Steve Burks Music profile picture

Steve Burks Music

About Me

"Look At Her” is a collection of inspirational soul declarations, songs that celebrate, defend, encourage, and speak honestly about women, while providing a glimpse of how artist Steve Burks, a vocalist, saxophonist, drummer, and pianist, views himself as a man and a citizen of the world. Steve is a native of Gary, Indiana, a performer with the International House of Blues Foundation, a classical composer, and a gospel music director of 12 years. He graduated from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, received his Master’s from the IU department of African American Studies, and wrote his thesis about soul music and conscious hip-hop.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/18/2007
Band Members:
Influences: MAINLYDonny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Thomas Whitfield, Quincy Jones, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, John Williams, mentor Dennis Willis, and others.I REALLY LIKEEmmanual Jal, Esperanza Spalding, Gabriela Montero, D'Angelo, Johannes Brahms, Lauryn Hill, Ludwig van Beethoven, India Arie, Claude Debussy, Earth Wind and Fire, Olga Kern, Bruce Hornsby, Richard Strauss, Prince, John Mayer, Frank McComb, Fantasia, Beyonce, Karina Pasian, Chaka Khan, Terry Dexter, Lalah Hathaway, Immortal Technique, Nas, Keyshia Cole, Faith Evans, Marcus Dorsey, Kim Burrell, Jill Scott, Kanye West, Ginny Owens, Mary J. Blige, Common, Deborah Cox, DJ Jazzy Jeff (always on beat!), Jennifer Hudson, Amy Winehouse, Mint Condition, Musiq Soulchild, Sara Groves, JoJo, A.D. the Voice, MC Lyte, Ruben Studdard, Michael Jackson, Stevvi Alexander, Joe, Rosie Gaines, Cee Lo, Darryl Coley, Chris Coleman, Richard Saunders, Take 6, Calvin Rodgers, Mike Bereal, Mike Burton, Tyron Cooper, Lance Tolbert, Chrisette Michele, Steve Jordan, Jazmine Sullivan, The Clark Sisters, Kirk Whalum, Emily King, Taalam Acey, Tracii Smith, Jonathan Butler, Maulty Jewell IV, Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Crystal Aiken, Tamala Mann, Rachelle Ferrell, Chris Rice, John P. Kee, Kevin Bond, Mervyn Warren, Debra Killings, Kelly Price, Patrice Rushen, Whitney Houston, Umeki Neverson ...
Record Label: Magic Hertz
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Music as job vs. music as pastime

A professional experience I just had made me realize (or revisit) something. When you perform for yourself or on your own terms, play what you want, they way you want. But when someone else is paying ...
Posted by on Sat, 23 May 2009 12:44:00 GMT

Singing to God

When I left home for a concert last night, my baby daughter was fine. When I returned, she was sick. Just like that. It reminded me that we live from moment to moment, and whether we are aware of it...
Posted by on Fri, 01 May 2009 06:51:00 GMT

On the transcendence of music

Yesterday I bought Oliver Sacks' Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain, and in it came across the following quote from Darwin, Mr. There-Is-No-God himself: "As neither the enjoyment nor the capac...
Posted by on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:10:00 GMT

Petition for creation of U.S. Secretary of Arts position

If you care about the arts, please sign it. It's quick.http://www.petitiononline.com/esnyc/petition.html
Posted by on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:38:00 GMT

How to practice gospel organ when you don’t have the bass pedals

I don't have a Hammond organ at home, so this is how I practice for it. 1. Don't use the sustain pedal on the piano/keyboard. This will remind you to keep your notes close together in your hands, in o...
Posted by on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:01:00 GMT

A strategy for building a career as an artist

A young man asked me for advice on how to get started in the music business. I thought I'd send him a few bullet points and that would be it. Darn thing turned into a book on me. The following is a re...
Posted by on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:21:00 GMT

I respect gospel music, but this is funny!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:38:00 GMT

Motivation to practice: 10 tips

My motivation to practice comes and goes lately. Here's some of the stuff I do to get through the don't-feel-like-its. 1. Practice early in the morning. Before the day starts. That gets it over with. ...
Posted by on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:27:00 GMT

Piano sightreading: for players who need to look at their hands

I spent most of my musical life playing keyboard/piano by ear, and looking at my hands when I played. I did that in church for years before going to school for music. So when I was told by classical p...
Posted by on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:15:00 GMT

Ms. Knowles, meet the REAL Sasha Fierce!


Posted by on Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:53:00 GMT