar dedication to instrumental virtuosity and blending jazz with other traditions include Wycliffe Gordon, a fellow trombonist celebrated for his technical prowess and deep swing. Ray Anderson shares Turre's adventurous spirit and ability to push the boundaries of the trombone's sound. The innovative use of unique instrumentation finds a parallel in the work of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, who famously played multiple wind instruments simultaneously. For Latin jazz brass excellence, listeners often enjoy Arturo Sandoval, a trumpeter who also masters a formidable range of styles.

Steve Turre's rich catalog is a staple on jazz radio stations across the dial, from public radio's jazz programs to dedicated online jazz streams. His music, both as a leader and a sideman, is frequently featured in rotations that celebrate hard bop, Latin jazz, and innovative instrumental music.

The dynamic music of Steve Turre, a cornerstone of modern jazz trombone, can be heard on the radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his groundbreaking work with shells and his robust bop lines by tuning into the jazz stations available on onairium.com.