Steve Slagle

Slagle was born in Los Angeles and grew up in suburban Philadelphia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/steve-slagle/|title=Steve Slagle Musician - All About Jazz|first=All About|last=Jazz|date=March 11, 2023|website=All About Jazz Musicians}} He received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music and received a master's degree in Music From Manhattan School of Music.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/story/steve-slagle-musicians-show|title=Steve Slagle on the Musician's Show | WKCR 89.9FM NY|website=www.cc-seas.columbia.edu}} He came to New York in 1976, first working with Machito and his Afro-Cuban orchestra, and then recorded with Ray Barretto, Steve Kuhn, Lionel Hampton, Brother Jack McDuff, and Carla Bley.{{Cite web|url=https://steveslaglemusic.com/videos/a-neon-jazz-interview-with-jazz-saxophonist-flutist-composer-steve-slagle/|title=A Neon Jazz Interview with Jazz Saxophonist, Flutist & Composer Steve Slagle|date=August 8, 2018}} He also performed with Woody Herman and Cab Calloway. In the mid-1980s, he began leading his own combos, first with Mike Stern and Jaco Pastorius,{{Cite web|url=https://jazztimes.com/archives/jaco-pastorius-live-in-new-york-city-volume-7/|title=Jaco Pastorius: Live in New York City, Volume 7|first=Bill|last=Milkowski|date=April 25, 2019}} and then with Dave Stryker.{{Cite web |url=http://home.nestor.minsk.by/jazz/press/2012/02/2906.html |title=The Stryker/Slagle Band @ the Falcon Sat. Mar. 10th 7PM |access-date=May 20, 2012 |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708173722/http://home.nestor.minsk.by/jazz/press/2012/02/2906.html |url-status=dead }} During the 1990s, he was featured in the Charles Mingus Big Band{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicroom.com/charles-mingus-love-chant-arr-steve-slagle-jazz-hl07012001|title=Charles Mingus: Love Chant: (Arr. Steve Slagle): Jazz Ensemble|website=Musicroom.com|access-date=August 11, 2024}} and did twelve arrangements for the Mingus band which were nominated for and received Grammy Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://ticketing.jazz.org/16139/|title=Steve Slagle Quintet}} He also played frequently with Joe Lovano and featured on several of Lovano's albums,{{Cite web|url=https://maryxo.com/2014/11/12/five-questions-with-steve-slagle/|title=Five Questions with Steve Slagle|date=November 12, 2014}} including the Grammy-winning 52nd Street Themes.{{Cite web|url=https://joelovano.com/recordings/52nd-street-themes/|title=52nd Street Themes|website=Joelovano.com|access-date=August 11, 2024}}

In the mid-1980s, global and especially Latin influences inflected Slagle's work.{{Cite web|url=https://modernjazztoday.com/features/steve-slagle-a-never-ending-journey/|title=Steve Slagle: A Never-ending Journey - Modern Jazz Today|first=Jeff|last=Williams|date=April 16, 2019}} He appeared on albums by Milton Nascimento and recorded Rio Highlife in Brazil.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yanagisawasax.co.jp/en/artists/view/117|title=Steve Slagle｜YANAGISAWA Saxophones Official website|website=www.yanagisawasax.co.jp}} He toured frequently during the 1990s and 2000s, especially in Europe, Japan, and South America.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/409130-musician-hristo-yotsov-conditions-for-making-music-in-bulgaria-are-nnot-at-all-|title=Musician Hristo Yotsov: Conditions for Making Music in Bulgaria Are Not at All Bad|website=Bta.bg|access-date=August 11, 2024}} New New York, his 2000 release, has been seen as an expression of Slagle's love for the city he has made his home.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/new-new-york-steve-slagle-omnitone-review-by-glenn-astarita|title=Steve Slagle: New New York album review @ All About Jazz|first=All About|last=Jazz|date=January 1, 2001|website=All About Jazz}} He has played with such diverse artists as Milton Nascimento, St. Vincent, Elvis Costello, the Beastie Boys, and Mac Rebennack (aka Dr. John).{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com/veteran-sax-heavyweight-steve-slagle-on-originality-composition-theory-and-much-more/|title=Veteran Sax Heavyweight Steve Slagle on Originality, Composition, Theory, and Much More|first=Zach|last=Sollitto|date=October 1, 2024|website=Best. Saxophone. Website. Ever.}} Slagle has taught at the Manhattan School of Music, Rutgers, The New School, NYU, and clinics through the Thelonious Monk Institute as well as the Mingus Jazz Workshop and master classes and clinics worldwide.

Slagle recorded his composition “Hopewells Last” in 2007, and subsequently arranged it for the VJO Big Band in Sweden.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zohomusic.com/cds/stryker-slagle_scene.html|title=ZohoMusic.com - Latin Jazz With A New York Vibe|website=Zohomusic.com|access-date=August 11, 2024}}

In 2015, Slagle's duo recording with pianist Bill O'Connell, a tribute album to Kenny Drew Jr., was released as The Power of Two.{{Cite web|url=https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/steve-slagle-bill-oconnell-the-power-of-two/|title=Steve Slagle & Bill O'Connell: The Power of Two|first=Owen|last=Cordle|date=June 30, 2024}} In February 2016, Routes (by the Stryker/Slagle Band-Expanded) was released. It was produced by Rick Simpson, with 4-horn arrangements by Slagle. Routes reached #2 on the national radio charts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jazzweek.com/charts/|title=Charts|website=Jazzweek.com|access-date=August 11, 2024}}

Since 2016, all of Slagle's records have been produced by Rick Simpson; Alto Manhattan (2017), Dedication (2018), Spirit Calls (2019), Alive In Harlem (2020), Nascentia, (2021) and Into The Heart Of It. (2022). Those recordings have appeared on USA//Canada jazz radio charts, at times charting at number one for multiple weeks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sunyempire.edu/news/around-college/2017/alumni-steve-slagle-89-alto-manhattan-reaches-no-4-on-jazz-radio-charts.php|title=Around the College 2017: Alumni Steve Slagle 89 Alto Manhattan Reaches No 4 on Jazz Radio Charts | News and Information | Empire State University|website=Sunyempire.edu|access-date=August 11, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/jazzweek-radio-chart-april-4-2022/|title=Jazz news: JazzWeek Radio Chart: April 4, 2022|date=April 1, 2022|website=Allaboutjazz.com|access-date=August 11, 2024}}

Slagle plays and endorses Yanagisawa saxophones — the WO-10 alto saxophone and S9930 soprano saxophone. He has also played Haynes flutes. On tenor sax, he plays a Selmer Mark VI, and, on baritone sax, a 1947 Silver Conn.

In 2011, Slagle published a composition and improvisation workbook for the creative musician, including stories about his life, in "Scenes, Songs and Solos" (Schaffner Press).{{cite web |url=http://www.schaffnerpress.com/authors/detail/12/ |title=Steve Slagle - Schaffnerpress.com |access-date=2011-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910143232/http://www.schaffnerpress.com/authors/detail/12/ |archive-date=2011-09-10 }}

His compositions are published with Slagle Music, BMI.

• High Standards {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9185374-Steve-Slagle-Mike-Stern-Teddy-Saunders-Harvie-Swartz-Victor-Lewis-High-Standards|title=Steve Slagle, Mike Stern, Teddy Saunders, Harvie Swartz, Victor Lewis - High Standards|date=April 26, 1984|via=www.discogs.com}}(Polydor, 1984)
• Rio Highlife {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3012002-Steve-Slagle-Rio-Highlife|title=Steve Slagle - Rio Highlife|date=April 26, 1986|via=www.discogs.com}}(Atlantic, 1986)
• Smoke Signals {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11600082-Steve-Slagle-Smoke-Signals|title=Steve Slagle - Smoke Signals|date=April 26, 1991|via=www.discogs.com}}(Panorama, 1991)
• The Steve Slagle Quartet {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8325654-The-Steve-Slagle-Quartet-The-Steve-Slagle-Quartet|title=The Steve Slagle Quartet - The Steve Slagle Quartet|date=April 26, 1993|via=www.discogs.com}}(SteepleChase, 1993)
• Our Sound! {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8457432-Steve-Slagle-Quartet-Our-Sound|title=Steve Slagle Quartet - Our Sound!|date=April 26, 1995|via=www.discogs.com}} (Double-Time, 1995)
• Reincarnation {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8457399-Steve-Slagle-Quartet-Reincarnation|title=Steve Slagle Quartet - Reincarnation|date=April 26, 1995|via=www.discogs.com}} (SteepleChase, 1995)
• Spread the Word{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4008067-Steve-Slagle-Quartet-Spread-The-Word|title=Steve Slagle Quartet - Spread The Word|date=April 26, 1995|via=www.discogs.com}} (SteepleChase, 1995)
• Alto Blue {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8389508-Steve-Slagle-Quartet-Alto-Blue|title=Steve Slagle Quartet - Alto Blue|date=April 26, 1997|via=www.discogs.com}}(SteepleChase, 1997)
• Steve Slagle Plays Monk {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8148444-Steve-Slagle-Steve-Slagle-Plays-Monk|title=Steve Slagle - Steve Slagle Plays Monk|date=April 26, 1998|via=www.discogs.com}} (SteepleChase, 1998)
• New New York {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1951190-Steve-Slagle-New-New-York|title=Steve Slagle - New New York|date=April 26, 2000|via=www.discogs.com}}(OmniTone, 2000)
• Evensong {{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/evensong-mw0002488542|title=Evensong - Steve Slagle | Album | AllMusic|via=www.allmusic.com}}(Panorama, 2013)
• The Power of Two with Bill O'Connell{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8890699-Steve-Slagle-Bill-OConnell-The-Power-Of-Two|title=Steve Slagle & Bill O'Connell - The Power Of Two|date=April 26, 2015|via=www.discogs.com}} (Panorama, 2015)
• Alto Manhattan{{Cite web|url=http://michaelsmusiclog.blogspot.com/2017/02/steve-slagle-alto-manhattan-2017-cd.html|title=Michael Doherty's Music Log: Steve Slagle: “Alto Manhattan” (2017) CD Review|first=Michael|last=Doherty|date=February 21, 2017}} (Panorama, 2017)
• Dedication {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11152757-Steve-Slagle-Dedication|title=Steve Slagle - Dedication|date=January 4, 2018|via=www.discogs.com}}(Panorama, 2018)
• Spirit Calls (Panorama, 2019)
• Alive in Harlem {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/19607755-Steve-Slagle-Trio-Alive-In-Harlem|title=Steve Slagle Trio - Alive In Harlem|date=April 26, 2020|via=www.discogs.com}}(Panorama, 2020)
• Nascentia,{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/18098125-Steve-Slagle-Nascentia-Birth|title=Steve Slagle - Nascentia (Birth)|date=February 25, 2021|via=www.discogs.com}}(Panorama, 2021)
• Into the Heart of It {{Cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/ballads-into-the-heart-of-it-steve-slagle-panorama-records|title=Steve Slagle: Ballads: Into the Heart of it album review @ All About Jazz|first=All About|last=Jazz|date=February 24, 2022|website=All About Jazz}}(Panorama, 2022)

With Stryker/Slagle Band

• The Stryker/Slagle Band{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/4307195-The-Stryker-Slagle-Band|title=The Stryker / Slagle Band|website=Discogs}} (Khaeon, 2003)
• Live at the Jazz Standard {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8892866-The-Stryker-Slagle-Band-Live-At-The-Jazz-Standard|title=The Stryker / Slagle Band - Live At The Jazz Standard|date=April 26, 2005|via=www.discogs.com}}(Zoho, 2005)
• Latest Outlook{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/6787933-The-Stryker-Slagle-Band-Latest-Outlook|title=The Stryker / Slagle Band - Latest Outlook|date=April 26, 2007|via=www.discogs.com}} (Zoho, 2007)
• The Scene{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8887058-The-Stryker-Slagle-Band-The-Scene|title=The Stryker / Slagle Band - The Scene|date=April 26, 2008|via=www.discogs.com}} (Zoho, 2008)
• Keeper {{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8887000-The-Stryker-Slagle-Band-Keeper|title=The Stryker / Slagle Band - Keeper|date=April 26, 2010|via=www.discogs.com}}(Panorama, 2010)
• Routes {{Cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/routes-the-stryker-slagle-band-expanded-self-produced-review-by-edward-blanco|title=The Stryker/Slagle Band: Routes album review @ All About Jazz|first=All About|last=Jazz|date=February 14, 2016|website=All About Jazz}}(Strikezone, 2016)

With Carla Bley

• Live! (WATT/ECM, 1982)
• Mortelle Randonnee{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1658921-Carla-Bley-Mortelle-Randonn%C3%A9e-Extraits-De-La-Bande-Originale-Du-Film|title=Carla Bley - Mortelle Randonnée (Extraits De La Bande Originale Du Film)|date=April 26, 1983|via=www.discogs.com}} (Mercury, 1983)
• Heavy Heart (WATT/ECM, 1984)
• I Hate to Sing (WATT/ECM, 1984)
• Live in Montreal (L'Equipe Spectra, 2002)

With Lionel Hampton

• Hamp in Haarlem (Timeless, 1979)
• Live in Europe (Elite Special, 1980)
• Ambassador at Large (Glad-Hamp, 1984)

With Joe Lovano

• 52nd Street Themes (Blue Note, 2000)
• On This Day ... Live at The Vanguard (Blue Note, 2003)
• Streams of Expression (Blue Note, 2006)

With Mingus Big Band

• Mingus Big Band 93 Nostalgia in Times Square (Dreyfus, 1993)
• Gunslinging Birds (Dreyfus, 1995)
• Live in Time (Dreyfus, 1996)
• Que Viva Mingus! (Dreyfus, 1997)

With Bill O'Connell

• Rhapsody in Blue (Challenge, 2010)
• Zocalo (Savant, 2013)
• Imagine (Savant, 2014)
• Heart Beat (Savant, 2016)

With Dave Stryker

• First Strike (Someday of Mugen Music, 1990)
• Strike Zone (SteepleChase, 1991)
• Passage (SteepleChase, 1993)
• Full Moon (SteepleChase, 1994)
• Nomad (SteepleChase, 1995)
• Shades of Miles (SteepleChase, 2000)
• Changing Times (SteepleChase, 2001)
• Blue to the Bone III (SteepleChase, 2002)
• Shades Beyond (SteepleChase, 2004)
• Blue to the Bone IV (SteepleChase, 2013)
• Messin' with Mister T (Strikezone, 2015)

With others

• Ray Barretto, Handprints (Concord Picante, 1991)
• Barbara Dennerlein, Outhipped (Universal/Verve, 1999)
• Marianne Faithfull, Strange Weather (Island, 1987)
• Charlie Haden & Carla Bley, The Ballad of the Fallen (ECM, 1983)
• Craig Handy, Reflections in Change (Sirocco Music, 1999)
• High Life, High Life (Elektra Musician, 1986)
• Joe Jackson, Will Power (A&M, 1987)
• Steve Kuhn, Motility (ECM, 1977)
• Steve Kuhn, Non-Fiction (ECM, 1978)
• Mark Soskin, Keys of the City (Koei, 1990)
• Beastie Boys, Hello Nasty (Capitol, 1998)

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.steveslaglemusic.com/ Steve Slagle homepage]
• {{YouTube|lXOu5cF77_0|Steve Slagle playing with the Joe Lovano Nonet, Paris, 2001}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110910143232/http://www.schaffnerpress.com/authors/detail/12/ Steve Slagle at Schaffner Press]

{{Authority control}}

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Category:1952 births

Category:Living people

Category:American jazz saxophonists

Category:American male saxophonists

Category:American jazz flautists

Category:21st-century American saxophonists

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:American male jazz musicians

Category:Mingus Big Band members

Category:Double-Time Records artists

Category:SteepleChase Records artists

Category:21st-century American flautists