Steve Barone Biography

Steve Barone , a native of Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, has been playing guitar professionally since 1970. Throughout  his career, he has traveled extensively in & out of the country (23 years "on the road"). He has shared the stage with the likes of B.B. King, Donna Summers, Kenny Loggins, & Gladys Knight, to name a few. He has played all types of music through the years, but currently focuses solely on his true love of jazz.

While living in Los Angeles area (over 16 years),  his good friend and only guitar teacher, the late "Great" Joe Pass, had a monumental influence on his style of playing (Joe unfortunately passed away in 1994). In Dec of 1996, Steve returned to his roots of Greater Cincinnati, where he currently performs privately & publicly.

He has recently finished his third CD, entitled "I Remember." It again features the same ensemble as his second CD, "Why Not" (2001), which includes Wayne Yeager, (Piano), Randy Winters, (Drums), and Lou Lousche, (bass). (engineer: Jim Krause). His first CD, "Queen City Re-Union" (1999), features Mike Sharfe, (bass), and Randy Winters (Drums). Both include original music & traditional jazz standards.
 

  Liner note excerpts from Steve's new release, "I Remember":

I met Steve Barone some years ago through our mutual friend and colleague, legendary guitarist Joe Pass.  Steve was studying with Joe, and I had just finished producing a Joe Pass album.  Joe was impressed with Steve's potential as a guitarist and writer and thought we might work well together.  We explored a number of ideas, but Steve was busy with a traveling schedule, and we were never able to proceed.  When it was time to leave the road, he decided to settle in the Cincinnati area where he grew up and his family still lives.  He has continued to develop, and his music has evolved to the eclectic sounds heard on this CD.

Delightful straight-ahead jazz lines can be heard on In A Mellow Tone, Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, Alone Together, and Billy's Bounce, in the World Music rhythms of Steve's original Puerto Rican Dream and Estate, Mal Waldron's seldom-heard ballad, the haunting Soul Eyes, and two other Barone originals I Remember and Sombre Serenade.  The vocals, You Go To My Head and The Nearness Of You were a big surprise.  When I first heard You Go To My Head, I was fascinated by Steve's unique phrasing and distinctive timbre, each of which eludes many successful singers.

Steve is playing with a pleasing sound and style and is definitely in command of his instrument.  His band mates are equally first rate and together they become a solid cohesive unit.

With his endeavor, Steve has fulfilled the promise he demonstrated when we first met and is still obviously growing.  Joe would be proud.

BOB EDMONDSON, PRODUCER/MUSICIAN, LOS ANGELES

The following article about Steve Barone is from the May 2002 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine.

The article is authored by Dave  Hussong, owner of Fretware Guitars in Franklin Ohio. The Article is written about Steve's Style of play on his new CD Why Not.  Dave is a nationally recognized expert on Vintage Instruments and Music in general.

     To apply the term "mainstream" to this style of guitar playing seems almost a contradiction. Yes. it is timeless jazz, but mainstream just doesn't fit anymore for the simple reason that it's hard to find players the caliber of Steve Barone. How could they be termed "main" anything?

     The Cincinnati native spent plenty of time on the west coast and more specifically in the company of a diverse group of musicians and session situations, but probably is proudest of the time he spent with the late Joe Pass.

     The time was well spent, influence wise, as evidenced by Steve's melodic sense of chordal phrasing. It's one of many strengths this player brings to the table.  This particular CD showcases Barone in a quartet setting.

     Sit in musical conversation with Steve and he'll show you the importance of soloing through the changes, as opposed to relying on some of those pentatonic cliches so many of us call home. He can breathe consistent new life into a I-IV-V change. Perhaps that's one of the qualities that makes him a great player, no musical bias, he's as happy playing the blues (he does throw the 2/5 in there now and then) as on "Autumn Leaves." All evident on this self-produced release.