Loren Stillman
"Loren Stillman is one of New York's best alto saxophonists, and has gained that distinction well before reaching age 30.” - David Adler, Jazz Times Magazine
“The magic, that which entrances, is not technique, although Stillman obviously can play anything his mind hears. He is that special player, one who is totally free.” - Budd Kopman, All About Jazz
The music of Brooklyn-based saxophonist and composer, Loren Stillman, has found acclaimed reviews in such publications as The New York Times, DownBeat Magazine, Jazziz, Jazz Times, and National Public Radio, marking him as an innovative voice of modern jazz. With his training stemming from Lee Konitz and David Liebman to Harvey Pittel, Stillman has performed, recorded, and educated throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Alongside an impressive record of performances, recordings, and master-classes with his own ensembles, Stillman has performed and recorded alongside The Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra, Paul Motian Trio 2000+2, Carla Bley, John Abercrombie, Michael Formanek: Ensemble Kolassus, Ralph Alessi, Andy Milne’s DAPP Theory, Michele Rosewoman Quintessence, Tyshawn Sorey Oblique, Brad Shepik, Vic Juris and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
An early start to his musical career found Stillman as recipient of two Outstanding Performance Awards (1996 &1998) and the Rising Star Jazz Artist Award (2004) from DownBeat Magazine.
Stillman attended Manhattan School of Music (1998) and The New School (2002) on full music scholarship, and was a semifinalist in the 2002 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition. In 2005, Stillman received the CMA/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming and the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award.
Stillman’s original recordings, Going Public (Fresh Sound 2013), Winter Fruits (Pirouet 2008), It Could Be Anything (Fresh Sound, 2005), The Brothers’ Breakfast (Steeplechase, 2006), and Blind Date (Pirouet, 2006), received critical acclaim from The New York Times, New Yorker and four star recognition in BBC Jazz Review, Jazz Man Magazine and DownBeat Magazine.
Stillman has been featured on WKCR, Weekend America Public Broadcasting, and LIU Radio programming.
Photo credit: Jos L. Knaepen