Steve Gilmore (musician)

Steven Dirk Gilmore (born January 21, 1943, Trenton, New Jersey) is an American jazz double-bassist raised in the Philadelphia area.

Steve Gilmore performing at the Jazz By The Bay Festival, Panama City, FL, November, 2022.

Career edit

Steve picked up bass when he was 12 years old and played locally in Philadelphia as a teenager. At age 17 he enrolled at the Advanced School of Contemporary Music, run by Oscar Peterson, and later in the 1960s played with Ira Sullivan and the Baker's Dozen Big Band. He joined Flip Phillips's group in 1967 and remained with Phillips until 1971, after which he worked with Al Cohn and Zoot Sims, Mose Allison, The Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra, Phil Woods, Richie Cole, and the National Jazz Ensemble.

In the 1980s he played with John Coates Jr., Meredith D'Ambrosio, Dave Frishberg, Hal Galper, Tom Harrell, and Toshiko Akiyoshi, as well as with Phil Woods. He and Woods would remain collaborators into the 1990s. In 1988 he began working with Dave Liebman, with whom he would work intermittently through the late 1990s. Other associations in the 1990s included Tony Bennett, Carol Sloane, Susannah McCorkle, Bill Charlap, and Jim Hall. In 2000, he played with Lee Konitz in a group including Peter Bernstein, Mark Turner, Bill Goodwin

As Band Leader
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1993 I'm All Smiles Jazzmania Steve Brown, Guitar; Chris Persad, trumpet; Brain Lynch, trumpet.
1993 Silhouette Jazzmania Steve Gilmore - bass; Ted Rosenthal - piano; Steve Brown - guitar; Jimmy Madison - drums; Brian Lynch - flugelhorn trumpet; Mark Kirk - alto saxophone.
1996 Reflections in the Night Jazzmania Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Charlap - piano.
With Phil Woods
Year recorded Title Label Notes Grammy (* = Won)
1976 The Phil Woods Six: "Live" from the Showboat RCA Phil Woods - alto/soprano saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Harry Leahey - guitar; Alyrio Lima - percussion; Mike Melillo - piano. Best Live Performance, Soloist; *Best Live Performance, Group
1977 The Phil Woods Quintet: Song for Sysyphus Century Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Harry Leahey - guitar; Mike Melillo - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums. Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group
1978 Phil Woods / I Remember Gryphon Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Mike Melillo - piano; Bill Goodwin - drums; Kenny Wheeler - trumpet; Gordon Beck - piano; Dave Horler - trombone; and elements of the London Symphony conducted by Harry Rabinowitz M.B.E.
1978 The Phil Woods Quartet: 'More' Live Adelphi Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Mike Melillo - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums. *Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group
1979 The Phil Woods Quartet: Volume One Clean Cuts Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Mike Melillo - piano; Bill Goodwin - drums. Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group; Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist
1981 Phil Woods Quartet: Birds of a Feather Antilles Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Hal Galper - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1982 The Phil Woods Quartet: Live From New York Palo Alto Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Hal Galper - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1982 The Phil Woods Quartet - At the Vanguard Antilles Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Hal Galper - piano; Bill Goodwin - drums. *Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group; Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist
1984 Phil Woods & Chris Swansen - Piper at the Gates of Dawn Sea Breeze Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Hal Galpers - piano; Chris Swansen - synthesizer; Steve Gilmore - bass; Hal Galper - piano; Bill Goodwin - drums, Kim Parker - vocals. Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group
1984 Integrity - The New Phil Quintet Woods Live Red Records Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Tom Harrell - trumpet.
1984 Heaven - Phil Woods Quintet Blackhawk Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Tom Harrell - trumpet.
1986 Gratitude: Phil Woods Quintet Denon Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Tom Harrell - trumpet.
1986 Dizzy Gillespie Meets the Phil Woods Quintet Timeless Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Dizzy Gillespie - trumpet; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Tom Harrell - trumpet.
1987 Bop Stew Concord Jazz Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Tom Harrell - trumpet.
1987 Bouquet Concord Jazz Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Tom Harrell - trumpet.
1988 Evolution: Phil Woods Little Big Band Concord Jazz Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Tom Harrell - trumpet; Hal Crook - trombone; Nick Brignola - Baritone; Nelson Hill - tenor saxophone.
1989 Flash: Phil Woods Quintet + One Concord Jazz Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Hal Galper - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Crook - trombone; Tom Harrell - flugelhorn, trumpet.
1990 All Bird's Children: Phil Woods Quintet Concord Jazz Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Hal Crook - trombone. Best Jazz Instrumental, Soloist
1990 Real Life: Phil Woods' Little Big Band Chesky Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Bill Goodwin - drums; Jim McNeely - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Hal Crook - trombone; Tom Harrell - trumpet; Nick Brignola - alto/baritone saxophone; Nelson Hill - alto/tenor saxophone.
1991 Full House: Phil Woods Quintet Milestones Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Hal Crook - trombone.
1993 You and the Night and the Music: Phil Woods Quintet Venus Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Hal Crook - trombone.
1994 / 1997 (Recorded / Released1994) Souvenirs: Phil Woods Quintet Venus Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Hal Crook - trombone.
1995 Phil Woods Plays the Music of Jim McNeely TCB Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Jim McNeely- piano; Brian Lynch - trumpet.
1996 Mile High Jazz: The Phil Woods Quintet - Live in Denver Concord Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Brian Lynch - trumpet; Bill Charlap - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1997 Chasin' the Bird: Phil Woods Venus Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Brian Lynch - trumpet; Bill Charlap - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1997 Phil Woods & the Festival Orchestra - Celebration Concord Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Nelson Hill - alto saxophone, flute; George Young - soprano saxophone, flute; Jim Buckley - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Steve Gilmore - bass; Jim Daniels - bass trombone; Bill Goodwin - drums; Bill Charlap - piano; Lew Delgado - tenor saxophone, clarinet; Tom Hamilton - tenor saxophone, clarinet; Hal Crook - trombone; Keith O'Quinn - trombone; Rick Chamberlain - trombone; Brian Lynch - trumpet; Jan Betz - trumpet; Pat Dorian - trumpet; Ken Brader - trumpet. Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance
2000 Lee Konitz: Parallels Chesky Records Lee Konitz - alto saxophone; Peter Bernstein - guitar; Mark Turner - tenor saxophone; Steve Gimore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
2002 The Thrill is Gone: Phil Woods with Strings Venus Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Brian Lynch - trumpet; Bill Charlap - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
2004 This is How I Feel About Quincy: Phil Woods Jazz Media Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Brian Lynch - trumpet; Bill Charlap - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
2007 American Songbook 2: The Phil Woods Quintet Kind of Blue Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Brian Lynch - trumpet; Bill Charlap - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
2007 Phil Woods: The Children's Suite Jazzed Media Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Vicki Doney & Bob Dorough - vocals; Tom Hamilton - Tenor saxophone & clarinet; Roger Rosenberg - baritone & bass clarinets; Nelson Hill - alto saxophone & flute; Rick Chamberlain - trombone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Eric Doney - piano.
2008 Ballads and Blues: Phil Woods Quintet Venus Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Brian Lynch - trumpet; Bill Charlap - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
2014 Live at the Deerhead Inn: Phil Woods Quintet Deerhead Records Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Brian Lynch - trumpet; Bill Charlap - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
 
Photo - Mark Fischer / Gulf Jazz Society concert, October 4th, 2019, Oaks by the Bay Park, Panama City, FL.
With Thad Jones & Mel Lewis
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1975 Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Orchestra: Suite for Pops Horizon / A&M Jon Faddis, Steve Furtado, Jim Bossy, Lew Soloff, Smoky Young, Marvin Stamm, Virgil Jones, Cecil Bridgewater - trumpet; Jimmy Knepper, Quentin "Butter" Jackson, Billy Campbell, Eddie Bert, Janice Robinson, Earl McEntyre - trombone; Cliff Heather, Jack Jeffers, Dave Taylor - bass trombone; George Mraz, Richard Davis, Steve Gilmore - bass; Jack Jeffers - tuba; Jim Buffington, Peter Gordon, Earl Chapin Julius Watkins, Ray Alonge - french horn; Jerry Dodgion, Eddie Xiques - alto saxophone; Jerry Dodgion - soprano saxophone; Billy Harper, Eddie Daniels, Ron Bridgewater, Frank Foster, Greg Herbert, Lou Marini - tenor saxophone; Pepper Adams - baritone saxophone; Jerry Dodgion, Eddie Xiques, Billy Harper, Eddie Daniels, Ron Bridgewater - flute; Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams, Frank Foster, Ron Bridgewater - clarinet; Eddie Xiques - bass clarinet; Roland Hanna - electric piano; Jon Faddis, Thad Jones Mel Lewis - percussion; Leonard Gibbs - congas; Dee Dee Bridgewater - vocals.
1976 Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Orchestra: New Life Horizon / A&M Grammy Nominated - Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Big Band. Tracks 4 & 5.
With Dave Liebman
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1988 Dave Liebman Plays the Music of Cole Porter Red Records Dave Liebman - soprano saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1991 Classic Ballads: Dave Liebman Candid Records Dave Liebman - saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Vic Juris - guitar.
2005 Neighbors: Dave Liebman and Nancy Reed Vector Disc Dave Leibman - soprano saxophone; Nancy Reed - vocals; Phil Markowitz - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Godwin - drums.
With Al Cohn
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1979 Al Cohn: No Problem Xanadu Al Cohn - tenor saxophone; Barry Harris - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Walter Bolden - drums.
1986 In Concert at East Stroudsburg University IAJRC Al Cohn - tenor saxophone; Harry Leahey - guitar; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
With Ritchie Cole
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1975 Trenton Makes the World Takes Progressive Ritchie Cole -alto saxophone; Gerald Price - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Al Jackson - drums.
1977 Alto Madness Muse Ritchie Cole -alto saxophone; Harold Maburn - piano; Vic Juris - guitar; Steve Gilmore - Bass; Eddie Jefferson - vocals.
With Dave Frishberg
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1981 The Dave Frisherg Songbook Volume No. 1 Omnisound Dave Frishberg - piano, vocals; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1982 The Dave Frisherg Songbook Volume No. 2 Omnisound Dave Frishberg - piano, vocals; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
With Steve Brown
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1983 Steve Brown - "Good Lines" Cafe Records Steve Brown - guitar; Bill Dobbins - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1987 Child's Play - Steve Brown & Friends Cafe Records Steve Brown - guitar; Bill Dobbins - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
With Bob Dorough
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1999 Bob Dorough - Too Much Coffee Man Blue Note Bob Dorough - piano, vocals; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Ken Brader - trumpet; Richard Chamberlain - trombone; Joe Cohn - guitar; Hui Cox - guitar; Jim Daniels - bass trombone; Ray Drummond - bass; Jamey Haddad - drums; Billy Hart - drums; Mark Holen - percussion; Craig Kastenlnik - organ; Tony Marino - bass, stick bass; Phil Woods - alto saxophone.
2004 Sunday at Iridium Arbors Jazz Bob Dorough - piano, vocals; Steve Berger - guitar; Steve Gilmore - bass; Ed Ornowski - drums; Joe Wilder - trumpet Daryl Sherman - piano, vocals; Laura Amico & Roslyn Hart - vocals.
With Stephanie Nakasian
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1992 Bitter Sweet Jazzmania Stephanie Nakasian - vocals; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Vic Juris - guitar.
2002 Lullaby In Rhythm: A Tribute to June Christy VSOP Stephanie Nakasian - vocals; Harry Allen - tenor saxophone; Hod O'brien - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; John Jensen - trombone; Larry Eanet - piano; Chuck Riggs - drums.
2004 Stephanie Nakasian "Thrush Hour" A Study of the Great Ladies of Jazz VSOP Stephanie Nakasian - vocals; Hod O'brien - piano; Randy Sandke - trumpet; Tom Hamilton - tenor saxophone; John Jensen - trombone; Howie Collins - guitar; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
With Susannah McCorkle
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1995 Easy to Love - The Songs of Cole Porter Concord Susannah McCorkle - vocals; Allen Farnham - piano; Randy Sandke - trumpet; Steve Gilmore - bass; Chris Potter - alto saxophone; Robert Trowers - trombone; Ken Peplowski - tenor saxophone, clarinet; Howard Alden - guitar.
1996 Let's Face the Music - The Songs of Irving Berlin Concord Susannah McCorkle - vocals; Jerry Dodgion - alto saxophone, flute; Steve Gilmore - bass; Rich DeRosa - drums; Al Gafa - guitar; Allen Farnham - piano, synthesizer; Chris Potter - tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute; Conrad Herwig - trombone; Gregory Gisbert - trumpet, flugelhorn.
1997 Someone to Watch Over Me - The Songs of George Gershwin Concord Susannah McCorkle - vocals; Chris Potter - tenor saxophone, alto flute; Steve Gilmore - bass (guest); Rich DeRosa - drums; Allen Farnham - piano, synthesizer; Conrad Herwig - trombone; Randy Sandke - trumpet, flugelhorn; Howard Alden - guitar; Dick Sarpola - bass.
1998 Susannah McCorkle: From Broken Hearts to Blue Skies Concord Susannah McCorkle - vocals; Allen Farnham - piano; John Fedchock - trombone; Alexander Gafa - guitar; Steve Gilmore - bass; Greg Gisbert - flugelhorn, trumpet; John Gordon - flute, alto saxophone, Dick Oatts - Alto Flute, soprano & tenor saxophones.
2000 Hearts and Minds Concord Susannah McCorkle - vocals; Allen Farnham - piano; Paul Meyers - guitar; Dick Oatts - tenor sax; Steve Gilmore - bass; Thiago Di Mello - percussion; Vanderlei Pereira drums.
With Jimmy Amadie
Year recorded Title Label Notes
1997 - 2002 In a Trio Setting: A Salute to Sinatra TP Recordings Jimmy Amadie - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
2004 - 2005 Let's Groove TP Recordings Jimmy Amadie - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Phil Woods - alto saxophone.
2006 - 2007 The Philadelphia Story TP Recordings Jimmy Amadie - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Randy Brecker - flugelhorn, trumpet; Benny Golson - tenor saxophone; Lew Tabackin - flute tenor saxophone.
2007 Live at Red Rock Studio: A Tribute to Tony Bennett TP Recordings Jimmy Amadie - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Phil Woods (guest) - alto saxophone.
2010 Kindred Spirits TP Recordings Jimmy Amadie - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Joe Lavan - saxophone; Lee Konitz - alto saxophone; Lee Tabackin - tenor saxophone.
With Eddie Higgins Quartet featuring Scott Hamilton
Year recorded Title Label Notes
2001 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: Eddie Higgins Quartet featuring Scott Hamilton Venus Eddie Higgins - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Scott Hamilton - tenor saxophone.
2002 My Foolish Heart: Eddie Higgins Quartet featuring Scott Hamilton Venus Eddie Higgins - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Scott Hamilton - tenor saxophone.
With Various Other Artists
Year recorded Title Label Notes
2001 Lee Konitz: Parallels Chesky Lee Konitz - alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Peter Bernstein - guitar; Mark Turner - tenor saxophone.
2009 Bob Lark: Live at the Jazz Showcase Bob Lark - flugelhorn; Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Jim McNeely - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1994 Carol Sloane: When I Look Into Your Eyes Concord Carol Sloane - vocals; Howard Alden - guitar; Bill Charlap - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Ron Vincent - drums.
1993 Playin' in the Yard: The Bob Kindred Quartet JazzMania Bob Kindred - tenor saxophone; Gene Bertoncini - guitar; Steve Gilmore - bass; John Kaye - drums.
1993 Lavender Mist: The Mark Kirk Jazz Quartet JazzMania Mark Kirk - alto & soprano saxophones; Kenny Barron - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Keith Copeland - drums.
1986 Putte Whitman & the Hal Galper Trio: Miss Oidipus Dragon Putte Wickman - clarinet; Hal Galper - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1992 The Dick Whittington Trio: with Steve Gilmore and Bill Goodman in New York Concord Dick Whittington - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin. - drums.
1990 Little Jazz Bird: Meredith D'Ambrosio Sunnyside Meredith D'Ambrosio - piano, vocals; Julian Daber - viola; Frederick Buldrini - violin; Steve Gilmore - bass, Bill Goodwin - drums; Hank Jones piano; Gene Orloff - violin; Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone.
1982 Harry Leahey: Silver Threads Omni Sound Jazz Harry Leahey - guitar; Steve Gilmore - bass.
1980 Chuck Marohnic Quartet: Copenhagen Suite Steeple Chase Chuck Marohnic - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Bennie Wallace - tenor saxophone.
1980 Harumi Kaneko: I Love New York Philips Harumi Kaneko - vocals; Ron Carter - bass; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Grady Tate - drums; Harry Leahey - guitar; Armen Halburian - percussion; Hank Jones - piano; Bob Dorough - vocals; George Young - alto & tenor saxophones.
1981 Bill Goodwin: Solar Energy Omni Sound Jazz Bill Goodwin - drums; Steve Gilmore - bass; John Scofield - guitar; Steve Swallow - bass; Bill Dobbins - piano.
1986 Tom Harrell Quintet: Open Air SteepleChase Tom Harrell - trumpet; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Hal Galper - piano; Bob Rockwell - saxophone.
1987 Hal Galper: Dreamsville Enja Hal Galpers - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin- drums.
1993 Hod O'Brien: Hod and Cole Enja Hod O'Brien - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin- drums.
2003 Mike Melvoin: It's Always You City Light Michael Melvoin - piano; Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
2004 Gerry Niewood: Facets Native Language Gerry Niewood - flute, alto flute, alto, tenor & baritone saxophones; Gene Bertoncini - guitar; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
2003 David Basse: Like Jazz featuring Phil Woods City Light David Basse - Vocals; Michael Melvoin - piano; Phil Woods - clarinet, alto saxophone; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums.
1976 Chuck Israels: National Jazz Ensemble Vol. 2 Chiaroscuro Records Jimmy Maxwell, Mike Lawrence, Tom Harrell, David Berger - trumpet; Jimmy Knepper, Rod Levitt, Gerry Chamberlain - trombone; Arnie Lawrence, Lawrence Feldman, Joe Romano, Dennis Anderson, Ken Berger - saxophone; Steve Brown - guitar; Ben Aronov - piano; Steve Gilmore - bass; Bill Goodwin - drums; Margot Hanson vocals.

References