Steve Hunt
Encyclopedia
Steve Hunt is an American jazz pianist and composer who was born in 1958. He has released two studio albums, recorded extensively, and toured the world. He is ranked #39 on the Digital Dream Door list of greatest fusion keyboardists.
in Clute, Texas
. He then attended Berklee College of Music
in Boston
, where he graduated
in 1980. Later, Hunt returned to Berklee, where he is an instructor in the piano department.
While recording and performing in the Boston area with his Berklee contemporaries Randy Roos and Tiger Okoshi
, Hunt also performed with Peter Calo's bands Bellvista, and Thin Ice. During 1985, he toured with fusion drummer Billy Cobham
.
From late 1985 to 1987, he served as musical director for the Jazz Explosion. Here, he led a trio which backed up one or more important artists on tours. The trio consisted of Hunt, bassist Jimmy Earl
, and Victor Jones on drums. The artists included: Gato Barbieri
, Angela Bofill
, Tom Browne, Stanley Clarke
, George Duke
, Kenny G
, Freddy Hubbard, Ramsey Lewis
, Noel Pointer
, Stanley Turrentine
, and the late Phyllis Hyman
. The Jazz Explosion performed in the Kennedy Center
in Washington, the Circle Star Theater
in San Francisco, the Beacon Theatre in New York, the Universal Theater in Los Angeles, and Hammersmith Odeon
in London.
In 1987, Hunt left the Jazz Explosion to go, with Earl and drummer Gerry Brown, on a tour of Europe led by fusion bassist Stanley Clarke
and guitarist Alan Holdsworth. In 1988, he recorded on Clarke's album If This Bass Could Only Talk
, and in 1993, on East River Drive
, where he is credited with helping to compose the song "I'm Home Africa".
From 1987 to 2003, Hunt performed, toured, and recorded as a member of Allan Holdsworth's band. Several of his compositions appear on Holdsworth's albums. On Secrets
(1989), Hunt is credited with composing "Maid Marion", and "Joshua". On Wardenclyffe Tower
(1992), he did "Dodgy Boat". On Hard Hat Area
, he helped to write "Prelude" and "Postlude". On the album Then!
, which was recorded live in Japan, he helped with "Zone I", "Zone II", and "Zone III". Tracks from these albums are included in the compilation The Best of Allan Holdsworth: Against the Clock
In 1997, percussionist Gregg Bendian
recorded on Hunt's album From Your Heart and Soul, which also featured a performance by Holdsworth. This began a relationship in which Hunt recorded on six of Bendian's albums. Four of these, Trio Pianissimo, Myriad, Tribute to Jack Kirby, and Change, are studio albums, and two are part of Bendian's Mahavishnu Project, which is his tribute to John McLaughlin
.
In Chelmsford, MA
, Hunt runs a record company, Spice Rack Records, which is closely associated with The Kitchen Recording Studio. These companies created both Hunt's first album, mentioned above, and in 2007, his second, Live at the PCA. In other releases, Hunt serves not only as producer, arranger, or engineer, but also as a performer. The label has recorded works by: guitarist David Hines (2 albums), his wife, pianist Pamela Hines (5 albums), and bassist Christian Fabian (2 albums). Eight more single releases are by: Auditory Input, Robert Badoglio, Peter Fedele, Isha, Lucas Pickford, Lewis Robinson, Ed Spargo, and Nicole Storm.
Hunt has recorded extensively as a guest artist. An example is Peter Janson's album Beautiful Day, on which Hunt is credited with helping to compose the songs "December Morning Sun", "Dragonfly", and "Beautiful Day".
When he is not busy in The Kitchen, Hunt performs locally and on tour. Occasionally, he also performs in festivals and at conventions.
Music Career
In 1977, Hunt graduated from Brazoswood High SchoolBrazoswood High School
Brazoswood High School is a secondary school located at 302 West Brazoswood in Clute, Texas. It educates grades nine through twelve and is part of the Brazosport Independent School District....
in Clute, Texas
Clute, Texas
Clute is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 10,424. The city gained some fame with the discovery of a fossilized mammoth named Asiel...
. He then attended Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, where he graduated
in 1980. Later, Hunt returned to Berklee, where he is an instructor in the piano department.
While recording and performing in the Boston area with his Berklee contemporaries Randy Roos and Tiger Okoshi
Tiger Okoshi
Toru "Tiger" Okoshi is an American jazz fusion trumpeter. He was born in the Year of the Tiger on March 21 1950, just outside of Osaka , Japan. As a child he was, in fact, devoted to painting as he loves today...
, Hunt also performed with Peter Calo's bands Bellvista, and Thin Ice. During 1985, he toured with fusion drummer Billy Cobham
Billy Cobham
William C. Cobham is a Panamanian American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, who has called Switzerland home since the late 1970s....
.
From late 1985 to 1987, he served as musical director for the Jazz Explosion. Here, he led a trio which backed up one or more important artists on tours. The trio consisted of Hunt, bassist Jimmy Earl
Jimmy Earl
Jimmy Earl is an American jazz musician and composer. He has released two studio albums and recorded extensively. He has toured the world with major artists. He is ranked #22 on the DigitalDreamDoor list of greatest fusion bassists...
, and Victor Jones on drums. The artists included: Gato Barbieri
Gato Barbieri
Leandro Barbieri , better known as Gato Barbieri , is an Argentinean jazz tenor saxophonist and composer who rose to fame during the free jazz movement in the 1960s and from his latin jazz recordings in the 1970s.-Biography:Born to a family of musicians, Barbieri began playing music...
, Angela Bofill
Angela Bofill
Angela Bofill is an American R&B vocalist and songwriter.Bofill was born to a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother; one of the first Latina singers to find success in the R&B market.She performed with Ricardo Marrero & the Group and Dance Theater of Harlem chorus prior to her 1978 debut album,...
, Tom Browne, Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
, George Duke
George Duke
George Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
, Kenny G
Kenny G
Kenneth Bruce Gorelick , better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American, adult contemporary and smooth jazz saxophonist. His fourth album, Duotones, brought him breakthrough success in 1986...
, Freddy Hubbard, Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. is an American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality. Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career.-Biography:...
, Noel Pointer
Noel Pointer
Noel Pointer was an American jazz violinist and record producer.He was nominated for a Grammy award in 1981. Pointer's reputation as an outstanding jazz musician and literary advocate garnered him honorary citizenship in cities across the United States...
, Stanley Turrentine
Stanley Turrentine
Stanley William Turrentine, also known as "Mr. T" or "The Sugar Man", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District into a musical family...
, and the late Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Linda Hyman was an American soul singer and actress.-Early years:Phyllis Hyman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the St. Clair Village, the South Hills section of Pittsburgh...
. The Jazz Explosion performed in the Kennedy Center
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C...
in Washington, the Circle Star Theater
Circle Star Theater
The Circle Star Theater was a performing arts venue in San Carlos, San Mateo County, California). Its name is based on it being a theater in the round, featuring a rotating circular stage with none of its 3,743 seats further than from the stage...
in San Francisco, the Beacon Theatre in New York, the Universal Theater in Los Angeles, and Hammersmith Odeon
Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo is a major entertainment venue located in Hammersmith, London. Designed by Robert Cromie in Art Deco style, it opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema, being re-named the Hammersmith Odeon in 1962...
in London.
In 1987, Hunt left the Jazz Explosion to go, with Earl and drummer Gerry Brown, on a tour of Europe led by fusion bassist Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
and guitarist Alan Holdsworth. In 1988, he recorded on Clarke's album If This Bass Could Only Talk
If This Bass Could Only Talk
If This Bass Could Only Talk is a 1988 album by the American bassplayer Stanley Clarke.-Track listing:#"If This Bass Could Only Talk" – 2:30#"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" – 6:24#"I Want to Play for Ya" – 3:22#"Stories to Tell" – 3:46...
, and in 1993, on East River Drive
East River Drive (album)
East River Drive is a Stanley Clarke album released in 1993.-Track listing:# "Justice's Groove" – 4:06# "Fantasy Love" – 4:37# "Zabadoobeedi- " – 4:35# "East River Drive" – 7:48# "I'm Home Africa" – 5:59...
, where he is credited with helping to compose the song "I'm Home Africa".
From 1987 to 2003, Hunt performed, toured, and recorded as a member of Allan Holdsworth's band. Several of his compositions appear on Holdsworth's albums. On Secrets
Secrets (Allan Holdsworth album)
Secrets is the sixth studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1989 through Intima Records; a remastered edition was reissued in 2008 through Eidolon Efformation.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
(1989), Hunt is credited with composing "Maid Marion", and "Joshua". On Wardenclyffe Tower
Wardenclyffe Tower (album)
-Personnel:*Allan Holdsworth – electric guitar, baritone guitar, SynthAxe, mixing, production*Naomi Star – vocals*Steve Hunt – keyboard *Gordon Beck – keyboard *Chad Wackerman – drums , keyboard...
(1992), he did "Dodgy Boat". On Hard Hat Area
Hard Hat Area
-Personnel:*Allan Holdsworth – electric guitar, SynthAxe, engineering, mixing, production*Steve Hunt – keyboard*Gary Husband – drums*Skúli Sverrisson – bass guitar*Rejean de Grand'Maison – engineering*Gordon Davis – mixing*Bernie Grundman – mastering...
, he helped to write "Prelude" and "Postlude". On the album Then!
Then!
Then! is the second official live album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 2003 through Alternity Records and in 2004 through JMS–Cream Records .-Track listing:-Personnel:...
, which was recorded live in Japan, he helped with "Zone I", "Zone II", and "Zone III". Tracks from these albums are included in the compilation The Best of Allan Holdsworth: Against the Clock
The Best of Allan Holdsworth: Against the Clock
-Disc two:-Personnel:*Allan Holdsworth – electric guitar, SynthAxe, spoken vocals , production*Naomi Star – vocals *Rowanne Mark – vocals *Steve Hunt – keyboard...
In 1997, percussionist Gregg Bendian
Gregg Bendian
Gregg Bendian is a jazz percussionist and composer, primarily a vibraphonist. He was born on July 13, 1963 in Englewood, New Jersey.Bendian studied under Noel DaCosta. He has played and recorded with Nels Cline, Pat Metheny, Derek Bailey, Peter Brötzmann, Steve Hunt, Gary Lucas and Cecil Taylor...
recorded on Hunt's album From Your Heart and Soul, which also featured a performance by Holdsworth. This began a relationship in which Hunt recorded on six of Bendian's albums. Four of these, Trio Pianissimo, Myriad, Tribute to Jack Kirby, and Change, are studio albums, and two are part of Bendian's Mahavishnu Project, which is his tribute to John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin (musician)
John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
.
In Chelmsford, MA
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Chelmsford is a suburban town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts in the Greater Boston area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 33,802. The Census Bureau's 2008 population estimate for the town was 34,409, ranking it 14th in population among the 54 municipalities in...
, Hunt runs a record company, Spice Rack Records, which is closely associated with The Kitchen Recording Studio. These companies created both Hunt's first album, mentioned above, and in 2007, his second, Live at the PCA. In other releases, Hunt serves not only as producer, arranger, or engineer, but also as a performer. The label has recorded works by: guitarist David Hines (2 albums), his wife, pianist Pamela Hines (5 albums), and bassist Christian Fabian (2 albums). Eight more single releases are by: Auditory Input, Robert Badoglio, Peter Fedele, Isha, Lucas Pickford, Lewis Robinson, Ed Spargo, and Nicole Storm.
Hunt has recorded extensively as a guest artist. An example is Peter Janson's album Beautiful Day, on which Hunt is credited with helping to compose the songs "December Morning Sun", "Dragonfly", and "Beautiful Day".
When he is not busy in The Kitchen, Hunt performs locally and on tour. Occasionally, he also performs in festivals and at conventions.
Studio Albums
- From Your Heart and Your Soul (Spice Rack Records) (1997)
- Live at the PCA (Spice Rack Records) (2007)
With Allan Holdsworth
- SecretsSecrets (Allan Holdsworth album)Secrets is the sixth studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1989 through Intima Records; a remastered edition was reissued in 2008 through Eidolon Efformation.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
(Relativity) (1989) - Wardenclyffe TowerWardenclyffe Tower (album)-Personnel:*Allan Holdsworth – electric guitar, baritone guitar, SynthAxe, mixing, production*Naomi Star – vocals*Steve Hunt – keyboard *Gordon Beck – keyboard *Chad Wackerman – drums , keyboard...
(Restless RecordsRestless RecordsRestless Records was started in El Segundo, California in 1981 by Enigma Records and primarly released alternative, metal and punk records. Restless also licensed and released records from Bar/None Records, Metal Blade Records and Mute Records...
) (1992) - Hard Hat AreaHard Hat Area-Personnel:*Allan Holdsworth – electric guitar, SynthAxe, engineering, mixing, production*Steve Hunt – keyboard*Gary Husband – drums*Skúli Sverrisson – bass guitar*Rejean de Grand'Maison – engineering*Gordon Davis – mixing*Bernie Grundman – mastering...
(Relativity) (1994) - Then!Then!Then! is the second official live album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 2003 through Alternity Records and in 2004 through JMS–Cream Records .-Track listing:-Personnel:...
(Alternity) (2004) - The Best of Allan Holdsworth: Against the ClockThe Best of Allan Holdsworth: Against the Clock-Disc two:-Personnel:*Allan Holdsworth – electric guitar, SynthAxe, spoken vocals , production*Naomi Star – vocals *Rowanne Mark – vocals *Steve Hunt – keyboard...
(Alternity) (2005)
With Stanley Clarke
- If This Bass Could Only TalkIf This Bass Could Only TalkIf This Bass Could Only Talk is a 1988 album by the American bassplayer Stanley Clarke.-Track listing:#"If This Bass Could Only Talk" – 2:30#"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" – 6:24#"I Want to Play for Ya" – 3:22#"Stories to Tell" – 3:46...
(CBSCBS RecordsCBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
) (1988) - East River DriveEast River Drive (album)East River Drive is a Stanley Clarke album released in 1993.-Track listing:# "Justice's Groove" – 4:06# "Fantasy Love" – 4:37# "Zabadoobeedi- " – 4:35# "East River Drive" – 7:48# "I'm Home Africa" – 5:59...
(CBSCBS RecordsCBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
) (1993) - Trios: East River Drive/Schooldays/Live at the Greek (SonySony Music EntertainmentSony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
) (2004)
With Gregg Bendian
- Trio Pianissimo (Aggregate Music) (1999)
- Myriad (AtavisticAtavistic RecordsAtavistic Records is an American rock and jazz record label based in Chicago, Illinois, known particularly for its No Wave and free jazz recordings. It has released albums by Glenn Branca, Nels Cline, Lydia Lunch, Peter Brötzmann, various Ken Vandermark projects, Pinetop Seven, Swans, Elliott...
) (2000) - Tribute to Jack Kirby (AtavisticAtavistic RecordsAtavistic Records is an American rock and jazz record label based in Chicago, Illinois, known particularly for its No Wave and free jazz recordings. It has released albums by Glenn Branca, Nels Cline, Lydia Lunch, Peter Brötzmann, various Ken Vandermark projects, Pinetop Seven, Swans, Elliott...
) (2001) - The Mahavishnu Project: Live Bootleg (Aggregate Music) (2002)
- The Mahavishnu Project: Phase 2 (Aggregate Music) (2005)
- Change (Aggregate Music) (2005)
As a performer on releases by Spice Rack Records
- Blown Fuse, Lukas Pickford (2001)
- Nebula, David Hines, (2005)
- Inner Duality, David Hines, (2009)
- Re-Evaluation Time, Roberto Badoglio, (2010)
- Too Much TV, Ed Spargo, (2010)
As a Guest Artist
- Guitar on the Edge, Mark Varney, (Legato) (1992)
- Liquid Smoke, Randy Roos, (NaradaNarada ProductionsNarada is a record label formed 1983 as an independent New Age music label and distributed by MCA Records. Now a fully owned subsidiary of EMI, Narada evolved through an expansion of formats to include music from other styles including world music, jazz, Celtic music, new flamenco, acoustic guitar...
) (1992) - Kinetic Energy, Raz, (NaradaNarada ProductionsNarada is a record label formed 1983 as an independent New Age music label and distributed by MCA Records. Now a fully owned subsidiary of EMI, Narada evolved through an expansion of formats to include music from other styles including world music, jazz, Celtic music, new flamenco, acoustic guitar...
) (1998) - Stay the Same, Joey McIntire, (SonySony Music EntertainmentSony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
) (1999) - Beautiful Day, Peter Janson, (Eastern Woods Music), (2006)
- U - Turn, Sebastiaan Cornelissen, (Abstract Logix) (2009)