Steve Colson

b. 4 Sept 1949, Newark, NJ, USA. Colson performed piano from early child years and studied thoroughly, attaining a qualification at Northwestern University or college College of Music before settling in Chicago where he became a significant person in the Black Performers Group (Handbag). During this time period, he wedded vocalist, lyricist and educator Kristine Browne (Iqua Colson). In 1982 the Colsons relocated to NJ where, in 1989, Newark Town Council called 13 November as Steve Colson Day time. The proclamation honoured the premiere from the pianist’s multi press work, ‘Greens, Grain, And A Rope’, at Newark Symphony Hall within a national special event of SONGS America. Colson is usually acclaimed in the modern jazz globe as both performer and composer. Among many music artists with whom he spent some time working and sometimes documented are Muhal Richard Abrams, Ed Blackwell, John Blake, Hamiet Bluiett, Anthony Davis, Richard Davis, Benny Golson, Leroy Jenkins, Oliver Lake, George Lewis, Branford Marsalis, T.S. Monk, Butch Morris, Hannibal Peterson, Rufus Reid, Maximum Roach and Henry Threadgill. Colson caused Roach and Amiri Baraka on the bop opera, Bumpy Johnson, and collaborated with Baraka and Richard Wesley on the commission from the brand new Shirt Chamber Music Culture. He was also conductor and arranger from the music of Willie ‘The Lion’ Smith as part of the Shed Jazz Shrines task. Colson continues to be very energetic in jazz education because the early 80s when he became associated with the Jazz Performers in the Colleges Program, a task of the Country wide Endowment for the Arts. Among his many teaching credits are regular membership from the faculty at Bloomfield University in NJ and Medgar Evers University of the town University of NY. Recordings by this extremely gifted pianist are too little but include looks with Andrew Cyrille (MY PAL Louis), Baikida Carroll (Marionettes On A HIGHER Wire), and David Murray (NEW LEASE OF LIFE). In the past due 90s, a reunion of Handbag co-workers, instigated by Kahil Un’Zabar, assembled for any recording session. Beneath the group name Bright Occasions, Un’Zabar, Colson, ‘Kalaparush’ Maurice McIntyre, Joseph Jarman, and Malachi Mementos, recorded Return FROM THE Shed Tribe. In the first 00s, Steve and Iqua Colson possess recorded collectively jointly credited.