Steve Khan

Steve Khan, a jazz-rooted guitarist of notable ability, has applied his talents both to leading his own ensembles and to frequent work as a studio musician. Born in Los Angeles in 1947, he grew up in a musical household as the son of lyricist Sammy Cahn. He first took up drums and piano during adolescence, turning to guitar near the age of twenty. After sharpening his technique at U.C.L.A., he moved to New York City and soon secured engagements in jazz, pop, and R&B contexts, sharing stages with Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, the Brecker Brothers, Joe Zawinul's Weather Update, and additional artists.

His recording career began in 1976 with the duo album Two for the Road, made alongside guitarist Larry Coryell. Columbia then issued a series of his own well-regarded projects: Tightrope in 1977, The Blue Man in 1978, and Arrows in 1979. Session contributions during those years included albums by Ashford & Simpson, Rupert Holmes, Steely Dan, and Billy Joel. The Thelonious Monk-themed Evidence appeared in 1980. The following year he assembled the fusion quartet Eyewitness, which remained active through the remainder of the decade. Further respected releases arrived in the nineties, among them Headline in 1992, Crossings in 1994, and 1997's Got My Mental, which featured John Patitucci and Jack DeJohnette.

Khan next joined the Caribbean Jazz Project for New Horizons in 2000 and Paraiso in 2001. He returned to solo recording in 2006 with The Green Field, again employing DeJohnette and Patitucci, then issued Borrowed Time the next year. Former Eyewitness colleagues Anthony Jackson, Dennis Chambers, and Manolo Badrena appeared on 2011's Parting Shot, followed in 2014 by the salsa-infused Subtext. Backlog arrived in 2016 and included appearances by longtime associates Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Mike Mainieri, and others.