Bio-Steve Hunt
Pianist Steve Hunt, throughout his career, has stayed true to an uncompromising vision of composing and performing
jazz music from his heart. Rather than settling on what was considered popular or in vogue, Steve has continued to
push himself technically, focusing on a musical style which is both challenging and meaningful.

Born on August 28, 1958, Steve's early musical development was strongly influenced by his mother, a dedicated
piano teacher, and father, a professional jazz saxophonists who lead his own big band for many years and later played
with the Buddy Brock Orchestra in Houston. Steve cites his father as the person who introduced him to jazz. "I would
usually get a wake up call in the morning with a little of John Coltrane's A Love Supreme blasting on the stereo, but
when my dad brought home copies of Weather Report's Mysterious Traveler and Herbie Hancock's Actual Proof,
that's when my life took a whole new direction musically. Those two records changed me forever."

Steve also credits jazz greats Keith Jarrett, Joe Zawinul, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Thelonius Monk as
strong influences to his jazz style. During his formative years he studied with concert pianist Albert Hirsh, and jazz
pianists Sid Davis and Lyle Mays who all helped form his lighting fast technique and unique style. Steve later attended
Berklee College of Music in Boston where he continued his study of jazz.

After recording and performing with top Boston jazz musicians such as Randy Roos and Tiger Okoshi, and leading his
own jazz fusion band, Steve spent the next ten years on the road with several renowned jazz artists such as Billy
Cobham, Stanley Clarke, Angela Bofill, Tom Brown, and Allan Holdsworth. Steve's international touring took him to
countries such as Japan, Israel, Austria, France, England, Italy, Sweden, Argentina, and Australia, as well as major
cities in the US and Canada.

During this time, Steve also served as musical director for the famous touring Jazz Explosion where he led the trio
which headlined artists Freddy Hubbard, Gato Barbaira, Stanley Turentine, Ramsey Lewis, violinist Noel Pointer,
Kenny G, and the late Phillis Hyman. The Jazz Explosion performed in major concert venues including the Circle Star
in San Francisco, Beacon Theater in New York, Universal Theater in Los Angeles, and Hammersmith Odium in
London.

Steve's desire towards challenging himself is no where more evident than with his long time association with Allan
Holdsworth, whose progressive and innovative style has helped Steve to further his own musical development.
Holdsworth's more recent CD releases including Secrets, Wardencliff Tower, and Hard Hat Area, as well as featuring
Steve on keyboards, also include Steve's original tunes "Maid Marion," "Joshua," and "Dodgy Boat." While touring
with Holdsworth, Steve was featured in the Japanese edition of Keyboard Magazine (July 1991 and March 1993).
Other noteworthy recording contributions by Steve include two of Stanley Clarke's CD releases If This Bass Could
Only Talk and East River Drive.

Steve reached a major milestone recently, producing his first solo jazz CD From Your Heart and Your Soul (BMI
1997). For the promotional release tour of his new CD, Steve has organized a quintet including Gregg Bendian, John
Lockwood, Ole Mathisen, and Bruce Bartlett. In addition to performing and touring, Steve also serves as an instructor
at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston and runs his own recording studio, The Kitchen (alluding to his
excellent culinary talents), which has gained an outstanding reputation for its professional and technical capability.
Steve currently resides in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with his wife, Gina, and three children, Joshua, Andy,
and Lacey.

"Keyboardist Hunt was a great find, often playing monophonic lines so fast they blurred into a fluid line.
...Holdsworth and Hunt blew people's socks off..."

Yung Dragen, MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
May 1988

"This band - drummers Colaiuta, Husband, or Wackerman, Johnson, and keyboardist Steve Hunt - is one of
the most vital rotating units in electric jazz, and their breathtaking performances stand tall in Allan's
crystalline production."

Matt Resnicoff, GUITAR PLAYER
March 1990

"The album [Allan Holdsworth's Secrets] peaks with keyboardist Steve Hunt's dreamy Maid Marion ..."

Paul Robicheau, BOSTON GLOBE
September 1989

"Steve really understands what I want to do with my music. Other keyboardists ... tried to change my music
into something different. I think Steve is just the right person for this band."

Allan Holdsworth, interviewed in KEYBOARD MAGAZINE (Japanese Edition)
March 1993