For those unaware, Steve Knight traded his skateboard for a Synsonics/JCPenney guitar (with built-in, 9 volt-powered speaker) in the early 90s, much to the delight of his mother.

At Emporia State University, he split his time between the theatre department and the music department, playing in pit orchestras, the big band, and the faculty combo, all the while teaching guitar at ESU Academy and Flint Hills Music.

Steve’s first step into the professional jazz world came in the living room of noted jazz pedagogue, author, and guitarist Dr. Wayne Goins at Kansas State University.

Steve moved to Chicago in the spring of 2016 and began teaching and playing full time, further refining his craft with the help of local jazz heavies Scott Hesse, Jim Trompeter, Ernie Adams, and Henry Johnson.

His debut album, Persistence, released in 2022 to rave reviews, including 4 Stars in Downbeat and inclusion on their ‘Albums of the Year’ list. His brand new recording, For Years Gone, is releasing April 11th, 2025 via Steven Walker Knight Music.

1. Lure
2. Pure Imagination
3. Cracklin’
4. Colossus
5. For Years Gone
6. Kothbiro
7. Something
8. Urge for Going
9. 7 Come 11
10. In a Sentimental Mood

This expertly sculpted and wholly impassioned new recording opens on the slickly polished Lure and the sheer elegance of Pure Imagination and then we get a warmly enraptured Cracklin’, the confidently sculpted Colossus and then comes the laid back, effortlessly sumptuous title track For Years Gone.

Along next is the debonair-strewn Kothbiro which is in turn backed seamlessly by the luxuriant Something, the serenely melodic Urge for Going, the music rounding out on the playful 7 Come 11, closing on the fervently joyful In a Sentimental Mood.

Musicians:
Guitar - Steve Knight
Bass - Justin Peterson
Drums - Linard Stroud
Recording - Ken Christianson

Official Purchase Link

Official Website