Cody Steinmann has journeyed from the state of Wisconsin to the state of Minnesota in pursuit of his calling to expression at the highest level of musicality. In 2017 I had the pleasure of meeting Cody and learning more about his musical interest, influences, and personal goals. Right away, we struck a chord on some common genres and musicians within the Black American Music canon, ranging from bebop improvisation, progressive harmonic vignettes, the blues, and hiphop/ groove vamps. As time progressed, I began to experience the depth of Cody’s compositional prowess. Performing his music is challenging and uplifting. Cody’s works are very forward and unique.
As I listened to the music and read through each chart, it unveiled deeper meaning. Each song provides a sense of imagery and impressionable aesthetics. It is my intention to communicate these thoughts with genuine clarity and personal perspective.
Hang Gliding:
A song for positivity and elevation. The beginning portion conveys a sense of liftoff on a clear and sunny day. As the song progresses, a sense of landscape and serenity seems to captivate the mind. Later in the melody, it evokes uncertainty as the hang gliding experience provides gusts of wind. This may cause anxiety upon gliding past a mountain. The experience is very hopeful and breathtaking though, and as the song comes to a close, it’s punctuated and direct with syncopated rhythms. Later, this section conveys a sense of plateau and comfort. The very end the selection conveys a sense of descension. Now Hang Gliding has proven to be a positive experience upon landing.
Mixed Signals:
A drum and bass style song with sections of odd meter lines. This song expresses emotional complexity and ambiguity while navigating the repetitive dissonance (argument) and repeating an unsettled nature. This composition is also dramatic, with distorted moments, as if someone were intensively trying to advocate for love.
Coconut Water:
For me, the key of E major has a welcoming and warm timbre. The tempo is easy for meditation. This song alludes to awesome experiences, lived and imagined. A healthy place of peace and serenity where thirsts are refreshed. A place where the water is warm and the sea life is there to enjoy. A safe place where one can have an exotic moment of clarity. A place where the waterfalls minister to your psyche. A place where unwanted distractions can not occur. A place of bliss and tranquility as if you were drinking water straight from the coconut. This song is pleasant and also expresses a sense of etherial relaxation.
Killin Demons:
This song reminds me of pursuing a goal and improving upon one's self. Living a life of positive pursuits and using an internal compass to navigate toward your inner star and access your resilience. A poem comes to mind by an anonymous source when I pledged Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity of spring 92, “Kritical Kondition”, Beta Line. “There’s a special kind of courage a man must have while struggling to make his mark, the courage to do what you have to do while walking alone in the dark. There's a special kind of courage a man must have that divides the boys from the men, the courage to do what you have to do, again, again and again. Does life mean that you always win or that you always be true to yourself, courage marks the man”.
You’ll Find Your Love One Day:
The pursuit of love as it presents an emotional roller coaster. The journey in which one may endeavor upon with the hope of an unswerving sense of loyalty, devotion, respect, camaraderie, and above all, the best lived experience of companionship.
Dismal:
When the world has refused to do what's right, and you feel isolated. For example, when racism and personal bias plagues the mind of many.
- Solomon Parham
credits
released May 30, 2021
Cody Steinmann - Guitar
Joe Strachan - Piano and Rhodes
Graydon Peterson - Bass
Ben Ehrlich - Drums
All Compositions By Cody Steinmann
Recorded live at Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 7, 2020
Engineered by Dave Kunath
Mixed and Mastered by Jason Mcglone at The Hideaway Studios
Cody Steinmann has been performing and teaching for over 10 years. An outstanding improviser, Cody has become a fixture on
the Twin Cities Jazz scene where he has performed with many world class artists. Recently, Cody was a featured artist alongside Grammy award winning bass player Ben Williams, known for his work with Pat Metheny Unity Band, on Solomon Parham’s 2022 release Forward....more
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