Biography
This is a hot group consisting of Steve Hobbs/vibes, Bill O’Connell/piano, Peter Washington/bass and John Riley/drums. This same group released a recording titled “Spring Cycle” in 2005 that was nominated Jazz Recording of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association of America.
Steve Hobbs' career began at age 7 playing hand drums. He started trumpet and drumset at age 11. At 17, he switched to vibes and from here things only went up. Steve attended Berklee College of Music, where he received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance in 1978. He continued his education by receiving a Master of Music in Jazz Mallet Performance in 1982 from the University of Miami.
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Throughout the years, Steve Hobbs has performed concerts and in jazz clubs in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. He has been a headliner at many Jazz festivals such as Candid Records Jazz Fest (London), Jazz City Jazz Fest (Edmonton, Canada), Houston International Jazz Fest, Cape May Jazz Fest, The Telluride Jazz Festival, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, City Stages (Birmingham, AL), Denver Jazz Fest, Duke University Jazz Series, Jacksonville Jazz Fest (FL), Denver Jazz Fest, Spoleto Festival (Charleston, SC), and World's Greatest Jazz Series (Atlanta).
He has also performed with musical talents including Tom Harrell, Randy Johnston, Art Van Damme, Gary Bartz, James Spaulding, Don Friedman, Chuck Israels, Greg Abate, Giacomo Gates, Bruce Foreman, Kenny Blake, Jim Crawford, John Gross, Tito Puente, John Stowell, Kenny Blake, Greg Gisbert, Ken Walker, Spike Robinson, Ellen Rucker, Yuron Israel, Chris Potter, Gary Motley, Bill Anschell, and many more.
Steve has done extensive touring as a leader or sideman with such players as Tom Harell, Art Van Damme, Randy Johnston, John Stowell, Janice Barnett ("Janice"), Johnny San Sone ("Jumpin' Johnny"), and many more.
Steve has recorded as a leader or sideman with Kenny Barron, Steve Berrios, Alan Broadbent, Luis Conti, Bruce Foreman, Tom Harrell, Randy Johnston, Joe LaBarbera, Victor Lewis, Bob Malach, Eddie Marshall, Bill O'Connell, John Patitucci, Rufus Reid, John Riley, Bob Sheppard, Dave Valentin, Peter Washington, and many others.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.