The Undiscovered: Larry Steen

Similar to fellow Los Angeles musician Neal Nagaoka, jazz/fusion bassist Larry Steen has leveraged an extensive musical education into a career in music, most recently culminating in his debut CD project entitled First Move. First Move also features renowned recording artists such as saxophonist Ernie Watts, drummer Dave Weckl, pianist Bill Cunliffe and flugelhornist Jeff Beal on eleven tracks of creative world jazz that incorporate rhythms from Brazil, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and West Africa, to name a few. First Move even blends funk and classical influences into the world jazz stew, as Steen's punchy bass lines highlight and augment the music spanning a variety of cultures. First Move is evidently the first of many musical moves in the emerging career of this polished musician.

Steen has been devoting himself to his bass for quite a while, attending the Berklee College of Music from 1982 to 1984, then studying at the University of Miami from 1985 to 1987, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Music and Jazz. Steen was fortunate enough to study classical double bass with Lucas Drew while at the university. He then turned professional, landing a job as orchestra bassist for the Broadway touring company of "Forty-Second Street" and as studio musician for the Dick Grove School of Music. Steen has also done numerous T.V., film and commercial recording dates. Before recording First Move, Steen toured with both Barry Manilow (1991-1992) and Engelbert Humperdinck (1995).

"I believe that music is an expression of ourselves, of humanity," states Steen. "It's the expression of life's beauty...it's not always pretty, and it's certainly not perfect. I like to think that my music encompasses many of life's different dynamics. I want people to be affected in some way by my music."

Larry Steen/L. M. S. Records
1351 Seward Street
Los Angeles, CA 90028
United States

Web site: www.flat5.com