Artist description See the Man, Hear the Music; Jeffrey Stephen. When you look at Jeffrey Stephen's first album, My Heart, you know nothing about him. When you read the text contained in the insert, you still consider him a stranger. After you listen to the album, you feel as if he has become your closest and most sincere friend. Jeffrey Stephen is real, and his reality shines brightly in My Heart. This album, just released in July of 2000, displays a unique array of talent and a creative mixture of music and lyrics, while developing a warm connection with the artist and his music. Jeffrey has been a musician since he was eight. Starting on the 'cello, Jeffrey excelled in music through the years, picking up the trumpet at the age of twelve. He always learned quickly in instruction, and was never afraid to try new styles or techniques. Now in his last year at The Pennsylvania State University, Jeffrey has seized the opportunities provided by his school. He performs on and off campus in both orchestras and other musical groups. He has also joined Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a professional national music fraternity. Within the fraternity he is a member of The Dreamers, an a cappella group, which has helped to train his voice, while giving him a warm yet powerful stage presence. He has also taken the opportunity to explore new areas in the field of music, and has developed a strong interest in electronic music. In doing so, he has opened himself up to a whole new area - music composition. As a composer, Jeffrey has many goals. First, to create music that is not only stimulating and entertaining, but that can remain innovative and unique. Second, he develops a strong bond between the lyrics and the music behind them. He also strives to make his lyrics meaningful - he speaks of issues and events that have happened to him in a way that others can relate to. His topics range from the death of a much-respected friend, to yearlong high school crushes, to those Friday nights out on the town. His father, who has supported Jeffrey unconditionally over the years, says, "the music grows on you, after you've heard it a few times and picked your favorites." Jeffrey also likes to stay away from specific categories. From rock bands to a cappella arrangements to string quartets, he doesn't limit a song's boundaries to conform to a genre. He has been influenced by such artists and bands as Richard Marx, Savage Garden, Goo Goo Dolls, Chris Deburgh, and even Steve Reich, a 20th Century minimalist composer. Jeffrey has performed some of his works for his fraternity, and also at a recent talent show in Pennsylvania. Audience members have said that Jeffrey "never ceases to impress." He hopes to build a strong alliance with his listeners and the public, and aims to keep sight of the reality that has made his music special. Even his website, www.JeffreyStephen.com, is friendly, personal, and creative. It only takes a few minutes to hear it - the unique creativity of this album cannot be easily overlooked. From his slow love songs, to the upbeat, percussion-filled pop-rock tunes, to the fourteen unique musicians who backed Jeffrey up, there's something to impress everyone. See the man; hear the music - Jeffrey Stephen.

Music Style Ballad, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Alternative, Pop-Rock, Modern

Musical Influences Matchbox 20, Savage Garden, Richard Marx, Billy Joel, Goo Goo Dolls, Steve Reich...

Similar Artists Other than those above whos styles I've worked to recreate, I'd have to say I sound pretty darned unique...

Artist History Stephen has been composing music since 1997, and since late 1998 has been working on the album, which was released in June of 2000, independantly. Stephen has had a limited number of performances, due to the fact that the performers on the CD were volunteers. He has been featured in his home town of Augusta, Georgia, in both Newspaper and on TV. He is currently seeking a bachelor of arts degree in music composition and electronic music at The Pennsylvania State University. Visit his homepage - www.JeffreyStephen.com - for further information.

Group Members Currently: Jeffrey Stephen Previous Performers: Gordon Kaslusky; Electric Bass Guitar, David "Hoy Toy" Hoy; Electric Acoustic Guitar, Daniel Scott; Percussion, James Scott; Percussion, Lindsay Schweriner; Violin, John Paul Tobin; Viola, Lisa Hooper; Cello, Jerry "The Mojo" Lynn; Violin, Michael Fortunato; Alto Saxophone, Nick Carita, John Metzler, Josh Sholes, Matt Reklau; A Cappella Vocals

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Piano, Percussion, Cello, Viola, Violin, Saxophone, Synthesizers, Vocals

Albums My Heart

Press Reviews Local Student opens 'Heart' to airwaves. Ashlee Griggs, The Columbia County NewsTimes, Wednesday, July 26, 2000. Area residents soon could be hearing the music of Jeffrey Stephen on local radio stations. Stephen, a 1997 Evans High School graduate, has produced his first compact disc, My Heart. Stephen is promoting his music through radio stations, television, newspapers, the Internet and music stores. "I just want to get my name and my music out there anyways I can," he said. The 21-year-old Pennsylvania State University music major wrote all the lyrics and music on the seven-track disc. "It was a lot of work," he said. "And believe it or not, the majority of the recording was done in a chapel at the university." The entire process took about eight months to complete, Stephen said. He combines the sounds of various instruments, including the piano, violin, cello and saxophone, to produce his unique sound. He compares his music to that of Richard Marx, Billy Joel and Savage Garden. "I write a lot of ballads, but every song is different," Stephen said, who wrote and dedicated the first song on his CD to a high school friend. The song, titled Goodbye, was written for his friend Mary MacKay. MacKay was just 16 years old when she was killed in a car accident in 1996 at the corner of Flowing Wells and Washington roads. "I played that song for my fraternity last fall and got a standing ovation when I finished," he said. And Mary's parents actually purchased the first copy of the CD." Growing up music was a large part of his life. Stephen began playing the cello at age 8. In high school, he was a member of the band and the Richmond Country Orchestra. In his senior year Stephen received the National Orchestra Award from his band director, Richard Brasco. His strong background in music has given him some of the experience and knowledge needed to produce his CD. "I am very happy with the overall product," he said. Stephen admits the business is expensive, but he prefers to view it as an investment in his future. However, he has prepared himself for the fact that this CD may not sell well at all. "My expectations about this CD are realistic. I don't expect it to do extremely well," he said. "This is just to get people's attention." Stephen's goal is to have a contract with a major music label by December. He currently is working on his second CD.

Additional Info CD in Progress only on MP3.com! - "Interludes"

Location State College, PA - USA

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