Born: December 25 Primary Instrument: Guitar, electric
Completely surrounded by art before he could even stand, Steve Frise spent most of his early life in Edmonton and Calgary studying music on his own. Having played numerous instruments in his childhood, he eventually became infatuated with the electric guitar and the possibilities of expression that it offered him. His love for the art culminated with him leaving a nearly completed religious studies degree to purse music full time, enrolling at Edmonton's renowned music program at Grant Macewan University. While at the school Steve studied under Bobby Cairns, the Canadian jazz legend who inspired him to focus his talents on the world of traditional and contemporary jazz.
Since graduating from the program, Steve has been an active member in the local music scene; he first formed the 'Five Points Quintet' with four other local jazz musicians. This group while originally a test bed for modern compositions, expanded into a contemporary and traditional jazz powerhouse, playing everywhere around the province and holding a steady gig hosting the popular weekly jazz open stage at 'The Rock' in St. Albert for almost two years. It was during this time that Steve refined his playing and writing style: combining the accessibility of groove and soul jazz with the intensity of modern jazz/fusion. These qualities show up in almost every piece of music he creates. His time with 'The Five Points Quintet' gave Steve the opportunity to play with and meet most of Alberta's most respected musicians including: Simon Fisk, P.J. Perry, Sandro Dominelli, Mike Lent and Chris Andrew. 'The Five Points Quintet' eventually became 'The Four Corners Quartet', which has been featured the last two years in the Edmonton International Jazz Festival.
Using his experiences in music as a vessel, Steve also became a diligent student of sacred geometry, combining his knowledge of the ancient study with the immense world of music theory. This allowed him to develop an intense mystical connection with music and composition, which has manifested itself in much of the music he is involved with.
Steve co-founded the Canadian progressive rock project 'Atlas Shrug', along with the modern jazz sextet 'The Pulse'; engineering, producing and recording the release of both project's respective debut albums in late 2009 in his private studio, and enlisting the expertise of Stew Kirkwood at Sound Extractor Studios to complete the mixing and mastering processes. He is also a frequent guest and sideman in countless bands and groups across the entire musical palette, frequently playing with everyone from Funkafeelya to Rawlco grant recipients Tif Hall and Diana Stabel. Steve is also the creator and owner of mindformusic.com; the internet's fastest growing home for jazz transcription sharing, and Mind For Music Creative Studios in Edmonton. He currently teaches at the Yamaha music school in Edmonton and has become an experienced music clinician, working with various junior and high schools in Alberta, including teaching privately at the Victoria School Of Performing Arts. Steve has quickly become one of Alberta's most sought after guitarists and has gained the reputation of being a highly creative and professional musician, songwriter, producer and instructor.
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Primary Instrument:
Guitar, electric
Location:
Edmonton
Willing to teach:
Beginners
Credentials/Background:
Available upon request.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Available upon request.
