Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Steve Turre

Steve Turre (born September 12, 1948) is an American jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator renowned for his virtuosic command of the trombone and his pioneering incorporation of seashells as melodic instruments in jazz and Latin music contexts.^[1] Raised by Mexican-American parents in the San Francisco Bay Area, Turre drew early influences from mariachi, blues, and jazz, blending these roots into a distinctive style that bridges hard bop, post-bop, and Afro-Cuban traditions.^[2] His career spans over five decades, marked by collaborations with jazz luminaries and innovative ensembles like the Sanctified Shells, a choir of musicians playing tuned conch shells.^[3] Turre's musical journey began in childhood, inspired by his parents' love for big band jazz; they took him and his brothers—both professional musicians—to concerts featuring Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Stan Kenton.^[3] He picked up the trombone in eighth grade, drawn to its visual appeal in a marching band photo, and quickly developed proficiency, later attending Sacramento State University where he played in the Escovedo Brothers' salsa band.^[4] His professional breakthrough came in 1972 when he joined Ray Charles' touring band at age 23, followed in 1973 by an invitation from Woody Shaw to Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, exposing him to the heart of modern jazz.^[2] Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Turre built an extensive resume through sideman work with icons including Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Max Roach, Pharoah Sanders, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, who introduced him to seashell playing while touring together in 1970.^[4] This encounter sparked Turre's lifelong innovation, rooted in ancestral practices from Mexico City where shells were used in rituals; he now leads the Sanctified Shells ensemble, performing on customized conches that produce harmonic tones akin to horns or flutes.^[3] Since 1984, he has been a core member of the Saturday Night Live band, providing stability amid his freelance touring.^[2] As a leader, Turre debuted with the album Viewpoints in 1987 and has released over 20 recordings, including Sanctified Shells (1992), which showcased his shell choir; Rhythm Within (1995) with Herbie Hancock and Pharoah Sanders; Lotus Flower (1999) featuring his Sextet with Strings; and recent works like Generations (2022) and Sanyas (2024), the latter exploring spiritual themes through shells and trombone.^[1] His contributions have earned consistent acclaim, winning DownBeat, JazzTimes, and Jazziz polls for best trombonist and miscellaneous instrumentalist (for shells) across decades.^[2] Turre also educates the next generation, having taught at the Manhattan School of Music for 20 years and now at Juilliard, where he instructs on jazz trombone and ensembles.^[3]

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Musical Beginnings

Steve Turre was born on September 12, 1948, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Mexican-American parents James and Carmen Turre.^[5]^[3] His parents, avid jazz enthusiasts, met at a dance featuring Count Basie's orchestra while living in Nebraska, fostering an early family environment rich in musical appreciation.^[3]^[5] Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Lafayette, California, where Turre was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, immersing him in a vibrant cultural mosaic.^[5]^[2] Growing up, Turre's early exposure to music stemmed from his heritage and family traditions, including mariachi styles from his father's Mexican roots, alongside blues and jazz influenced by his parents' social activities and record collections.^[2]^[3] The Bay Area's diverse scene further shaped his formative years, with local sounds blending Latin rhythms, African American blues, and emerging jazz elements that resonated through family gatherings and community events.^[6] This musical proclivity in the household, combined with the region's lively jazz undercurrents, sparked Turre's innate interest in performance from a young age.^[3] At age 10, during fourth grade, Turre began playing the trombone in his school band, initially drawn to the instrument's slide mechanism at his father's encouragement and experimenting with basic techniques on his own before receiving structured guidance.^[7]^[8] This choice marked the start of his dedicated pursuit, inspired by the energetic local jazz ensembles and the familial legacy of music as a communal and expressive force.^[9]^[5]

Formal Studies and Early Influences

Turre began his formal music studies at California State University, Sacramento, where he enrolled initially on a football scholarship but soon shifted focus to music theory, spending two years immersed in the curriculum and joining the Escovedo Brothers salsa band, which ignited his enduring interest in Latin rhythms.^[2]^[10] In 1968, he transferred to the University of North Texas College of Music, participating in its renowned jazz program for a year and playing in a student band led by trumpeter Hannibal Peterson, gaining early exposure to advanced jazz ensemble techniques. After these experiences, Turre completed his bachelor's degree in music through the University Without Walls program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1980, balancing academic requirements with professional engagements such as performing with pianist Cedar Walton's quintet.^[11] A defining early influence came from multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, with whom Turre first performed in 1968 during gigs in San Francisco; Kirk's innovative spirit profoundly shaped Turre's approach to improvisation and instrumentation.^[12] That same year, while playing alongside Kirk at the Jazz Workshop, Turre encountered the seashell as a musical instrument when Kirk demonstrated its resonant tones, sparking an initial curiosity that would later evolve into a signature element of his artistry.^[12]^[11] Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Turre absorbed a rich tapestry of influences from the local scene, blending Latin elements like mariachi and salsa with blues phrasing and jazz improvisation, which informed his versatile stylistic foundation from an early age.^[2]^[10]

Professional Career

Breakthrough Performances and Early Gigs

Turre's entry into professional music began in the late 1960s when, while attending Sacramento State University, he joined the Escovedo Brothers' salsa band, marking his initial foray into Latin jazz rhythms.^[2] This opportunity honed his skills in Afro-Cuban styles and laid the groundwork for his versatile career. In 1972, Turre's profile rose further when Ray Charles hired him for an extensive tour, providing rigorous on-the-road experience in soul-jazz arrangements and big band dynamics.^[13] This stint not only solidified his reputation as a reliable trombonist but also connected him to broader musical networks. The same year, he recorded trombone parts for Santana's Caravanserai, blending Latin percussion with psychedelic rock elements in a pioneering fusion effort.^[5] Relocating to New York City in 1973, Turre dove deeper into the jazz ecosystem, working with Mongo Santamaria's band and expanding his Latin jazz explorations through high-energy conga-driven ensembles.^[14] Soon after, he debuted as a featured soloist with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, delivering bold improvisations in a premier big band setting that emphasized swinging precision and modern orchestration.^[15] These early New York engagements showcased Turre's adaptability across fusion, Latin, and straight-ahead jazz contexts.^[12]

Key Collaborations and Ensembles

Steve Turre joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1973 on the recommendation of his mentor Woody Shaw, marking a pivotal entry into the band's hard bop lineage during a period when Shaw served as a key trumpeter in the ensemble.^[2]^[3] This collaboration exposed Turre to Blakey's rigorous leadership and the group's emphasis on collective improvisation, contributing to live performances and recordings that captured the Messengers' dynamic energy in the mid-1970s.^[16] Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Turre maintained significant associations with pianists McCoy Tyner and trumpeter Lester Bowie, expanding his stylistic range across post-bop and avant-garde jazz. With Tyner, he participated in an early 1980s big band that blended modal harmonies with expansive arrangements, featuring alongside saxophonist Joe Henderson and drummer Pheeroan akLaff to explore Tyner's signature quartal voicings in a larger ensemble format.^[17] His work with Bowie, particularly in the Brass Fantasy during the 1980s, involved bold reinterpretations of pop and funk material through brass-heavy instrumentation, as heard on albums like Serious Fun (1989), where Turre's trombone provided contrapuntal depth to Bowie's satirical yet soulful compositions.^[18]^[19] Since 1984, Turre has been a core member of the Saturday Night Live Band, providing trombone support for live television broadcasts and enhancing the ensemble's versatility across musical genres, which has offered consistent exposure to a broad audience while allowing him to balance jazz pursuits.^[2] His broader collaborations in the 1980s and beyond extended to luminaries like trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, pianist Herbie Hancock, percussionist Tito Puente, and vocalist Van Morrison, bridging jazz with Latin and pop elements; for instance, Turre contributed to Gillespie's bebop-infused sessions, Hancock's fusion explorations on Right There (1991), Puente's rhythmic mambo innovations, and Morrison's soulful blends, demonstrating his adaptability as a sideman.^[2]^[20] As a prolific session musician, Turre has lent his trombone to various film and television soundtracks, including contributions to the Jazz in Film anthology (1996), where he performed on tracks like "Man with the Golden Arm," underscoring his role in integrating jazz phrasing into cinematic scores.^[21] This work complemented his television commitments and pop recordings from the late 1970s and early 1980s, solidifying his reputation for seamless genre crossover in studio environments.^[22]

Innovations in Seashell Playing

Steve Turre's development of seashell playing as a serious musical pursuit began in the early 1970s, following an initial introduction to the instrument by Rahsaan Roland Kirk during a performance. Building on this inspiration, Turre expanded his exploration while touring Mexico City with Woody Shaw's band in 1972, where relatives revealed that his Mexican ancestors had long used conch shells in ceremonial and communicative roles, much like the Aztecs employed them to mark time, announce events, call to battle, and honor deities. This discovery in the 1970s deepened Turre's commitment, transforming the shells from a novelty into a culturally resonant extension of his trombone work, rooted in ancestral traditions across global cultures including those in India, Tibet, Japan, and the Caribbean.^[13]^[23] Turre amassed a personal collection of conch shells sourced from around the world, selecting specimens of varying sizes to produce distinct pitches—larger shells yielding lower tones and smaller ones higher notes—and modifying them by cutting the tip, removing the internal core, and smoothing the edge with acrylic and sandpaper to accommodate a brass mouthpiece. This curation enabled the creation of a harmonic "shell choir," where multiple shells could blend in layered harmonies, often featuring up to 25 instruments in performances to achieve choral depth akin to a brass section. His technique mirrors brass playing fundamentals, relying on precise embouchure for lip vibration to generate sound through the shell's natural aperture, while demanding enhanced breath control and endurance due to the instrument's resistance and air volume requirements.^[3]^[24]^[25] In the 1980s, Turre formed the Sanctified Shells ensemble, a dedicated group that elevated conch shells to a central role in ensemble settings, culminating in the 1993 debut album Sanctified Shells on Antilles, which showcased their warm, lyrical potential through original compositions. This project integrated shells into jazz frameworks alongside Latin and world music elements, such as Afro-Cuban rhythms and tributes to figures like Machito, allowing for innovative textures where shells provided ethereal, multiphonic overtones—unique harmonic clusters emerging from the shell's acoustics and breath modulation—that complemented trombone lines and percussion. Turre's approach not only preserved ancient practices but pioneered their adaptation for modern improvisation, fostering a signature sound that bridges cultural histories with contemporary expression.^[11]^[3]^[23]

Teaching and Legacy

Academic Roles and Mentorship

Steve Turre has been a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music since 1988, where he teaches jazz trombone and directs jazz ensembles, drawing on his extensive professional experience to guide students in performance and improvisation.^[13] In 2008, he joined the faculty of the Juilliard School, specializing in jazz studies, after an initial appointment there from 2001 to 2003; his teaching at Juilliard emphasizes ensemble leadership and the integration of diverse musical traditions into contemporary jazz practice and has continued as of 2025, with a recent appointment announced in spring 2024.^[3] Through his academic positions, Turre has mentored numerous emerging musicians, including his daughter Andromeda Turre, a jazz vocalist and composer whose work reflects the familial immersion in jazz artistry. He particularly focuses on passing down specialized techniques, such as playing seashells as instruments, to students, helping them develop innovative approaches to sound production and expression rooted in global musical heritages.^[24] Turre conducts workshops and masterclasses on jazz improvisation, often highlighting multicultural approaches that blend Latin and African rhythmic and melodic elements, encouraging students to explore the cultural contexts behind jazz history for deeper artistic authenticity.^[8] His pedagogy stresses the emotional and historical essence of the music, fostering endurance and creativity in brass playing while incorporating unconventional instruments like seashells to expand improvisational possibilities.^[24]

Impact on Jazz Education

Steve Turre has profoundly influenced jazz pedagogy by emphasizing the spiritual and experiential dimensions of music-making in his teaching. In interviews, he articulates a philosophy that prioritizes the emotional and historical essence of jazz over rote technical skills, urging students to connect deeply with the music's roots to avoid superficial performance.^[11] He stresses that "without spirit, music is just notes," advocating for a holistic approach where practitioners search inwardly for authentic expression while grounding their work in jazz's evolutionary lineage.^[26] This perspective, drawn from his collaborations with masters like Art Blakey and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, encourages budding musicians to balance rigorous practice with real-world immersion, fostering not only proficiency but also a profound personal bond with the art form.^[8] Turre's innovations have reshaped jazz curricula by integrating global elements, particularly through his pioneering use of seashells as instruments, which he teaches as a means to expand tonal palettes and rhythmic sensibilities. At institutions like the Manhattan School of Music, he trains students and brass ensembles in shell-playing techniques, transforming traditional horn sections into versatile "shell choirs" that blend African, Latin, and indigenous influences with jazz improvisation.^[13] This approach preserves the instrument's ancient, cross-cultural significance while innovating within jazz frameworks, as evidenced by his ensemble Sanctified Shells, which serves as a pedagogical model for incorporating non-Western sounds into contemporary education.^[11] By doing so, Turre bridges historical preservation—such as maintaining the trombone's idiomatic phrasing—with forward-thinking experimentation, enabling students to explore music's universal vibrations beyond conventional boundaries.^[3] Drawing from his Mexican-American heritage, Turre advocates for greater diversity in jazz education, challenging institutional biases that marginalize the genre as secondary to classical traditions. He promotes the inclusion of multicultural rhythms, such as those from mariachi and Afro-Cuban sources he encountered early in his career, to reflect jazz's inherently inclusive evolution and counteract Eurocentric curricula.^[11] This advocacy underscores jazz as "America's classical music," urging educators to incorporate diverse voices and experiences to nurture a more representative next generation.^[11] His efforts highlight the need for rhythmic foundations rooted in African and Latin diasporas, often recommending residencies by master drummers to address common deficiencies in student training.^[11] Turre's mentorship has yielded notable success stories among protégés, including family members who have entered the profession professionally, while upholding trombone traditions amid innovation. His daughter, vocalist Andromeda Turre, credits her father's guidance for her development, having honed her skills under his tutelage alongside influences like Dizzy Gillespie and Wynton Marsalis, leading to her own acclaimed career as a jazz artist and educator.^[27] Beyond family, Turre has championed emerging trombonists such as Jamal Haynes and Ron Westray, promoting their work through recordings and ensembles to ensure the instrument's legacy endures through fresh interpretations.^[11] These efforts exemplify his commitment to passing the "jazz torch," blending reverence for historical techniques with creative expansions like shell integration to inspire sustainable growth in the field.^[28]

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Steve Turre has been married three times. His first marriage was to Susan J. Beard on November 11, 1970, in Dallas County, Texas.^[29] Turre's second marriage was to cellist, composer, and educator Akua Dixon in 1978.^[3] With Dixon, he had two children: daughter Andromeda Turre, a jazz vocalist and composer who has performed internationally and released original works blending jazz traditions with contemporary narratives, and son Orion Turre, a jazz drummer, composer, and educator who has toured Europe and the Caribbean while teaching at institutions like Carnegie Hall.^[30]^[31] In 2017, Turre married Pamela Taylor in September.^[32] The Turre family shares a profound connection to music, with Dixon's career spanning collaborations with icons like Duke Ellington and Aretha Franklin, and both children actively pursuing jazz professions that echo their parents' legacies.^[31] This familial immersion has shaped Turre's creative environment, influencing his compositions through tributes to musical elders and intergenerational themes, as seen in works like those on his album Generations.^[3]^[33]

Later Years and Residences

Since the 1980s, Steve Turre has made his home in Montclair, New Jersey, where he has become an integral part of the local jazz scene.^[34] This residence has allowed him to maintain close ties to New York City's vibrant music community while enjoying the supportive environment of Montclair, which hosts numerous jazz events and organizations.^[35] Turre remains highly active in his later career, continuing his longstanding role as a trombonist in the Saturday Night Live Band, which he joined in 1984 and has held through the 2020s.^[2] He sustains a rigorous schedule of live performances, including appearances at the Montclair Jazz Festival in 2024 with his sextet and international gigs such as a 2023 concert in San Javier, Spain.^[36]^[37] Additionally, Turre engages in community initiatives, serving as a mentor to young musicians through Jazz House Kids in Montclair, where he contributes to educational programs and performances that foster the next generation of jazz talent.^[38] In adapting to contemporary music distribution, Turre's recent projects, such as the 2024 live album Sanyas and the 2022 release Generations, are readily available on digital streaming platforms like Spotify, enabling broader global access to his work.^[39]^[40] This shift complements his traditional live engagements, ensuring his innovative blend of jazz, Latin, and shells continues to reach diverse audiences in the digital age.^[41]

Awards and Recognition

Critical Acclaim and Polls

Steve Turre has garnered consistent acclaim in prominent jazz polls, particularly for his trombone prowess and pioneering seashell performances. He secured five wins in the DownBeat Readers' Poll for Best Trombonist, reflecting his enduring popularity among jazz enthusiasts.^[18] Turre has also achieved multiple victories in the JazzTimes and Jazziz Readers' and Critics' Polls, earning top honors for Best Trombone as well as Best Miscellaneous Instrument for his distinctive seashell playing.^[6] For instance, in the 2011 JazzTimes Critics' Poll, he ranked highly among trombonists across numerous individual ballots, underscoring his critical respect.^[42] These recognitions highlight his technical command and innovative approach, with shells often celebrated as a unique extension of his instrumental palette. In more recent polls, Turre has received recognition from the Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) Jazz Awards, including a win as Trombonist of the Year in 2023 and again in 2025.^[43]^[44] Critics have long praised Turre's versatility across jazz subgenres, from hard bop to Latin influences, in reviews dating back to the 1980s. His adaptability shines in collaborations that span traditional and experimental contexts, earning him a reputation as a multifaceted innovator. On his trombone technique, reviewers have noted his exceptional control and expressiveness; as Ian Patterson observed in All About Jazz, "Few can match Steve Turre's skill as a trombonist. His technical mastery... goes hand-in-hand with a warm, lyrical tone and an unerring sense of swing."^[18] Similarly, Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune lauded his precision, writing that Turre "brought so much tonal weight and polish to each passing pitch that he rarely seemed to be playing fast," emphasizing the clarity of his articulation and ripeness of tone.^[45]

Major Honors and Recent Awards

In recognition of his pioneering work as a trombonist and seashell player, Steve Turre received a performance grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), supporting his innovative musical explorations.^[46] He was also honored with the Outstanding Musician Award at the Jazz Yatra festival in India, acknowledging his global impact on jazz performance.^[46] Additionally, in 2017, Manhattan School of Music presented Turre with its Distinguished Alumni Award for his exceptional career achievements and contributions to jazz education as a graduate of its jazz trombone program.^[47] Turre's recent accolades underscore his enduring influence, particularly in bridging jazz with Latin traditions often underrepresented in mainstream recognition. In 2023, he was named Trombonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association (JJA), celebrating his virtuosic playing and compositional depth across genres.^[48] This honor was reaffirmed in 2025, when Turre again received the JJA Trombonist of the Year award, highlighting his continued leadership in jazz innovation at age 77.^[44] These awards emphasize Turre's role in elevating Latin jazz elements through his multicultural ensembles and recordings, fostering greater visibility for hybrid styles rooted in his Mexican-American heritage.

Discography

Albums as Leader

Steve Turre has released over 20 albums as a leader across more than four decades, beginning with his debut Viewpoints on Stash Records in 1987 and progressing through Antilles and hat ART in the early 1990s, Verve in the late 1990s, Telarc in the early 2000s, HighNote in the mid-2000s, and Smoke Sessions Records from the 2010s onward.^[49]^[50]^[51] These recordings highlight his innovations in seashell playing, thematic tributes, and ensemble explorations, often blending post-bop, Latin, and Afro-Cuban elements. One of Turre's seminal works, Sanctified Shells (1993, Antilles), introduced his signature shell ensembles, featuring conch shells modified for musical performance in Africanized rhythms and Caribbean idioms, with tracks like "Exploration" layering djembe and shell choirs for a symphonic effect.^[52]^[53]^[54] Later in the decade, Lotus Flower (1999, Verve) delivered a fiery fusion of swing, Latin, and Afro-Cuban grooves, including originals like "The Lotus Flower" and covers such as "The Inflated Tear," emphasizing Turre's compositional dazzle and ensemble interplay.^[55]^[56] Entering the new millennium, In the Spur of the Moment (2000, Telarc) showcased Turre's versatility through three piano-based quartets exploring traditional jazz, post-bop, and Afro-Cuban styles, notably featuring Ray Charles on piano for blues-inflected tracks like "The Closer."^[57]^[58] His output continued with HighNote releases in the 2000s, such as The Spirits Up Above (2004) and Keep Searchin' (2006), which incorporated spiritual jazz influences and searching improvisations. In recent years, Turre's Smoke Sessions albums have filled gaps in his catalog with tributes and live energy. Colors for the Masters (2016) paid homage to jazz elders like J.J. Johnson and Ron Carter, with tracks such as "JoCo Blue" and "Mellow D for RC" allowing traded solos that honored their legacies.^[59]^[60]^[61] Generations (2022) bridged eras through intergenerational collaborations, inviting veterans and young talents to reinterpret works by influences like Art Blakey and Ray Charles, underscoring Turre's role in passing the jazz torch.^[62]^[63] Sanyas (2024), his first live album as leader, captured electrifying performances at SMOKE Jazz Club with guests like Nicholas Payton, including spirited takes on "All the Things You Are" and the title track.^[40]^[64] Most recently, Fire and Ice Volume III (2025) extended his exploratory series with three tracks—"Well, You Needn't," "E.D.," and "Mood Indigo"—blending fire and cool introspection in a compact format.^[65]^[66]

Selected Sideman Contributions

Steve Turre's sideman work spans over five decades, encompassing more than 200 recordings that highlight his adaptability across jazz, Latin, and rock genres.^[2] His early contributions included a recording session with Carlos Santana in 1972 on Caravanserai.^[2] In 1972, Turre joined Ray Charles on tour, providing trombone support for the legendary singer's performances and contributing to the fusion of jazz and soul elements in live settings.^[2] During the mid-1970s, Turre's involvement with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers solidified his reputation in hard bop circles, where he recorded key tracks such as those on the 1973 Prestige releases Anthenagin and Buhaina.^[67] These sessions featured Turre alongside Cedar Walton on piano and Mickey Bass on bass, capturing the ensemble's energetic interplay during a transitional period for the band. He also collaborated with arranger Gil Evans on several projects, bringing his trombone and emerging shells technique to Evans' innovative orchestral jazz sound.^[68] In his later career, Turre expanded into broader jazz and pop territories, appearing with McCoy Tyner on recordings that blended post-bop with modal influences, and with Herbie Hancock on sessions exploring fusion and acoustic textures.^[2] His versatility shone in pop crossovers, including a tour with Van Morrison in the early 1970s.^[5] These diverse credits underscore Turre's role as a connective figure between genres. Turre's sideman appearances continue this legacy, with earlier contributions such as the 1999 album Stir It Up with Monty Alexander, exploring jazz standards and reggae-inflected tunes. Family-oriented recordings, such as those involving his wife Akua Dixon Turre, further reflect his ongoing engagement in intimate, ensemble-driven work.^[2]

References

[1]
Steve Turre Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More... - AllMusic
Perhaps the most visible jazz trombonist of the 20th and 21st centuries. Read Full Biography. Active. 1970s - 2020s. Born. September 12, 1948 in Omaha, NE ...
[2]
About - Steve Turre
One of the world's preeminent jazz innovators, trombonist and seashellist Steve Turre, has consistently won both the Readers' and Critics' polls.
[3]
Steve Turre: Good Vibrations - JazzTimes
Oct 2, 2024 · Trombone came easily to Steve Turre. He chose it in the eighth grade after seeing a picture of a marching band. “I had a knack for it,” he ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[4]
Steve Turre Musician - All About Jazz
Turre was born to Mexican-American parents and grew up in the San Francisco Bay area where he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues and jazz. While attending ...
[5]
Steve Turre: Still Searchin' article @ All About Jazz
Aug 21, 2006 · Steve Turre is widely considered to be the finest jazz trombonist in the world. In addition to his twenty-plus years of service in the ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[6]
Steve Turre | Yamaha Artists
Turre was born to Mexican-American parents and grew up in the San Francisco Bay area where he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues and jazz. While attending ...Missing: childhood exposure
[7]
Steve Turre - Beautiful Humans
Oct 4, 2017 · Steve Turre is recognized as one of the best trombonists in the world, a pioneer in using seashells as an instrument.Missing: exposure | Show results with:exposure<|control11|><|separator|>
[8]
Focus Archive - Steve Turre - Yamaha Corporation
Uninspired by his first instrument, the violin, he switched to trombone at age 10 and later studied the instrument at the University of North Texas. While ...Missing: family move California
[9]
Steve Turre - www.jazzweekly.com | Interviews
STEVE TURRE: Well, I started playing the trombone in the school band in grade school. I started improvising in the school jazz band in junior high school ...Missing: lessons inspiration
[10]
Steve Turre Musician - All About Jazz
### Biography Summary for Steve Turre
[11]
An Interview with Steve Turre - the Online Trombone Journal
Nov 1, 1998 · Turre is also the undisputed king of the shell players. Inspired by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, he began experimenting with sea shells in the early ...
[12]
Since he heard 'the sound of tranquillity' in 1968, Steve Turre has ...
Nov 11, 1993 · ... Rahsaan Roland Kirk when Kirk suddenly blew a note on a sea shell. It changed Turre's life. “Roland would bang on a gong, and that would ...
[13]
Steve Turre | Spotify
One of the finest trombonists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Steve Turre is also one of its most diverse. He is a composer, sideman, arranger, ...Missing: exposure family
[14]
Steve Turre - Manhattan School of Music
Turre was born to Mexican-American parents and grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, where he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues, and jazz. While ...Missing: childhood exposure
[15]
Steve Turre - ark
“I don't know anybody on the trombone that can play faster than Curtis Fuller could,” Turre explains. “But when I first came to New York in 1973, I met ...Missing: early 1970s
[16]
Keeping Ancestors Alive through Music: Steve Turre - Bop Spots
Oct 30, 2019 · This is the wonderful interview I had with the amazing composer, arranger, trombone and shells player: Steve Turre.
[17]
https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/display/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002276732
[18]
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/steve-turre-shell-n-bone-man-steve-turre-by-ian-patterson
[19]
Steve Turre: Shell 'n' 'Bone Man - All About Jazz
Feb 23, 2009 · The rhythm of the music is more important than the notes. Steve Turre Few can match Steve Turré's skill as a trombonist. His technical ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[20]
Steve Turre | Today Is The Question: Ted Panken on Music, Politics ...
Sep 12, 2023 · Presently in his twenty-eighth season in the Saturday Night Live house band, and his fourth year teaching trombone at Juilliard after 18 years ...Missing: formal studies
[21]
Steve Turre - The Bones of Art - Latin Jazz Network
Jan 18, 2014 · One of the world's preeminent jazz innovators, trombonist and seashellist Steve Turre, has consistently won both the Readers' and Critics' polls.Missing: exposure | Show results with:exposure
[22]
Jazz In Film (Film Score Anthology): CDs & Vinyl - Amazon.com
Steve Turre. The late pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Reginald Veal, and drummer Carl Allen complete the rhythm section while special guest tenor ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[23]
Steve Turre/Jon Faddis Quintet with Roy McCurdy
Feb 7, 2025 · Don't miss this rare evening with three legendary jazz masters: Steve Turre on trombone and shells, Jon Faddis on trumpet, and drummer Roy ...
[24]
Jazz Caliente: Steve Turre's Shells | KNKX Public Radio
May 12, 2017 · Trombonist Steve Turre grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where, he says, he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues and jazz.Missing: exposure family
[25]
Masterclass with Steve Turre: Making Music with Shells - OTJ
Nov 1, 1998 · Playing the shells can help you as a brass player. They take a lot of endurance, a lot more air and strength.Missing: innovations technique
[26]
Making a Trombone or a Seashell Sing - The New York Times
Jan 6, 2002 · Through ''trial and error,'' he said, he found he could coax tunes from the shells, using the same embouchure and breathing techniques he uses ...
[27]
Welcoming New Faculty - The Juilliard School
Oct 30, 2018 · A dozen people have joined the Juilliard college division faculty ... Steve Turre, Eric Reed, and the Dexter Gordon Legacy Ensemble. He's ...
[28]
Andromeda Turre To Return To Grace Farms With Environmental ...
Feb 19, 2025 · As the daughter of trombonist Steve Turre and cellist Akua Dixon, this lineage does more than inform her artistry; it offers a foundation ...
[29]
Unesco Director-general Irina Bokova And ... - International Jazz Day
Mar 4, 2014 · ... Steve Turre and other ... Daytime events in Osaka will include master classes, roundtable discussions, improvisational workshops ...Missing: multicultural | Show results with:multicultural
[30]
Spiritman - Smoke Sessions Records
As Turre explains in his thoughts about this recording and music in general, “Music is about giving and about searching. Without spirit, music is just notes.” ...Missing: connection | Show results with:connection
[31]
Andromeda Turre - LYDIALIEBMAN.COM
Under the tutelage of her father, legendary trombonist Steve Turre, as well as jazz icons Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, and Wynton Marsalis, Turre has honed her ...
[32]
'Saturday Night Live' Trombonist Keeps 'Music Alive' by Teaching ...
Jan 27, 2017 · “To keep this music alive you have to pass it on,” Turre said. To that end, Turre passed on his music knowledge to students at Edna Brewer ...Missing: protégés | Show results with:protégés
[33]
Turre Family History - Sorted By Name
TURRE. [$]. TURRE, STEPHEN J who was 22 (born ABT 1948) married 11 NOV 1970 in DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a bride named SUSAN J BEARD who was 22 (born ABT ...
[34]
Steve Turre - Biography - IMDb
Spouses. Pamela Turre(September 24, 2017 - present). Akua Dixon(1978 - 2012) (divorced, 2 children). Susan J. Beard(1970 - 1972) (divorced) ; Children. Andromeda ...Missing: marriages | Show results with:marriages
[35]
Biography | Andromeda Turre
As a composer, Turre has spent over two decades crafting works for licensing which has been used in small films, television, video games, and theater.Missing: mentorship seashell
[36]
Bio - Orion Turre
Drummer Orion Turre has performed at the most premier jazz clubs and festivals across the USA as well as having toured the Europe, Russia and the Caribbean.
[37]
Pamela Taylor and Steve Turre Wedding Registry - The Knot
Sep 24, 2017 · Pamela Taylor and Steve Turre from New Jersey, null have registered at for their wedding on September 24, 2017. Browse all their registries ...Missing: marriage | Show results with:marriage
[38]
Steve Turre | Available Now via Smoke Sessions Records
Sep 16, 2022 · Master Trombonist Steve Turre Bridges Generations of Jazz on His Fourth Smoke Sessions Release. Generations Features Young Rising Stars and ...Missing: film | Show results with:film
[39]
Jazz happenings: Radam Schwartz, Steve Turre, Howard Alden and ...
Jan 20, 2011 · Trombonist and longtime Montclair resident Steve Turre, a pillar of the New Jersey jazz community, brings his music to the Shanghai Jazz Club ...
[40]
Playing up Montclair as a center for jazz musicians and their fans.
Apr 26, 2019 · ... Steve Turre, Cyro Baptista, Billy Hart and of course, Christian McBride. ... "We didn't think we'd want to live in New Jersey, but friends ...
[41]
STEVE TURRE SEXTET - Montclair Jazz Festival
Aug 21, 2024 · While attending Sacramento State University, he joined the Escovedo Brothers salsa band, which began his career-long involvement with that genre ...
[42]
Steve Turre Sextet “Generations” SAN JAVIER 2023 - YouTube
Feb 11, 2024 · Comments · Irakere, El Volcan del Caribe -1988 · The Steve Turre Sextet [full concert] | Trinity Church Wall Street | July 10, 2022 · Ron Carter - ...Missing: 2024 2025
[43]
New Jersey's Jazz House Kids - JazzTimes
Sep 1, 2024 · Then you have the musicians who come through, like [trumpeter] Freddie Hendrix and [trombonist] Steve Turre, who's become an ongoing mentor for ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography<|control11|><|separator|>
[44]
Sanyas - Smoke Sessions Records
Sanyas, due out June 28, marks the first live album as a leader from legendary trombonist and shell master Steve Turre, a landmark in a career spanning more ...
[45]
Steve Turre Concert Tickets - 2025 Tour Dates. - Songkick
Unfortunately there are no concert dates for Steve Turre scheduled in 2025. Songkick is the first to know of new tour announcements and concert information.
[46]
The 2011 Expanded Critics' Poll: Individual Ballots - JazzTimes
May 2, 2024 · Best Artists Trumpet Roy Hargrove Wynton Marsalis Randy Brecker Jeremy Pelt Ambrose Akinmusire Trombone Josh Roseman Steve Turre Conrad ...
[47]
2023 Nominees for Performance & Recordings - JJA Jazz Awards
Apr 25, 2023 · Steve Turre. Brass Specialist of the Year. Bob Stewart (tuba) Marcus Rojas (tuba) Theon Cross (tuba) Steven Bernstein (slide trumpet, trumpet) ...
[48]
2025 Winners for Jazz Performance and Recordings
May 5, 2025 · Steve Turre - 2025 Trombonist of the Year ... 2024 Winners for Jazz Performance and Recordings · May 13, 2024 · Charles Lloyd - 2023 Lifetime ...
[49]
From trombone to shells, Steve Turre riffs boldly
### Summary of Quotes and Praise for Steve Turre
[50]
Steve Turre - The Kennedy Center
Mr. Turre grew up in the San Francisco Bay area where he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues and jazz. While attending Sacramento State University, he ...
[51]
Alumni: Awards - Manhattan School of Music
Steve Turre (MM '88, Jazz Trombone) Jazz trombonist and educator. 2017 Distinguished Alumni Honoree. David Wolfsohn (DMA '84, Piano) Lawyer. 2016 Distinguished ...
[52]
2023 Winners for Jazz Performance and Recordings
May 15, 2023 · Steve Turre - 2023 Trombonist of the Year. Trombonist of the Year. STEVE TURRE. Trombonist, seashell player, composer, educator. Nominees ...
[53]
Steve Turre
### Steve Turre Albums as Leader
[54]
Steve Turre discography - All About Jazz
Steve Turre discography. Total albums in discography: 31. Sort albums by: Year, Title. View albums as co-leader or side person · Sanyas. Smoke Sessions Records, ...
[55]
Steve Turre: Jazz Trombonist & Educator | PDF | Musical Instruments
... Steve Turre, and Kirk Joseph In 1968, Turre played with Rahsaan Roland Kirk. In 1970 he recorded with Carlos Santana, and in 1972 he toured with Ray Charles.
[56]
Sanctified Shells - Steve Turre - Amazon.com
Trombonist Steve Turre's second instruments are shells, and they're just that--large conch shells with minimal modifications to turn them into musical ...
[57]
Steve Turre's Sanctified Shells - Chicago Reader
Aug 20, 2021 · The tropical illusion they can cast works perfectly in the Africanized rhythms and idioms of the Caribbean, which have fascinated Turre throughout his career.Missing: formation 1980s
[58]
Sanctified Shells - Steve Turre
Tracklist: · Exploration · Gumbo · African Shells: First Interlude - Strength · Macho (Para Machito) · African Shells: Second Interlude - The Dream · Beautiful India ...Missing: ensemble formation 1980s 1993
[59]
https://steveturre.com/recordings/colors-for-the-masters/
[60]
Lotus Flower - Steve Turre
Tracklist: The Lotus Flower; Chairman of the Board; The Inflated Tear; The Organ Grinder; Passion for Peace; Sposin'; The Fragrance of Love; Blackfoot ...Missing: album theme
[61]
In The Spur Of The Moment - Concord - Label Group
One of the world's preeminent jazz innovators, Steve Turre consistently wins both the readers' and critics' polls in JazzTimes, Down Beat, and Jazziz for Best ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[62]
Steve Turre: In The Spur Of The Moment - All About Jazz
Apr 1, 2000 · The true surprise of "In The Spur Of The Moment" is the employment of Ray Charles as instrumental accompanist on four of the bluesier tracks.<|control11|><|separator|>
[63]
Colors For The Masters - Steve Turre
While a member of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Turre found himself playing next to Quentin “Butter” Jackson, who had taken over the plunger chair in ...
[64]
Colors for the Masters - Smoke Sessions Records
TROMBONIST AND COMPOSER STEVE TURRE SHOWS OFF HIS FULL SPECTRUM OF SOUNDS on ... tribute to and alongside some of the elders that have inspired Turre.
[65]
Steve Turre - Colors for the Masters — JazzTrail | Album Reviews
Dec 13, 2016 · The band embarks on several renditions of classic jazz tunes such as the brisk “Coffee Pot” by J.J. Johnson, an influence and inspiration to the ...
[66]
Generations - Steve Turre
On his new album, Generations, Turre brings the eras together, inviting still- vital legends to join a gifted band of rising starts to pay tribute to the elders ...Missing: website | Show results with:website
[67]
Steve Turre, Smoke Sessions Records Succeed Through Release ...
Sep 24, 2022 · He released his latest album as a band leader Sept. 16 in the form of Generations through Smoke Sessions Records. The 10-song record, which runs ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[68]
https://www.downbeat.com/digitaledition/2013/DB201308/_art/DB201308.pdf
[69]
‎Steve Turre: Fire and Ice Volume III - Single - Album by Steve Turre ...
Listen to Steve Turre: Fire and Ice Volume III - Single by Steve Turre on Apple Music. 2025. 3 Songs. Duration: 13 minutes.
[70]
Fire and Ice Volume III - Single by Steve Turre - Spotify
Listen to Steve Turre: Fire and Ice Volume III on Spotify · single · Steve Turre · 2025 · 3 songs.Missing: 2025 | Show results with:2025
[71]
Art Blakey Chronology (and the Jazz Messengers) - JazzMF
... Steve Turre-tb; Cedar Walton-p; Mickey Bass-b. Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA (May 3, 1973) Anthenagin (Prestige 10076) Buhaina (Prestige 10067). July 4, 1973 ...
[72]
[PDF] 61st Annual Critics Poll - DownBeat
Aug 7, 2013 · guitarist Carlos Santana turns the heat up on the disco jam “Brand New Wayo. ... Steve Turre ............... 130. Trombone Shorty ......94.
[73]
https://www.discogs.com/master/633452-Steve-Turre-Steve-Turre