Keyboardist Steve Rice is equally at home on the piano, digital keyboard, organ, and accordion. He grew up in upstate New York, and is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he was winner of the "Oscar Peterson Award." Steve moved to Seattle in 1986 and, as a highly regarded jazz pianist, has performed extensively throughout the Northwest United States. Steve currently tours internationally as pianist with the Harry James Orchestra. His interest in world music as a vehicle for jazz improvisation has resulted in performances and recordings with world music luminaries including Chassidic guitarist Yossi Piamenta, French electropop composer Jean Jaques Perrey, and Bollywood pop superstar Chandana Dixit
Influences
Steve Rice select discography/reviews
These CD's are some projects I've had a lot of fun working on. In parentheses are the instruments I played on each album.
DANIEL BARRY
"Walk All Ways" (accordion) -
Videos "Accordionist Steve Rice exhibits a kind of improvisational risk-taking not usually associated with his instrument. His uninhibited, engaging solo on “Fuga Bembe” is both lyrical and ethereal." - John Barron, All About Jazz
""La Folia Lando" is a bittersweet lament..... Rice's solo here is one of the highlights of the disc – he's not afraid of a little floating dissonance or a few flourishes a la Guy Klucevsek." - Bill Barton/CODA
JANELL ROCK
"Quiet Thrill" (piano, accordion) "Pianist Steve Rice shines in a passionate blues solo in 'I Can't Resist.' " - Jessica Davis/
Seattle Gay News
SHAWN'S KUGEL
"Most Precious Of Days" (piano, accordion, synthesizer) "..a jazzy, Latinized version of the Hasidic staple, "Yismekhu," with a great piano improvisation by Steve Rice.." - Seth Rogovoy/berkshireweb.com
SHAWN'S KUGEL
"Simcha" (piano, accordion, keyboard) ." Steve Rice makes a good case for
the accordian as a classical woodwind on "Freylakh for Sasha," Paul Wieder/
JUF News-Chicago
Here's a clip of a musette waltz "La Sorciere" performed with
"Rouge"
Sounds Like
one more for ya - here's a youtube video of my zydeco band "BIG SQUEEZY" that popped up right after our "Louisianathon" gig - it's our zydeco style cover of James Brown's "I Got You"
Steve Rice is a creative and versatile performer and composer based out of Seattle, Washington. In addition to solo performances, Steve tours regionally and internationally with several groups, including
"Rouge", specializing in French Cafe and Cabaret Music, "Shawn's Kugel", a creative and highly original Klezmer/Jazz ensemble, and the reknowned "Harry James Orchestra" under the direction of
Fred Radke .
Steve is highly regarded as a creative and accomplished pianist, accordionist, and multi-keyboardist.
Steve is available for private parties, recording sessions, and sideman gigs.
Sounding real good there Steve! Many thanks for the Add-On, greetings from Times Square NYC. Keep making the excellent music and tradition of Accordion! c u in a minute, Jon http://ascap. com/network/audioportraits/jon_hammond_ndr/ *Member AFM Local 802, Local 6 / ASCAP Publisher "The FINGERS...are The SINGERS!"™
Thanks for adding me Steve! If you ever have a free night and want to have some fun at a great jam....come to Darren Motamedy's jam on Sunday nites at the Cedarwood in Milton. Christina :)
BRIAN BENDER & THE WORLD BEATNIKS - "Urban Jungle" Original Reggae, Funk, Afrobeat, Calypso, Samba, Second Line compositions.
With special guests: Eric Krasno (Soulive, Lettuce) Adam Deitch (John Scofield, Lettuce) Charles Neville (Neville Brothers) Jose Gonzalez (Bando Criollo)
BRIAN BENDER & LITTLE SHOP OF HORAS- "Eyn Velt" Original and traditional Jewish melodies blended with Latin, Caribbean, African and Middle Eastern rhythms.
With special guests: Frank London (Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave) Alicia Svigals (Klezmatics, Mikveh) Stuart Brotman (Brave Old World) Charles Neville (Neville Brothers) Grant Smith (Klezmer Conservatory Band) Raquy Danziger (Raquy & The Cavemen) Backa Niang (Gokhi-Bi System)
GREAT show last night my boy. You were on FIRE!!! Don't know what the thing was with you, Rachel and Marty but it was magical. I think it would be a lot of fun to have you, Rachel and Ed Littlefield together - do you know him?
MyHotComments / HotFreeLayouts
Steve, thanks for finding me and for
your fine music. looks like we a both
at SAM on Sat. I will be at the Tiple
Door when you play but I will come to
hear you soon, all the best.
Andre
Hi Steve,
Greetings from Bellingham!
I studied with Fred Radke when
I was a kid---what a character!
(I still have a trumpet but don't
play it much any more--switched to
guitar.) Would love to catch your
performance sometime---accordian
is seriously underrated, I love it!
Cheers,
--Randy
Hi Steve,
It's always a treat to have real friends on myspace! I'm sorry about the confusion in Oct, I really wish I could make the trip. :( Let's stay in touch though, there will be other occasions to partaaay.
Peace from WV,
Rachel
yo steve, good to hear from you! i was just talking about you the other day with dave bryant, this keyboardist who played with ornette's prime time. i was telling him you guys were cut from the same cloth, as it were. when's the Waves of Daves reunion going to be? get douglas on the phone!
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