Listen on SpotifyFollow on Instagram

Stephen Ulrich

Crime Jazz Composer

NYC guitarist and composer blending noir film scores with jazz, blues, and Americana through his trio Big Lazy.

jazznoirAmericanainstrumentalcrime jazz

About

Stephen Ulrich is a New York-based guitarist and composer who has led the instrumental trio Big Lazy for over two decades. He studied music with jazz legend Sal Salvador at the Ed Sullivan Theatre and graduated from the Institute of Architecture and Urban Studies in 1981. Ulrich is known for composing scores for HBO's Bored to Death and the documentary Art and Craft, and was commissioned to compose 30 pieces for NPR's This American Life.

Music Style

Ulrich's music blends noir and pastoral elements with cinematic sweep, combining jazz dexterity with rock aggression. His guitar work features reverb-heavy tones and twang, drawing from blues, country, surf, and rockabilly archetypes.

Background

Hometown
New York, USA
Instruments
guitar
Active
1980s-present

Similar Artists

If you like Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot — you'll love this artist

Bill Frisell
Both are jazz guitarists known for cinematic, experimental approaches blending multiple genres
85%
Marc Ribot
NYC-based guitarist who collaborated with Ulrich; shares experimental jazz and avant-garde sensibilities
90%
Ry Cooder
Similar use of vintage guitar tones and Americana themes in instrumental compositions
75%

Notable Collaborations

Marc RibotSteven BernsteinPeter HessTamir MuskatItamar ZieglerDean SharenowThomas Bartlett
Loading reviews...

Past Events

Big Lazy

Bar LunAtico

Guitar • Headliner

Jan 29