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Steve Abshire

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Steve Abshire has a musical style distilled from years of influence and study with jazz greats Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, and his long time friend Herb Ellis. Steve has appeared in concert with many jazz greats; among them Louie Bellson, Milt Hinton, Tal Farlow, Marian McPartland, Charlie Byrd and Herb Ellis. He has accompanied legendary vocalists Della Reese, Rosemary Clooney, Etta Jones, Joe Williams, and Diane Shuur.





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Photo- Michael Stewart

He also played twice at the Jazz in Marciac Festival in Marciac, France. In 1997, Steve retired from the U.S. Navy's premier jazz ensemble Commodores, where he performed as guitarist/featured soloist. Steve can be heard on many recordings including his first, Big Brass Bed Blues, which received 4 stars by Downbeat Magazine. He is also heard on a CD headed up by John Jensen entitled Homecoming. John and Steve's musical paths first crossed in the U.S. Navy Band Commodores, where John was lead trombonist until he retired in 1996. As well as his Navy career, John was and continues to be active as a player and teacher in and around the Washington D.C. area. John has

performed with such groups as the McCoy Tyner Big Band, Chaise Lounge, and Brooks Tegler's Hot Jazz. Mike Shepherd is also a retired member of the U.S. Navy Band. Throughout his career he has shared the stage with the likes of Louie Bellson, Mundell Lowe, and Tal Farlow. Mike toured with the Maynard Ferguson Big Band which performed at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival. In the last two years Mike has composed several songs including one played on this CD, I'll Be There. Tommy Cecil moved to Washington D. C. in 1976, where he established himself as a freelance jazz bassist, playing with such greats as Tommy Flanagan, Phil Woods, and Chet Baker, to name a few.
Tommy has recorded with numerous well-known jazz musicians, and recently released his own project which includes his composition Samba for Felix. Music affects each of us differently. So just put it on, keep an open mind. You'll hear something you love. What more could you ask for? Except maybe another CD from these same musicians...real soon. Enjoy!                                                                                                                  -Bill Mayhugh

  Robbin’s Nest * Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You *  It’s You or No One *
  Prelude to a Kiss *  I Only Have Eyes for You (.ra) *  I Won’t Dance *
  Greasy *  I’ll Be There *   Time After Time *  Topsy *  Dark Eyes *
  Come in from the Rain

  Steve Abshire - Guitar     John Jensen - Trombone
  Tommy Cecil - Bass    Mike Shepherd - Drums

 

 

Also Available:

  One Note Samba * Jazz "N" Samba * Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars *
  Lil' Darlin' * Jitterbug Waltz * I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues *
  Night and Day * Avalon * Nuages * BBARDS Blues * How Insensitive

  Steve Abshire - guitar         Gene Bertoncini - guitar
  Joe Byrd - bass           John Doughten - tenor saxophone
  Chuck Redd - drums         Mike Shepherd - drums

The long-awaited reissue of Steve's LP  

Yardbird Suite *  Centerpiece *  A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square *
  Over the Rainbow *  Big Brass Bed Blues *  Embraceable You *
  Alone Together *  You Stepped Out of a Dream

Steve Abshire- Guitar            Chuck Redd - Vibes
John Previti - Bass       John Greely - Drums
Herb Ellis - Guitar on "Big Brass Bed Blues"