Guitarist Steve Khan

Welcome to the home page of Jazz guitarist Steve Khan!

NOW AVAILABLE!!! "PARTING SHOT" is Steve's brand new recording, and features Eyewitness veterans: Anthony Jackson, Dennis Chambers, and Manolo Badrena, alongside the tremendous Latin percussion tandem of Marc Quiñones and Bobby Allende. There is even a title in Spanish, perhaps a phrase invented by Steve, "Golpe de Partida." Together they perform 7 new compositions from Steve, and his interpretations of "Bye-ya" by Thelonious Monk, and both "Chronology" and "Blues Connotation" by Ornette Coleman. Recorded by James Farber at Avatar Studios on November 6th-7th, 2010 and, for the first time, the cover image features another one of Steve's favorite artists, the great Frenchman Michel Granger. It has been a longtime dream for Steve to be able to feature a cover by Granger. This is, perhaps, one of the first Latin Jazz recordings led by a guitarist in decades.
    The simultaneous releases were scheduled as follows: 55 Records(Japan) released the CD first on April 20th. And then, on April 26th, ESC Records(Germany/Europe) followed, Tone Center Records(USA) releases the recording officially on May 10th. For more of the story, go to the NEWS page.

    A note from the Webmaster: Check out KHAN'S KORNER 1 which now has 65 hand-written solo transcriptions. Classic solos by: Miles Davis, Jim Hall, Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Clare Fischer, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, Paul Desmond, George Benson, George Coleman, John Scofield, Gabor Szabo and Robben Ford, plus corresponding mp3s.
    To get 2012 off to a fantastic start, we are presenting Pat Martino's superb solo over the Benny Golson classic "Along Came Betty" that appears on Pat's CONSCIOUSNESS(Muse) album from 1974. This 2 chorus solo can serve any young guitarist, or instrumentalist studying the Jazz language, as a mini-compendium of a portion of the necessary vocabulary you would need to move forward. Enjoy this solo to the fullest, and have a great year ahead!!!
    During the first 6 months of 2012, we have some great transcription surprises planned for everyone as this part of the website was a bit dormant during the recording and release of Steve's most recent CD. So, around the 1st of each month, make sure that you check-in here to see what's new!!!
    After a long absence, we return to the art of melodic improvising with yet another Paul Desmond solo over the great standard, "Someday My Prince Will Come," that appears on Desmond's SUMMERTIME(A&M) album from 1968. The rhythm section featured Miles Davis Quintet veterans Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter, alongside drummer Leo Morris, later known as, Idris Muhammad. Don Sebesky's brass arrangement adds just the right touch to a beautiful performance by all. Too often, players of all ages lose sight of constructing melodies when improvising, this solo offers a reminder of just how wonderful playing simply and melodically can be.
    Just last year, when we appeared to be exiting a very cold and snowy winter here in the New York area, with hints of Spring suddenly around us, we celebrated the arrival of another "season of hope and renewal" by presenting a rare chance to compare and contrast the original Thelonious Monk piano solo recorded on THELONIOUS MONK TRIO(Prestige) from 1952, which then inspired Hall Overton's arrangement for a small orchestra, that performed the arrangement of "Little Rootie Tootie" during the famous Town Hall concert in 1959. And then, some 30 years later, Joe Zawinul recorded the same piece, and put his own 'spin' on the famous Overton "soli" arrangement of Monk's solo. Joe's interpretation was recorded with the great Scott Henderson on guitar. Reading Steve's analysis should serve as a guide for your own comparisons between the 3 interpretations.

    At KHAN'S KORNER 2, as 2011 came to a close, we finally shared the last of the original tunes from Steve's latest CD, "PARTING SHOT"(Golpe de Partida), when we posted "Just Deserts." As always, Steve's analysis was filled with interesting and informative stories about the music, the performance, and even about the title and its spelling. Take the time to get better acquainted with the percussion jam from the album that features: Bobby Allende, Marc Quiñones, and Dennis Chambers - and of course all the other originals.

    "Zancudoville" was the last of the three cha-cha-chas to appear on the album. The bluesy nature of the groove and the main theme allows Steve to put to use his fantastic overdrive sound. To the surprise of all, Steve also performs the vocalese sections of the piece. Longtime musical associate Rob Mounsey performs all the keyboards parts with his usual stellar musicality. And while all this is going on, Manolo Badrena provides all the swampy atmosphere, and converses with the zancudos.
    In September, we shared "When She's Not Here"(Cuando Ella No Está), the gorgeous bolero, the ballad from the album which features Steve in a most romantic setting. Augmented by Rob Mounsey's spectacular orchestration, the conversational bongo work of Marc Quiñones is one of the highlights of this great recording.
    In August,"Influence Peddler"(Traficante de Influencias) was the 4th in the series, and it is the 2nd cha-cha-cha on the album. Rooted in its R&B influences, at the conclusion of this 10-minute journey, there are spectacular solos from Dennis Chambers, Marc Quiñones; and Bobby Allende. The appearance of the superb voices of Tatiana Parra(Brasil) and Andrés Beeuwsaert(Argentina) during the vocalese sections add a most special touch. It was a great thrill to have them appear on the recording.
    In July, "María Mulambo" became the 3rd in the series, and offers a union of James Brown's "Doing It to Death" groove, Afro-Cuban 6/8 and Manolo Badrena's wild Brasilian-style Portuguese lyrics. Throw in the rock solid foot-stompin' pulse from Anthony Jackson & Dennis Chambers and you've got another classic in the Eyewitness extended song form mold. Wishing everyone a wonderful July with this one!
    In June, "Los Gaiteros" was the 2nd in the series. Depending upon your point of view, it is a most interesting or unusual piece of music with a tumbao in 3/4, but, it can feel otherwise. Check it out, and decide for yourself.
    In May, we began the series by posting the lead sheets to another one of Steve's new compositions, "Change Agent"(El Catalizador). This Bb blues, played as a cha-cha-cha, was actually the first of the 10 songs to be recorded for the CD. Steve's analysis states that this tune offers the best of the Eyewitness music-making sensibility coupled with all the Latin rhythms and percussion sounds supplied by Marc Quiñones and Bobby Allende. Enjoy this one with our very best wishes for a fantastic Summer!!! Yikes, the heat is already here!

    This site created and maintained by Blaine Fallis, A Train Creative, Inc. . Graphic design Blaine and Youngsuk Fallis. Written and edited by Steve Khan. Steve Khan illustration by NED SHAW. Don't miss Ned's latest at our ONLINE GALLERY!