Originally from eastern Washington, Steven has spent the greater part of his life making music in a variety of genres and venues throughout the United States. His sound has been hailed as fearless and evocative. He has performed with numerous artists including Chris Potter, Bill Watrous, Hal Galper, Christian McBride, and Louis Bonilla and been invited to perform in China, Colombia, and Europe. Steven has toured internationally with groups including In 6ix and Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. Equally comfortable as a leader or a sideman, Steven brings a spirit of collaboration and generosity to his artistic endeavors.
Steven has pursued studies at Eastern Washington University and the University of North Texas in performance, jazz studies, and music theory which culminated in a dissertation on the free improvisation of Dave Holland and Sam Rivers on the 1976 album Holland/Rivers Volume 1. This research focused on a sampling of ways Holland and Rivers interact in the domains of melody, harmony, form, and energy. His research interests also include using applications of schema theory for analysis of improvised music with the purpose of generating pedagogical perspectives that respect the jazz tradition and incorporate a cognitive approach.
Steven is currently Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensemble at Simpson College. He has worked at Eastern Washington University, Marshall University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, University of Evansville, and the University of North Texas where he has taught subjects including applied bass, jazz theory/improvisation, jazz ensembles, and music theory/aural skills courses.