Cody Steinmann turns up the heat on "Stray Bullet Blues" - Interview
With Stray Bullet Blues, Minneapolis-based guitarist, composer, and educator Cody Steinmann proves once again why he’s one of the most exhilarating players in modern jazz. Across eight instrumental tracks spanning a generous 52 minutes, Steinmann brings his signature fusion of jazz and rock into sharper, harder focus, leaning into a bolder, electrified sound that brims with urgency and energy. The result is an album that feels both virtuosic and visceral and one that we are looooving.
Known for his genre-defying approach and technical precision, Steinmann has never been content to sit within neat boundaries. On this record, he stretches out more than ever, weaving intricate guitar lines with moments of raw, almost reckless abandon. It’s a dynamic contrast that makes Stray Bullet Blues feel alive, as though the music itself is breathing, shifting, and responding in real time. His guitar shreds and soars but also whispers in delicate passages, carrying an emotional weight that lingers long after the final notes fade.
The album’s atmosphere is elevated by the contributions of JD Allen and Solomon Parham, who appear on select tracks throughout. Their voices add new dimensions, filling out Steinmann’s sonic universe with bursts of melodic firepower and soulful counterpoint. Combined with the powerful drumming and tight rhythm work anchoring the sessions, these collaborations transform the record into something greater than a guitar showcase, it’s a conversation, a gathering of masters pushing each other forward.
In our interview with Steinmann, he described the meaning of the record based on a horrendous personal experience of a bullet coming through his apartment somewhat recently. Speaking about it in-depth, it was obviously a traumatic experience, and considering the more emotional sound of this record, he manages to speak volumes through these instrumentals.
What makes Stray Bullet Blues so compelling is not just the technical mastery, though that is undeniable, but the emotional resonance at its core. This isn’t music meant only to impress; it’s music meant to move. The euphoric peaks, the searing guitar tones, the moments of restraint that make the louder ones hit harder, all of it adds up to a record that is immersive and unforgettable. Whether you’re cruising down the highway, need a jolt of energy in your life, or need to release something serious, this one’s for you.
With Stray Bullet Blues, Steinmann has delivered not only his hardest-hitting release to date but also one of his most complete artistic statements. It’s a thrilling listen from start to finish, the kind of record that reaffirms the vitality of jazz while blasting open the doors to new possibilities.
We urge you all to check out our conversation, but shortly after to give this record a spin as soon as you can. Follow along to stay up to date with the latest!
Listen to “Stray Bullet Blues”
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