Steve Wallace The Ambassador of Urban Soul

Smack! The doctor’s hand slapped the slippery, brown bottom, and a soulful wail burst forth from deep within the newly born Steven Wallace. He hasn’t stopped making music since.The Ambassador of Urban Soul, Steve Wallace, was the youngest soloist in his church choir, leading the congregation in musical praise at the age of four. Making a stage wherever he was, Steve would perform at his parents’ parties, bible study meetings, and of course on the playground. He began studying piano at the age of six.By the time he was nine, his undeniable talent led to an audition for a weekend music conservatory at THE MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC. The young Mr. Wallace so impressed the staff that he was awarded free admission to train fulltime. For eight intensive years, Steve studied voice, composition, ear training, music theory, and music history. While at MSM, the twelve-year-old Steve wrote his first lyrics for the student-composed opera, A Suite Musical Interval.Steve put together his first singing group in high school called, UPPERCLASS. The ever changing line-up, helped Steve hone his songwriting skills and schooled him on the ins-and-outs of music management and deal making. Steve scrutinized the production work of artists such as Brian McKnight, Boyz 2 Men, and Babyface, in preparation for his first studio session. When it was his turn at the boards, he was more than ready. The young impresario had all the musical parts completed in his head and as a result, despite unavoidable delays, was able to finish the framework for 4 tracks in under 60 minutes. The astonished engineers and fellow producers, lauded him with assurances of greatness to come.Dissatisfied with the rate of progress he was making in his piano lessons, Steve left his first piano instructor and at 15, he returned to the keyboards under his own tutelage. Starting off by making arrangements of The Star Spangled Banner for his singing group (one of which was performed at a Chicago White Sox baseball game), it wasn’t long before Steve was picking up the tricks of other pianists and playing by ear. Eager to flex his musical prowess, Steve, after some initial coaching by his brother, mastered the guitar before he had gotten his high school diploma.By the time he entered college, Steve had written approximately 75 R&B songs, sung in Italian, German, and French, and received scholarship offers from schools nationwide. Steve began his undergrad studies at Illinois State University before transferring to UNLV. He received vocal training and composition, respectively, under the incomparable Dr. Alfonse Anderson and the world renowned Virko Baley.Skilled in singing and writing everything from classical to hip-hop, Steve had already sung the lead in seven operas, toured worldwide, and composed a 3-act opera, a piano sonata, and 10 classical art songs by the time graduation rolled around.Influenced by an eclectic collection of artists including The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Premier, Puccini and Beethoven, Steve Wallace continues to be a beacon of inspiration for those lucky enough to know and work with him. He is a dynamic vocal coach, energetic band leader, brilliant composer, and dazzling producer. As a performer, Steve exudes a spirited radiance that complements the seasoned intelligence of his work perfectly. The social relevance of his music naturally leads to comparisons with Stevie Wonder and the legendary Donnie Hathaway. With his intoxicating exuberance and positive outlook on life, Steve Wallace is poised to take up the mantle.

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