Steve Berry (musician)

Steve Berry (born 24 August 1957) is a British jazz double bassist, composer and educator.

Steve Berry
Birth nameStephen John Berry
Born (1957-08-24) 24 August 1957 (age 66)
Gosport, England, UK
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, educator
Instrument(s)Double bass, bass guitar, cello
Years active1980s–present

Career edit

Berry developed an interest in jazz during his fine art degree and moved to London in 1979, where he studied with Chris Laurence, Daryl Runswick and Dave Holland.[1] He also undertook postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 1984, he joined the 21-piece jazz orchestra, Loose Tubes and became one of the main composers on their three studio albums and toured all over the World.[2] In 1988, he formed the Steve Berry Trio with Mark Lockheart on saxophones and Pete Fairclough on drums and released the album Trio on the Loose Tubes record label.

He has performed with many internationally recognised jazz musicians, including Scott Hamilton, John Surman, Tal Farlow, Art Farmer, Ian Carr and Lew Tabackin. In the 1990s he became increasingly active in jazz education and was appointed Head of Jazz and Improvisation at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2019.[3] He also teaches at the Chetham's School of Music.[4]

Discography edit

  • Trio (1988)
  • Fortune Heights (2002)
  • In An Ideal World (2016)[5]

With Django Bates

With Loose Tubes

  • Loose Tubes (1985)
  • Delightful Precipice (1986)
  • Open Letter (1988)
  • Dancing on Frith Street (recorded live 1990) (2010)
  • Säd Afrika (recorded live 1990) (2012)

With Mike Westbrook

  • Bar Utopia (1996)

References edit

  1. ^ "Steve Berry Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Steve's crusade to keep jazz alive and jammin'". www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Steve Berry appointed Head of Jazz and Improvisation". www.rncm.ac.uk. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Chetham's Showcase: Performer Profiles, Steve Berry - Double Bass". chethamsshowcase.wordpress.com. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Steve Berry, In An Ideal World". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 7 May 2022.

External links edit