Steve Coleman began playing music just days before his 14th birthday as a freshman at South Shore High School on the south side of Chicago. His first instrument was the violin, but later that year, he switched to the alto saxophone. After studying music basics and saxophone technique for three years, he decided to learn improvisation, which led him to the music of Charlie Parker, a favorite of his father.
Steve studied at Illinois Wesleyan University before transferring to Roosevelt University (Chicago Music College) to immerse himself in Chicago’s musical nightlife. He sought mentorship from top Chicago saxophonists like Von Freeman, Bunky Green, Gido Sinclair, and Sonny Greer. By 1978, he led a band at the New Apartment Lounge, performing Parker classics and writing music, but feeling creatively stagnant, he decided to move to New York City.
After hitchhiking to New York, Steve stayed at a YMCA and soon landed a gig with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Big Band, followed by stints with the Sam Rivers Big Band, Cecil Taylor’s Big Band, and others. He worked with artists like David Murray, Doug Hammond, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, and Abbey Lincoln, while being deeply influenced by Von Freeman, Sam Rivers, and Doug Hammond.
Steve formed his iconic group Steve Coleman and Five Elements, which became the foundation of his musical activities. Performing in clubs across Harlem and Brooklyn, the group developed the M-Base concept—a philosophical approach to music based on creating from personal experience. In 1985, he recorded his first albums on the JMT label, including Motherland Pulse, On The Edge Of Tomorrow, and World Expansion.
Steve’s music and philosophy were deeply influenced by his 1993 trip to Ghana, where he studied the Dagbon drum language. This experience shaped his albums Def Trance Beat and A Tale of 3 Cities. Later travels to Cuba, Senegal, and India deepened his understanding of the connection between ancient traditions and modern improvisation.
Notable collaborations include work with AfroCuba de Matanzas (resulting in the album The Sign and The Seal), the formation of Steve Coleman and The Mystic Rhythm Society, and Steve Coleman and The Council of Balance, whose projects explored ancient philosophies and African traditions.
Throughout his career, Steve has worked with influential institutions like IRCAM in Paris, receiving commissions to develop interactive computer software. His innovative music incorporates AI tools like The Improviser, reflecting his deep engagement with technology and composition.
Coleman’s recordings span decades, including award-winning albums such as:
•Functional Arrhythmias (2013), inspired by the body’s cyclical rhythms.
•Synovial Joints (2015), a large ensemble work.
•Morphogenesis (2017), featuring Steve Coleman’s Natal Eclipse ensemble.
Steve has received numerous honors, including the MacArthur Fellowship (2014), Doris Duke Artist Award (2015), and Guggenheim Fellowship (2014). He has been a faculty member at institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, and has conducted residencies worldwide through his nonprofit, M-Base Concepts, Inc.
Today, Steve continues to inspire with his groundbreaking music, integrating ancient knowledge, cultural traditions, and technological innovation to push the boundaries of contemporary jazz.
