Steve Okonski announce upcoming four-track EP with colaborations from Cochemea and Terry Cole
I’ll admit, I’ve come to the Okonski party late. I suppose that’s only half true. In some ways, I’ve been following the Steve Okonski’s work for some time now (even if I didn’t know it). I’ll explain:
I’ve been a big fan of the music coming out of Terry Cole and Colemine Records for a longtime. The Ironsides, Leroi Conroy, Parlor Green, Say She She, Scone Cash Players, and more. And while I didn’t know his name at the time, Steve Okonski was working in the background at Colemine Records; playing on various projects from the label. In 2020 Steve joined up with Michael “Ish” Montgomery (on bass) and Aaron Frazer (on drums) to form the trio we know as Okonski today.
It wasn’t until 2023 that I actually appreciated Steve’s music as “Okonski.” This is when I came across their single “Field Museum” from their Magnolia LP. There was no turning back really. From there, I started to look out for new releases (and discover previous releases). There was the Trio Session Demos, and Entrance Music (a sort of mini masterpiece for the genre).
So it was with growing excitement that I was received a couple of their latest singles. The anticipation of an upcoming new release!
The first sinlge, “Easy,” is joined by label boss Terry Cole on Hammond Organ and blends deeply expressive jazz with nuanced improvisation. It’s painterly, emotive, and deep.
For the latest single, “Flying,” the trio is joined by saxophonist Cochemea Gastelum. His soulful tenor lines add a new dimension to the group’s spacious sound. Cochemea brings a warm, expressive voice that complements Okonski’s lyrical piano style and deepens the track’s sense of atmosphere and lift.
Both tracks are taken from a forthcoming four-track digital EP. So have a listen to the new Okonski below, and keep your ears out for what’s to come next.
Okonski – Flying (feat. Cochemea)
Okonski – Easy
Cover photo by Mitch LaGrow
