Jason Steele

Biography
Articles

Jason Steele is a Chicago based artist who first assembled his jazz and improvisation influenced group, The Jason Steele Ensemble, in September of 2004. As his main project, The Ensemble showcases his original compositions as well as the talents of other jazz musicians in the area. Within the first six months, they recorded their debut album at Engine Studios in Chicago with special guests Ron Miles on cornet, saxophonist Josh Sclar, and keyboardist Keith Johnson. Jason’s other project, Remington 2+2, is a free improv quartet with fellow guitarist Bill Mackay that takes the element of surprise one step further by including two “mystery guests” at each show.

Currently, Jason is focusing his efforts on continuing to write, record, and tour with The Jason Steele Ensemble as well as explore the terrain of free improv with Remington 2+2. The projects that Jason undertakes are, by and large, part of a platform for presenting his compositions in a way that is unique and always involves an element of surprise as to how they will evolve.

The Jason Steele Ensemble: Some Wonderful Moment

Read "Some Wonderful Moment" reviewed by Greg Camphire

by Greg Camphire
December 16, 2007

The Jason Steele Ensemble makes its recording debut with the unique Some Wonderful Moment, marking an auspicious start for the guitar-playing bandleader/composer and his promising group of creative instrumentalists.

Based out of Chicago, a city that has a long tradition of cross-fertilization among many disciplines of music, Steele and his compatriots combine elements of jazz and rock in a way that sidesteps traditional notions of fusion. Some recognizable touchstones in the music recall the eclectic work of fellow Chi-town residents ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five With Jason Steele

by AAJ Staff
March 17, 2007

Meet Jason Steele: Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jason received his B.M. in Jazz Composition from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Prior to arriving in Chicago, he attended Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas under the tutelage of trumpeter/educator Bryce Luty and drummer Eugene “Bones" Hutchinson. During this time, Jason was selected as the guitarist for the 1997 International Association of Jazz Educators' All-Star Community College Big Band and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival as ...