THE STEVE SCHELLAR JAZZ TRIO
Steve Scheller's Biography Steve Scheller was born in Milwaukee, WI. While attending college at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), Steve met New York Guitarist Mark Kondrackie (http://www.outloudaudio.com) After studying with him for a year, Steve began to play in local Madison bands. After a time in funk band Open Mind, Steve founded The Crayons along with drummer Billy Aman. later recruiting Shawn Peters as bassist. Shawn's father had been Blues Hall of Famer Buddy Guy's (http://www.buddyguy.net) bassist, and both Steve and the band were often complemented for Buddy's obvious influence. The Crayons had an eclectic though consistent sound that had elements of funk, ska, blues, jazz and alternative rock. They had 3 albums together and a fourth uncovered rarity that are available for purchase through this web site. (Our Online Store) The band was noted for a full sound that was greater than the sum of its 3 parts. After moving to Minneapolis in 1995, Steve played guitar with Wooddale Church (http://www.wooddale.org) , the Swingin' Tunas, and in 1996 began playing guitar with Minneapolis rock band Under The Son. Here he met Art Keith, with whom he formed the blues rock band Dr Tone & The Rhythm Thang. The band often performed in many Twin Cities venues and clubs. Dr Tone recorded 2 CDs (for sale on this web site) and received notoriety as a top blues band in Minneapolis/St Paul. The early days of the band featured Steve on guitars, keyboards, lead vocals and bass. After recruiting top flight drummer John Geerdes, vocalist Annette Grant, and bassist Joel Boelke, Steve focused on lead guitar in a sound that many described as Sarah Vaughan meets Stevie Ray Vaughan. Many who heard Annette were amazed with her ability to outperform jazz greats such as Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, while Art and Steve served up great blues solos over a rock solid rhythm section. Following the amicable sabbatical of Dr Tone in 2003, Steve turned his focus towards jazz, studying the lessons and material of Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Bruno, Bruce Buckingham, Micky Baker, and Jack Grassell. Steve also began to perform with saxophonist Dave Ewert. In 2006 while in Indiana, Steve stumbled into a local music store where a sales person heard him playing some jazz lines. Frustrated that most of his clientele were kids that could not appreciate what he was about to show Steve, the sales person returned from the back room holding one of Wes Montgomery's original Gibson Guitars. He asked Steve to play it, and he obliged playing 'Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk. Following this encounter, Steve had the privilege of meeting Pat Martino (http://www.patmartino.com) between sets at a Minneapolis club, a true thrill. Pat was touring in tribute to Wes, and Steve was able to show him the picture of Wes' guitar as well as suggest where he could see it for himself. Pat was down to Earth and suggested the two get together to talk again. The Steve Scheller Trio recorded Standards 70907 in July 2007 in Minneapolis just before Steve moved to Colorado Springs, home of Jazz guitar great Johnny Smith. The album features Dr Tone alumni John Geerdes on drums, and T.C. Brooks on bass. A wonderful collection of Jazz favorites, Standards 70907 sets the mood with great playing and great songs that will wow any music fan-jazz or not. Steve plays guitar and utilizes a guitar synthesizer, performing Hammond B3 solos as well as lending some saxophone sounds. Since 2003, Steve has performed live both solo and with other artists. Steve is known for his ability to layer multiple parts using guitar synthesis and sampling technology, often sounding like a one-man band. He now focuses on the Colorado Springs/Denver area, while making regular touring stops in Minneapolis (Sept/Oct) , Milwaukee (July), and Indianapolis (July) and anywhere in between. Steve teaches guitar and ensembles at The Broadmoor Academy of Music in Colorado Springs.
Location:
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Travel Radius:
Will travel up to 3000 miles from Colorado Springs.
Pay Range:
$400-$4000 per event
Member Since:
2008
Primary Category:
Jazz Band
Genre:
Blues, Funk, Fusion, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Swing
Influences:
Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, George Benson, Pat Martino, Johnny Smith, Mickey baker, Bruce Buckingham, Jimmy Bruno. Pat Methany, Dave Brubeck.
Group Members
* Steve Scheller - Guitar/Guitar Synth/Bass
* David Patrick - bass
* Luther Johnson -
* Bernie Muth -
* Kevin Tebron -
Description
The Steve Scheller Group is the perfect entertainment solution for your next event, dinner, club gig, concert, party, wedding, or corporate gathering. From a one man band to a large ensemble, we have the right music for your event.
Steve's music has taken him to Manhatten, St Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Colorado, and even Africa. Steve has performed with Count Basie vocalist Jamie Davis, David Amran, and has had the opportunity to study personally with Frank Gambale, Jack Grassell, and Brad Leali.
Steve Scheller plays guitar and guitar synthesizer, playing bebop lines in the style of Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell, but all of a sudden will conjure trumpet and Hammond Organ sounds from his guitar synthesizer. Steve plays with top-notch side men on bass, drums, and saxophone as needed for your event.
Jazz is music that people of all ages and backgrounds love. We are well-suited to perform unobtrusive dinner or conversational music, or music people will dance to. We will help you create an atmosphere that encourages your party-goers to relax and have fun.
We can perform indoors and outdoors. We can play to a large room, but we can also play comfortably in smaller settings. Give us a call, or email us, today. We would be happy to discuss how we can meet your specific needs.
Steve can play as a one man band using guitar looping and guitar synthesis, as a guitar-sax duo, or most commonly as a trio or quartet. Larger bands can also play suited for your needs.
Steve also has a network of musicians in Minneapolis that have accompanied him for years for midwest events.
Steve has been playing professionally since 1991, plays gigs nationally and internationally, has recorded 8 CD's, and teaches guitar and ensembles at the Broadmoor Academy of Music. Beginning with rock, blues, ska, and funk, Steve's career progressed into Jazz where he has specialized for the last several years. Steve is also available to fill out your jazz combo on guitar.
Song List
* Four On Six - Wes Montgomery
* Take Five - Dave Brubeck
* This Masquerade - George Benson
* Footprints - Wayne Shorter
* Yardbird Suite - Charlie Parker
* Four - Miles Davis
* Impressions - John Coltrane
* Chitlins Con Carne - Kenny Burrell
* Billie's Bounce - Charlie Parker
* Round Midinght - Thelonious Monk
* Freddie Freeloader - Miles Davis
* Giant Steps - John Coltrane
* St Thomas - Sonny Rollins
* Autumn Leaves - Standard
* Missile Blues - Wes Montgomery
* Blue In Green - Miles Davis
* Blue Trane - John Coltrane
* A Night In Tunisia - Dizzy Gillespie
* Satin Doll - Duke Ellington
* Grooveyard - Carl Perkins
* Light My Fire - The Doors
* Follow Me Up - Phil Keaggy
* Riviera Paradise - Stevie Ray Vaughn
* Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
* Solar - Miles Davis
* West Coast Blues - Wes Montgomery
* Chameleon - Herbie Hancock
* Nardis - Miles Davis
* Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock
* Its Only A Paper Moon - Standard
* Well You Needn't - Thelonious Monk
* Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
* She's Come Undun - The Guess WHo
* My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder
* Straight No Chaser - Thelonious Monk
Available For:
Anniversaries, Apres Ski Parties, Awards Nights, Banquets, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Cruise Ships, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fraternity Functions, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Resorts, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Sorority Function, Studio Session, Temples, TV Soundtracks, Weddings
Feedback
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Interested in some great Jazz? Just check out some samples:
For more information visit schellerjazz.com