Steve Shapiro
| Steve Shapiro | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
April 21, 1963 Hartford, CT, United States |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Vibraphone |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Sons of Sound, Curious Jazz |
| Website |
www |
Steve Shapiro (born 1963) is an American music producer, session musician, and jazz vibraphonist.
Biography
Vibraphonist and composer Steve Shapiro has recorded and performed with some of the biggest stars in jazz and pop, including Steely Dan (Two Against Nature), Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Ornette Coleman, Pat Martino, Regina Belle, Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Heath, They Might Be Giants, and Spyro Gyra. Shapiro is also an accomplished producer and arranger whose work has appeared in hundreds of television and film projects, and is a long-time producer/arranger for the Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios, with credits on an array of projects related to over forty feature film releases. Steve has been a pioneer of using audio and midi technology with the vibes, and has developed a unique voice inspired by contemporary electric keyboards. He has released five recordings as a leader, and continues to write and perform in New York with his group The Steve Shapiro electriQuartet.
Shapiro grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Yale University in 1985 after studying with artists Steve Swallow, Dave Samuels and Anthony Davis. He was an early proponent of music technology and midi synthesizers, appearing as a sound programmer on many New York City sessions in the late 1980s. Shapiro performed throughout the 1990s using the K&K midi vibraphone, which was also used by mallet players such as Mike Mainieri.
Shapiro has released 5 recordings as a leader, most with acclaimed Nashville guitarist Pat Bergeson. He is a Yamaha performing artist and plays Mike Balter Signature mallets.
Recordings as leader
- 1. Xylophobia (Curious/Sons of Sound, 2002), with Pat Bergeson, Marc Johnson, Danny Gottlieb, Kevin Hays, Tim Ries, Mike Davis, Jim Hynes
- 2. Low Standards (Sons of Sound, 2005), with Pat Bergeson, Doug Weiss, Scott Kreitzer, Jeff Williams, Annie Sellick
- 3. Backward Compatible (Apria/Vibraphonic, 2008) , with Pat Bergeson, Annie Sellick, Marc Johnson, Jochen Reuckert, and others
- 4. Vibe Out (Vibraphonic, 2013), re-release of 1996 and previous multitrack analog sessions
- 5. Solomental (Solidtone 2015), solo acoustic & electric vibraphone, and marimba
Recordings as sideman (selected)
- Steely Dan, Two Against Nature, Giant Records
- SpyroGyra, Rites of Summer, MCA Records
- Various Artists, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Walt Disney Records
- Joe Pesci, Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings, Sony
- Various Artists, Preacher's Wife Soundtrack, Walt Disney Records
- Various Artists, Chicken Little Soundtrack, Walt Disney Records
- Dave Samuels, Living Colors, MCA Records
- Dave Valentin, Musical Portraits, GRP Records
- Regina Belle, Special Part of Me, CBS Records
- Chris Walker, First Time, Pendulum/Elektra
- Dave Valentin, Red Sun, GRP Records
- Chris Walker, Sincerely Yours, Pendulum/Elektra
- Kiku Collins, Here With Me, Innova
- Mary Gatchell, Indigo Rose
- Rebecca Sayre, New Girl
- Marica Hiraga, Mona Lisa, 3D Japan
See also
References
- Vibraphone Technique: Dampening and Pedaling; by David Friedman; Berklee Press Publications; 1973.
- "The Vibraphone: A Summary of Historical Observations with a Catalog of Selected Solo and Small-Ensemble Literature"; by Harold Howland; Percussionist, volume 13, no. 2, Summer 1977