Stephen Wi

From Washington DC was born in Rochester, New York and grew up in Washington, DC. He continued his music education at the University of Miami. There he joined Monty Alexander's band, with whom he started to perform on the international scene. He furthered his music education in New York, with Billy Hart. Back in Washington,played locally with Milt Jackson, Freddie Hubbard, Joe, Woodie Shaw, Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, John Hicks, Larry Willis, Mulgrew Miller and many others. He joined Gary Thomas' band, with whom he recorded one of his first compositions, "Pads". With Shirley Horn Then he joined Shirley Horn, who would keep for twenty-five years the same rhythm section: Charles Ables (bass) and Steve(drums). Critic Don Heckman wrote in the Los Angeles Times (February 2, 1995) about "the importance of bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steveto the Horn's sound. Working with boundless subtlety, following her every spontaneous twist and turn, they were the ideal accompanists for a performer who clearly will tolerate nothing less than perfection". His music relationship with the pianist and singer gives him the opportunity to tour the world and record with such artists as Toots Thielemans, Branford Marsalis and Wynton Marsalis, Carmen McRae, Roy Hargrove and Miles Davis. To NYC After his long collaboration with Shirley Horn,moved back to New York in 2006, where he studied with Michael Carvin. He performs among others with the Slagle/Stryker Band, Paul Bollenbach, Roni Ben Hur, Larry Willis, the John Hicks Legacy Band, Bill Saxton, Bob Mover, Amy London, Sara Lazarus, Ben Vereen, Joe Lovano, Eddie Henderson, Carmen Lundy, Bob Stewart, Clifton Anderson.??Known for his refinement with Shirley Horn, he is also appreciated as a powerful and sensitive instrumentalist. He pursues his music career with his own quintet, promoting original compositions by the band members. His first album as the leader of New Incentive was released in January 2007. The musicians are: Olivier Hutman (p), Michael Bowie (b), Donvonte McCoy (t), and Antoine Roney (s). John Hicks, Gary Bartz and Roy Hargrove are guests. Press New Incentive     •    "The enjoyment he derives from inspiring everyone here couldn't be more obvious"... more?Mike Joyce, Washington Post, February 23, 2007     •    "Steveemerges as a leader with a potent modern-bop quintet"... more?Jazz Times, May 2007     •    "This record is a splendor. It revivals the kind of emotion that you only feel listening to the great sessions from the sixties. The compositions, signed by Steveor other musicians from the band are dazzling. It is one of those that gives the strength to get up in the morning and the will to stretch out the night"... more?Renaud Czarnes-Les Echos January 26, 2007     •    "Superb debut as a leader. A true musical project, a real personality of instrumentalist and a surrounding in full sympathy with a determined leader: in short, an album of inspired jazz"...more?Jean Szlamowicz-Jazz Hot February 2007     •    "Each of Steveinterventions –breaks and choruses-as well as his accompaniment show clearly that it was time for him to lead this kind of band"... more?Henri Marchal in La Semaine des Spectacles January 24, 2007     •    "This album has to be recommended"... more?Jacques Aboucaya Jazz Magazine February 2007     •    "A session of exceptional quality"... more?Discovery records-January 2007 Other reviews     •    "Steve ' playing here generated the kind of rhythmic drive that Art Blakey excelled at during his heyday."?Chuck Obuchowski Hartford Courant-May 10, 2009 referring to a performance with the Joe Lovano Nonet. Discography     •    2006 :" New Incentive" (Steve)     •    2005 :" But Beautiful" ( Shirley Horn )     •    2003 :" May the Music Never Ends" ( Shirley Horn )     •    2001 :" You're My Thrill" ( Shirley Horn )     •    2004 :" Joe 's Finest Hour" ( Joe)     •    2000 :" The Legacy Lives On" ( The Legacy Band )     •    2000 :" Sketches Of James" ( Various )     •    2000 :" The Face Of Love" ( Eugene Maslov )     •    1999 :" Trio+Strings" ( John Hicks )     •    1998 :" American Rhapsody" ( Vienna Art Orchestra )     •    1998 :" I Remember Miles" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1997 :" Loving You" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1997 :" Ballads from the Black Sea" ( Datevik )     •    1996 :" Monterey Jazz Festival-40 Legendary Years" ( Various )     •    1996 :" The Main Ingredient" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1995 :" Ramona" ( Jeffrey Smith )     •    1994 :" Masters From Different Worlds" ( Clifford Jordan-Ran Blake )     •    1994 :" I Love You Paris" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1993 :" Light Out of Darkness" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1992 :" Here's to Life" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1992 :" Glengarry Glen Ross (soundtrack)" ( Various )     •    1991 :" For My Lady" ( Toots Thielemans )     •    1991 :" You Won't Forget Me" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1990 :" Dedicated to You" ( Carmen McRae )     •    1989 :" In Good Company" ( Joe)     •    1989 :" Close Enough for Love" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1988 :" Softly" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1988 :" Code Violations" ( Gary Thomas )     •    1987 :" I Thought about You" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1987 :" All of Me" ( Shirley Horn )     •    1987 :" The Garden of the Blues" ( Shirley Horn )