Steve traded his skateboard for a Synsonics/JCPenney guitar (with built-in, 9 volt-powered speaker) in the early 90s, much to the delight of his mother. At Emporia State University, he split his time between the theatre department and the music department, playing in pit orchestras, the big band, and the faculty combo, all the while teaching guitar at ESU Academy and Flint Hills Music.

Steve’s first step into the professional jazz world came in the living room of noted jazz pedagogue, author, and guitarist Dr. Wayne Goins at Kansas State University. Wayne’s unique approach as a professional first, academic second, inspired Steve to pursue the music further by moving to New York where he was lucky to study with luminaries in the field like Jack Wilkins, Mark Whitfield, Peter Bernstein, Mark Sherman, and Jim Ridl. 

Steve moved to Chicago in the spring of 2016 and began teaching and playing full time, further refining his craft with the help of local jazz heavies Scott Hesse, Jim Trompeter, Ernie Adams, and Henry Johnson. His debut album, Persistence, released in 2022 to rave reviews, including 4 Stars in Downbeat and inclusion on their ‘Albums of the Year’ list. His new recording, For Years Gone, will be released late in 2024.

Steve plays Benedetto guitars, Raezer’s Edge amps, and Dogal strings.