The trio has performed throughout the Tri-State (OH, KY, and WV) at clubs and regional festivals including: MU Winter Jazz Fest, Jazz MU Tazz, Taste of Charleston, Tri-State Multi-Cultural Festival, 6th Annual Taste of the Mountains Wine and Jazz, and the West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival. The Steve Himes New Connection are AFM professionals focused on providing the highest quality musical experience for our clients through our expressive art.
Trio Members include:
Steve Himes, Guitar
Through his efforts to promote his fellow musicians, he has developed a solid reputation for presenting the unique sound that can only come from open interplay. "Himes' writing features all the players, not just himself" wrote John Blisard while critiquing The Connection's second CD, Running Ahead Of Time, for Tamarack: The Best Of West Virginia. Doug Imbrogno of the Charleston (WV) Gazette has called him "one of the classiest jazz guitarists between the Potomac and Mississippi Rivers." But his influences range far and wide as he demonstrates at every show. Although he is self-taught, he credits "everyone I ever heard play" as a teacher. Jim McCutcheon of radio station WDPR (Dayton, OH) wrote: "He is certainly a solid, versatile player."Whether performing by himself or with any conceivable combination of musicians, Steve Himes presents a unique style of playing which easily adapts to any situation. Such versatility has delighted audiences in clubs, theaters, restaurants and concerts for many years. He leaves an indelible mark on listeners with expressive ballads, solid funky grooves, unrestrained riffs, smooth vocals and a generous helping of zaniness.
Cliff Riley, drums: With 30+ years of experience, Cliff Riley has appeared with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Don Ellis,The Diamonds,The Sound Express, Janna Parsley Project, The Zanter Trio, and a variety of other jazz groups locally including the Jazz Syndicate. Mr. Riley, an active teacher, is a member of PDT (Vic Firth educational team), Percussion Arts Society (PAS), International Association for Jazz Education( Vice President/ President elect West Virginia Chapter), and a Zildjian endorser (ZAP).
Chris Allen, a recording and gigging musician for the past 15 years in the tri-state area has embarked on a new musical journey with the Steve Himes New Connection. Many of you have seen him holding down the bass chair with the Bob Thompson Unit, but he has also appeared with Crazy Jane, the Zanter Trio, the Adrenaline Soaked Freak Tent, and has shared the stage with Ann Magnason, and Fontella Bass of Motown renown. Known for his expressive, virtuosic playing style.
