STEVE ABSHIRE is a jazz guitarist, teacher, and clinician in the Washington D.C./ Baltimore area. His mainstream style comes from years of study with Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Joe Pass and rhythm guitarist Steve Jordan.
Steve has performed with jazz giants such as: Gene Bertoncini |
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And accompanied legendary vocalists: Della Reese |
Steve has also appeared in concert with the "Great Guitars" sitting in for Barney Kessel.
With Navy for 24 years, Steve was the guitarist/featured soloist with the Commodores, the Navy's premiere jazz band, for 18 of those years. He retired in 1997.
Twice he went to Europe to perform at the famed "Jazz In Marciac" jazz festival in Marciac, France.
Steve joined faculty at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C., for five years and he presently teaches at Cedar Brook Academy in Clarksburg, Maryland as well as privately.
As a clinician, Steve has given Master Classes in guitar and rhythm section technique at the Armed Forces School of Music, James Madison University, Elon University, and various other local colleges and high schools.
Steve can be found on numerous recordings, including three of his own.
His first, "Big Brass Bed Blues" received a 4 1/2-star rating from Downbeat Magazine, which called him "...fluent, assured, directly communicative...definitely one to watch.".
His latest project, "Live at the Mainstay", is another magical collaboration with guitarist Vince Lewis, released on the Noteworthy Jazz label.