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Steve Bach (musician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steve Bach
Birth nameSteven Bach
BornNew York City, United States
OriginLong Island, New York
Genres
Occupations
  • Keyboardist
  • composer
  • musical director
Instruments
Years active1970s–present
Websitestevebach.com

Steve Bach (Steven Bach) is an American keyboardist, accordionist, composer, and musical director. Bach has performed and worked with many well-known musical artists from a wide variety of genres, most notably Stanley Clarke, Robby Krieger,[1] Kitarō, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, and Sergio Mendes. He is currently a Cirque de Soleil band director and is the founder of 8 Keys Records, a self-release label record company.[2]

Early life

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Steve Bach (born Steven Victor Bach) was born in New York City and raised in East Meadow, Long Island, New York.[3] Since the age of five, he has been playing the accordion and piano, and was drawn to jazz in addition to folk music.[4][5]

Career

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After studying music theory at SUNY Potsdam and Hofstra University, Bach worked as a jazz pianist in New York City.[4] Bach moved to California in 1978, and in 1979 became a keyboardist playing with Stanley Clarke, a well-known American jazz bassist, and was eventually featured in Clarkes' 1980 album Rocks, Pebbles and Sand. Bach also performed and toured with Japanese-American new-age music artist Kitarō during the mid 1980s. In the late 1980s, Bach went on international tours playing Brazilian jazz with a famed Brazilian duo consisting of percussionist Airto Moreira and vocalist Flora Purim.[3] Bach has also collaborated with Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes, who crosses bossa nova with jazz and funk. He has also served as a music director for Andy Williams, and also performed on keyboards with Bill Henderson.[6]

In addition, Bach has performed as a pianist with American guitarist Robby Krieger.[7][8]

With Empire Of The Sun, Bach co-wrote the 2013 hit single "Alive" as part of the album Ice on the Dune.[9] The song ranked #79 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Best Songs of 2013 list.[10]

In 2014, Bach was nominated for the APRA Music Awards (Dance Work of the Year).[11]

Since 2007, Bach has been a Cirque de Soleil band leader.[12] He continues to play the accordion and keyboards, and still serves as a musical director with Cirque de Soleil.[4]

List of works

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Below is a list of selected works by Steve Bach, including songs and albums that he had produced.[13][14][15]

Album credits
Albums (as primary artist and producer)
  • 1985 – Child’s Play
  • 1985 – Holiday
  • 1987 – Zero Gravity
  • 1988 – More Than A Dream
  • 1990 – Nice Moves
  • 1992 – City Magic
  • 1997 – Now And Then
  • 2016 – 8 Keys (8 Keys Records)
  • 2017 – Bach Solo (8 Keys Records)
  • 2018 – Yes and Know (8 Keys Records)
Songs
  • "Fast Break (Soundwings)"[16]
  • "Microwave Popcorn"
  • "The F Song"
  • "Cassie"
  • "Rain Dance"
  • "In My Dreams"
  • "Sweet Magnolia"
  • "I Must Be Dreaming"
  • "Hometown Girl"
  • "For a Long Time"
  • "Three Quarters"
  • "This Is Not Goodbye"
  • "Star Gazer"
  • "Samba School"
  • "Pearl's Baiao"
  • "Alive" (co-written with Empire Of The Sun)
  • "Keep a Watch" (co-written with Empire Of The Sun)
  • "Just Me and You" (co-written with Richard Elliot)
Books authored
  • Strictly Strings, Pop-Style Solos and Yamaha Pop-Style Solos book series[17]

References

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  1. ^ Catlin, Roger (2000-11-19). "Robby Krieger nails old doors tunes". The Hartford Courant.
  2. ^ Amador, Raul (2018-04-16). "Steven Bach, Multi-instrumentalist and Musical Director for Cirque du Soleil's Crystal". Bass Musician Magazine.
  3. ^ a b c Sparrow, Norbert (1988-01-29). "Le Cafe's Steve Bach Grew Tired of Using Music to Sell Burgers". LA Times.
  4. ^ a b c "Interview with Steve Bach". Accordions.com.
  5. ^ "Steve Bach biography". 8 Keys Records.
  6. ^ Liska, A. James (1989-07-20). "Bill Henderson: Fishing for the Right Backup". LA Times.
  7. ^ "Krieger kick offs homecoming". The Gainesville Sun. 2002-11-08.
  8. ^ Reese, Chris (2001). "Robert Krieger live: Webster Theatre, Hartford, CT". Doors Collectors Magazine.
  9. ^ "On the Charts: Empire of the Sun's "Alive"". We Create Music. ASCAP.
  10. ^ "100 Best Songs of 2013". Rolling Stone Magazine. 2013.
  11. ^ "Dance Work of the Year". APRA Music Awards. 2014.
  12. ^ David Fawcett (June 28, 2018). "Interview With Steve Bach, Cirque de Soleil Band Leader". Greater Hamilton Musician.
  13. ^ "Steven Bach". AllMusic.
  14. ^ "Steve Bach". AllMusic.
  15. ^ "Works by Steve Bach". Spotify.
  16. ^ "Gavin Report, no. 1755" (PDF). The Gavin Report. 1989-05-05.
  17. ^ "List of music books by Steve Bach". Alfred.
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