About Me
In 2001 Australian entrepreneur Steve Clarke founded Blue Empress Artists, a boutique management and consultancy service for emerging and established blues performers. His clients include artists who have gone on to win the International Blues Challenge, Blues Music Awards and nominations, and more than 20 Australian peak music performance and recording awards. He is a highly experienced manager, agent, festival booker, executive producer, consultant, entrepreneur, and promoter. Steve has worked with some of the world's finest blues artists, including Hubert Sumlin, Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart, Bob Margolin, Fiona Boyes, and looks forward to serving the musicians, club owners, Festivals, and audiences who are keeping the blues alive.Steve is also the founder of Blue Empress Records, an independent Blues label with 5 award winning releases. Watch out for the up-coming release by Fiona Boyes, Mookie Brill, and Rich DelGrosso 'LIVE FROM BLUESVILLE', distributed by The VizzTone Label Group.Steve is a member of the Music Managers Forum (Int'l), The Blues Foundation, and the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR). He brings a unique combination of talent and expertise to his role, with more than 15 years experience in the music business in Australia and internationally. Following a career as a musician in the 70’s, Steve went on to earn four degrees and worked as a social justice advocate, pastor, and University lecturer, specializing in religion, cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, and philosophy. He has a particular interest in the relationship between spirituality, culture and the arts. After leaving academia he freelanced in organizational renewal, entrepreneurship and change management, conducting seminars and consultancies around the world, particularly with indigenous communities. He is a noted conference speaker, writer, lecturer, and workshop facilitator. Steve has also spent many years in partnership with Australian Aboriginal communities, working together with indigenous leaders in community development, advocacy, and the challenges of bi-culturalism. He is known in the Wongkatha community as 'Kyupi-Kyupi' - the desert whirlwind.‘In my opinion Steve Clarke is one of the most influential music business people operating between our two countries and cultures …. He has distinguished himself as an entrepreneur and is quite clearly recognized as a specialist manager, agent, and adviser by the international and national markets’ - Chip Eagle, owner and publisher, Blues Revue/Blues Wax/Dirty Linen magazines; Vice-President, The Blues Foundation
