~ Steve Billman ~

Fretted and Fretless Electric Bass

 

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via Lira Productions

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Biography

Originally from Orange County, CA., Steve was given a bass at 13 by his guitar playing older brother and took to it with a vengeance. He grew up listening to and playing top-40, rock and jazz, where he was voted Most Outstanding Jazz Player (Tustin High School). His musical abilities soon landed him in the L.A. Valley College and L.A.C.C. Big Bands, as well as the Cal Poly All-Star Jazz Band.

He attended Berklee College of Music as well as the Bass Institute of Technology on full scholarships where he had the opportunity to study privately with Herb Mickman, Jeff Berlin, Ray Brown and Bob Magnusson. Steve has also taught at the Musician's Institute, and L.A.M.A conducting rhythm section workshops with Ralph Humphrey. He also participates in seminars and clinics in electric Bass playing, groove workshops, and improvisation, in and around greater Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Steve brings not only a rock solid rhythmic foundation to any group he works with , but also the ability to melodically solo over the most difficult changes. His original compositions are heavily featured in CONTINUUM; pieces which range from fatback funk and swinging jazz, to melodically rich epics, and beautifully orchestrated ballads. He has also been the only bassist to hold down the bass chair in CONTINUUM since its inception.

Not one to rest on his laurels, he has been studying composition and orchestration with Spuds Murphy to further enhance his already formidable talents as a well rounded musician. His recent acquisition of a 6 string bass has also opened up the bottom end of the band, and added to the richness of Steve's uncanny ability to medodically solo over anything.

Steve plays a Warwick 6 string Fretted Bass, a customized Fender Precision bass 4 string, and a 4 string Custom Fretless Bass.

Steve always plays DR bass strings.

In 2001 Steve Billman left CONTINUUM to concentrate on writing and performing music for his church.

Reviews

"Billman is a most impressive player who draws a lot of his soloing from influences such as saxophonist John Coltrane...Fans will enjoy his playing and writing which are world class....."
GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE

Performance Credits

Alex Acuna, John Bergamo, Brian Bromberg, Gerry Brown, Luis Conte, Continuum, Brandon Fields, Free Flight, David Garfield, Mike Garson, Tony Guerrero, Gregg Karukas, Jeff Kashiwa, Pat Kelley, Kilauea, David Koz, Eric Marienthal, Rob Mullins, Gary Novak, Makoto Ozone, Chester Thompson, Jim Walker, Bob Wilson, Phil Wilson, Albert Wing

Selected Discography

CONTINUUM Continuum NINEWINDS RECORDS
CONTINUUM YOU TELL ME OCHIMANCIA RECORDS
CONTINUUM Passages NINEWINDS RECORDS
Kilauea Tropical Pleasures BRAINCHILD RECORDS
Audy Kimura Live in L.A. POLYDOR RECORDS
Tony Guerrero Different Places NOVA RECORDS
Tony Guerrero Another Day, Another Dream NOVA RECORDS
Bill Cantos Bill Cantos Project BRAINCHILD RECORDS

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Lira Productions, PO Box 3178, MTB Hills, California 90640, USA
http://idt.net/~ochikubo, mailto:LiraProductions@ibm.net
Voice: (323) 267-1830, Fax: (323) 267-1872