Kevin Sun: emotion, technique, and the language of jazz

Today, the Spotlight shines On saxophonist/composer Kevin Sun.

Kevin joined us to discuss, among other things, his dramatic double album from 2023, The Depths of Memory, which was released in two halves: From All This Stillness in July of that year and The Depths in Slow Motion in October of that year.

Kevin’s an intense yet accessible player and composer—and a true working musician. He leads an ensemble most Tuesday nights at Lowlands Bar and appears regularly at Bar Bayeux and Ornithology, all three in Brooklyn, NY.

In the time since we recorded this talk back in January, Kevin has released a new record, a live one, recorded at Lowlands. Fate of the Tenor has him leading a trio which, to my ears, gives more than a passing nod to Joe Henderson’s great 1985 live trio recordings with Ron Carter and Al Foster, State of the Tenor. Even the cover art seems a bit of an homage. The saxophone trio is one of my favorite configurations, and Kevin’s new record is a terrific contribution to the canon.

(all musical excerpts heard in the interview are taken from Kevin Sun's double album The Depths of Memory)

Dig Deeper

• Visit Kevin Sun on kevinsun.com
• Purchase Kevin Sun's music on Qobuz and Bandcamp, or listen on your favorite streaming platform
• Follow Kevin Sun on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), and YouTube
• Fifteen Questions with Kevin Sun
• The Girl From Ipanema – The Story Behind the Song
• Laurie Altman – Composer
• Henry Threadgill: Other Worlds
• Kevin Sun's blog and writings on jazz
• Ethan Iverson's Do the Math
• Success Story: Keith Jarrett and the “Unplayable” Piano
• Dana Saul - Pianist
• Lowlands Bar, Brooklyn
• Bar Bayeux
• Ornithology Jazz Club, Bushwick
• Keyed Up works to keep jazz alive, musicians afloat
• Tim Berne on Bandcamp
• John Zorn live ensemble videos
• Mark Turner: Return to the West
• Vijay Iyer, the Harvard Professor Changing Jazz
• Miles Okazaki - Guitarist
• Steve Lehman - An Artist Embodies an Approach to Music Without Borders
• The Beautiful, Unpredictable Life of Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Kevin Sun Quintet plays Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Riot In Lagos" at Lowlands
• Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
• Cover versions of Ryuichi Sakamoto's theme to Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
• John Cage - 4' 33'' Death Metal Cover by Dead Territory

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