Okonski
Okonski is an American instrumental jazz trio led by pianist and composer Steve Okonski, alongside bassist Michael Montgomery and drummer Aaron Frazer. Closely associated with the contemporary soul and jazz revival surrounding Colemine Records, the group explores a distinctive musical territory between spiritual jazz, modal jazz, ambient music, cinematic soundscapes, and improvisation. Characterized by delicate piano melodies, warm acoustic textures, and an intimate sense of space, their music draws inspiration from the contemplative traditions of jazz while embracing a modern, atmospheric sensibility.
The project emerged from the musical relationship between Steve Okonski and Aaron Frazer, both members of the acclaimed soul group Durand Jones & The Indications. While their work with the band focused on rhythm and blues, vintage soul, and carefully arranged songwriting, Okonski offered an opportunity to explore a more spontaneous and introspective form of musical expression. Together with bassist Michael Montgomery, they developed an approach centered on collective improvisation, allowing compositions to evolve naturally through the interaction between piano, bass, and drums.
Their debut album, Magnolia, was released in 2023 through Colemine Records. Recorded with an emphasis on live performance and organic interaction, the album introduced a sound influenced by the spiritual and modal jazz traditions of the 1960s and 1970s, alongside the atmospheric qualities of contemporary instrumental music. Rather than relying on elaborate arrangements or technical virtuosity, the trio favored understated melodies, subtle rhythmic movement, and the emotional resonance of acoustic instruments. The result was a collection of intimate compositions that move between melancholy, serenity, and quiet optimism.
Throughout Magnolia, Steve Okonski's piano provides the central melodic voice, alternating between sparse, reflective phrases and flowing harmonic progressions. Michael Montgomery's bass contributes warmth and depth, while Aaron Frazer's restrained drumming emphasizes texture and atmosphere rather than rhythmic complexity. Their collective approach creates a sense of openness, with silence and resonance playing an essential role in the music's emotional impact. The album reflects an affinity with artists such as Bill Evans, Ahmad Jamal, and Alice Coltrane, while maintaining a contemporary identity rooted in the trio's own musical experiences.
In 2025, Okonski returned with their second album, Entrance Music, further developing the atmospheric and introspective qualities of their debut. Released through Colemine Records, the record expanded the group's exploration of melodic minimalism, improvisation, and cinematic jazz. Its compositions unfold gradually, combining delicate piano motifs, expressive basslines, and subtle percussion into immersive instrumental landscapes. The album places particular emphasis on mood and emotional continuity, creating music that feels equally suited to attentive listening and quiet reflection.
Across their recordings, Okonski have established a musical identity defined by restraint, sensitivity, and collective interaction. Their compositions draw on the rich heritage of acoustic jazz while incorporating the spacious textures and contemplative atmosphere of ambient and modern instrumental music. Through their relationship with Colemine Records, Steve Okonski, Michael Montgomery, and Aaron Frazer contribute a distinctive voice to the label's expanding catalogue, demonstrating how the traditions of spiritual jazz and piano trio improvisation can be reinterpreted through a contemporary perspective. Okonski ultimately creates music that values emotional depth over technical display, transforming simple melodic ideas into intimate, meditative soundscapes suspended between jazz, soul, and ambient music.
