Bio

Stephen’s bass journey began in the dawn of the seventies with some of New York’s finest upright instructors. Before escaping the sixth grade, Stephen had already put on his first Rock show for his school entailing promotion, song arrangement, lighting and sound. As time moved on, Stephen’s musical interests expanded to a wide variety of styles and techniques. Before graduating high school his musical accomplishments included 5 years of USDAN Performing Arts Summer Program and 3 years studying and performing with International Jazz Pianist, George Mancini. He performed at multiple New York State jazz and classical festivals holding 1st chair on both upright and bass guitar. Stephen literally performed with every jazz ensemble, orchestra and pit orchestra in his district while in the district. During Stephen’s formal education he led a double life writing and gigging with many rock and fusion projects (it was the 70’s, the age of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Yes as well as Weather Report and Stanley Clarke).

After high school, Stephen studied advanced music theory, marketing, bass guitar, drums / percussion, MIDI programming and piano. He included the study of martial arts for focus and dexterity. In 1981, Stephen had finished 2 years of college and moved on the become a full time performer and recording artist. All through this period of his life, Stephen had a strong interest in the recording arts industry. By 1983 he had built his first studio while still recording, writing, engineering and playing multiple instruments. At the same time Stephen was performing nightly with the who’s who of the rock and roll community. By 1984 Stephen had become the house bass player for the world famous Boogie Hotel Recording Studio (formerly owned by Foghat). He had logged in many hours not only as a bassist but also as a recording engineer watching and learning from some of the industries top producer/engineers such as the late great Bruce Fairbairn.

In 1985 Stephen ventured into a new field, instrument and pro audio retail. For 14 years he managed and was a pro audio consultant in conjunction with opening the first version of Race Production Recordings. From 1983 to the present, Stephen has produced, recorded, written, programmed and of course has played bass for numerous national and international recording artists. Race Productions has grown bigger and better and Stephen’s playing continues to be as amazing and creative as ever.

Stephen is always extremely busy. He is the owner, engineer, producer and musical director of one of Long Island’s hottest up and coming music production houses while still performing as one of New York’s premier bassists. Stephen has also written two guideline programs, one for Bass entitled: Practical Bass Guitar and Beyond and two for Recording entitled: Practical Recording for the New Millennium (for use in his private instruction program only). Stephen has recorded/mixed/mastering and released hundreds of Live CD‘s for local schools, churches and professional performance groups. Stephen also has recorded, written, produced and performed with such artists as; Bakithi Kumalo (bassist with Paul Simon as well as many others), Arabia (formerly Scarecrow, Z records) and Jessie Haynes (Ritchie Blackmore’s Blackmores Night). Presently, Stephen is working on the follow up CD to the Alliance, titled Studio Stigmata, slated for release late 2006, early 2007. He is also working on an article and follow up interview with Nick Webb telling of his adventures in the Abbey Road studios.