STEVE BAXTER: Vision Of Music - While many of today's talented young musicians are content to chase the often illusive pot of gold in pop and R&B music, Steve Baxter -- a multitalented musician -- is on a mission to be one of the best to play and produce the original American genres of music. The mission started in Houston, Texas when he began playing baritone horn at age 14. His first idol was legendary J.J. Johnson. Throughout high school he performed with the award winning Forest Brook High School Stage Band, and then continued his training at the prestigious Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he majored in Jazz Studies from 1980-1983. While at Howard, he began to seriously study the Jazz masters, participating in events such as the Thelonious Monk Memorial Concert series featuring Grady Tate, Charlie Rouse, Wallace Roney; ad workshops with musical greats like Lionel Hampton. Baxter moved to Los Angeles in 1991 to pursue a solo career, and to continue perfecting his craft.
The cool, urbane demeanor of this jazzman reflects the diversity of his East Coast/West Coast experience. It provides the perfect canvas for the vivid images he creates with the melodic, spirited strokes of his horn. Baxter has shared the stage and studio with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including the Ray Charles World Tour (1985), Horace Tapscott, Jazz Crusaders, Bobby Matos, Babyface, Eric Benet, 13 Cats, Patti Labelle, Sheila E, Beck, and Ziggy Marley. Jazz music is undeniably his passion. Steve Baxter is a multidimensional artist whose skills as a musician, songwriter, and producer have elevated his talent to another level. His horn playing, coupled with his Marsalis-like looks landed him an appearance in the 1995 Denzel Washington thriller, "Devil In A Blue Dress." His repertoire covers everything from R&B to Latin Salsa to Afro Cuban Jazz and he has toured with such legends as Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Temptations, The O'Jays, and The Four Tops.
Steve Baxter is a rare combination of talent and humility. He has a reverence for performing and being a creative artist who has a commitment to build on jazz and music pioneers' legacy. Steve Baxter's undeniable love for playing and producing music has reached and inspired people around the world. He continues to bring music to another level and contribute to the vision of music destined to inspire generations of artists.
In And Out: The 'Big Payback' as some call him, has his first solo project, that feature's: Paul Jackson Jr., Reggie Hamilton, Eddie M, Al McKay, Brion James, Lamont Vanhook, Mica Fisher, Julie Delgado, Donald Hayes, Dino Soldo, Andre Robertson, Rickey Minor, Land Richards, Harry Kim, Ernie Fields Jr., Richie Garcia, Herman Jackson, Wayne Linsey and many more. Check out the tracks "Chatter," "My Groove," "Pain," "Gansta Bone," "Right Time," "In And Out," "Sunrise In Houston," "Sliding By," "You Are," "This One's For U," "Long Distance" and "True Friend." PICK THIS ONE UP!!!
Reviews -
Houston, Texas native Steve Baxter brings a unique jazz sound to the stage with his debut release, "In And Out."
STAR STUDDED BAND, WICKED CD, THE PAIN, PAIN, PAIN * * * * BRAVO - Louie Pierre
Great relaxing music. Definitely sets the mood.
* * * * Off The Chain!
Oh YES!!! "In And Out" flows like some of the great ones. Makes you want to move to the beat and really sets a mood. I love it. Put it on, kick back and enjoy. - Angel
To order "In And Out", click here .
Awards -
Grammy Nomination, Crusaders 2004
Miscellaneous -
Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival, Latin Grammy Awards 2004
Steve Baxter also appears in the motion picture "Spider-Man 3" as a bandleader in a jazz scene and for the last 3 years has performed on American Idol.
