Artist description Steve Holt is a singer-songwriter with a prodigious history. He is a Juno award nominee with 5 albums to his credit and has long been considered one of Canada's great pianists. Now Steve has crossed over into mainstream music with the making of his latest recording The Dream, and was subsequently awarded Honorable Mention at the 2002 USA Songwriting Competition. The album was produced by acclaimed engineer/producer Darius Szczepaniak (Barenaked Ladies, Jann Arden, Chantal Kreviazuk), and is filled with potent songwriting and performances, with eight out of eleven tracks penned by Steve. The album also includes a remarkable remake of the Beatles' "Let It Be" and the classic "Can't Find My Way Home" by Blind Faith. Come explore and find out more about this extraordinary artist.

Music Style AC, Folk-Rock, Pop-Rock

Musical Influences Sting, Phil Collins, The Beatles, Peter Gabriel

Similar Artists Sting, Peter Gabriel, Don Henley

Artist History Steve Holt is a man of many talents and many lives. During a musical career which spans two decades, Steve has established himself as one of Canada's leading musicians. A JUNO Award nominee, he has performed in concert with the likes of Larry Coryell, Archie Shepp, Eddie Henderson, Pat Labarbera, James Moody, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Michel Urbaniak, and many others. Steve has 5 albums and 3 singles to his credit, including the recently released “The Dream” - a major departure from his jazz roots. In addition to music, Steve is also a competitive bodybuilder. Born in Montreal Canada, Steve was a musical prodigy who began to teach himself to play the piano at age four. By age 17, Steve was making a name for himself playing the club circuit. At 22 he finally decided to get a formal music education, and later graduated with distinction as McGill University’s first-ever Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz performance. He subsequently became an instructor of Jazz at McGill, traveling to New York to study with legendary pianist Kenny Barron. Holt’s debut recording in 1983 “The Lion’s Eyes” won instant critical acclaim around the world and was nominated for a JUNO Award in Canada. In subsequent years he established himself as one of Canada's leading pianists, performing with many of the greats of the jazz world. At the same time, Holt rose to prominence in the financial world, becoming a top-ranked equity analyst specializing in entertainment and consumer-related companies and listed in Canadian Who's Who. In 1999 Holt walked away from his business career to devote his full energy to music, and the following year he made a startling change of musical direction from jazz to adult contemporary music. He studied voice with Bill Vincent and emerged in 2002 as a remarkable vocalist and songwriter, releasing his 6th record “The Dream”, an AC-AOR album produced by Darius Szczepaniak (Barenaked Ladies, Jann Arden, Chantal Kreviazuk). The first single, “We Need You”, a plea for peace and tolerance in a troubled world, achieved a great deal of success at radio across Canada. Holt was subsequently awarded an Honorable Mention at the USA Songwriting Competition. Steve is also a competitive bodybuilder… He entered his first competition in March 2000, and placed 5th in the Masters category at the ANBC Lion Country Classic in State College, Pennsylvania in April of 2000. Drawing on a wealth of musical expertise, life experiences, and spiritual unfolding, Steve’s new music is powerful and real. As critic Dan Brisebois wrote in Canadianbands.com, “There really isn't a bad cut on the disc - and several are just plain exceptional. (Steve Holt) …will make you re-think your views on modern adult pop music.”

Group Members Steve Holt � Vocals, BGV, grand piano, keyboards, arrangements Rique Franks � BGV Liz Tansey � BGV Sean Baillie � Electric Guitars J.K. Gulley � Acoustic Guitars Kevin Turcotte � Trumpet Russ Boswell � Electric and Acoustic Bass * Jorn Andersen � Drums and Percussion Sovereign Voice � Choir

Instruments Steve is a vocalist and plays piano and keyboards.

Albums The Lion's Eyes (Plug); Just Duet (Sackville); Christmas Light (Inner Music); Catwalk (Sackville); We Need You (Single) (Trilogy); The Dream (Trilogy); Just To Be With You (Single) (Trilogy)

Press Reviews Artist: Steve Holt CD Review: The Dream Label: Trilogy Records/Inner Music By: Dan Brisebois, Canadianbands.com, October 2002 One of Canada's most acclaimed jazz pianists, Steve Holt has just released his first disc geared for a pop audience. The native of Montreal is a past Juno Award nominee and has recorded four discs prior, building a loyal following on the jazz circuit in Quebec and Ontario - performing both solo and with many of the businesses' best. Steve also has the distinction of being probably Canada's only recording artist to have worked in the stock markets for 15 years, specializing in entertainment and consumer related companies. He gave it up in 1999 after building his own recording studio to fulfill pop music full time. The result is THE DREAM, which Steve co-produced with Darius Szczepaniak, whose credits include Barenaked Ladies, Chantal Kreviazuk and Jann Arden. Steve assembled a great group of musicians for the recording, utilizing The Sovereign Voice Choir. Rique Franks and Liz Tansey provide the perfect accompaniment with their backing vocals, while drummer Jorn Andersen - noteable for his time in Fludd, one of Canada's most under-rated acts during the 70's keeps a tight backbeat. One of the first things you can't help but notice is the obvious passion Steve's brought to his latest project. This shouldn't be mistaken as an accomplished musician venturing outside his realm - fact is THE DREAM is one of the most diverse AOR albums I've heard in a very long time. The lead track "Soon" is complete with Sean Baillie's guitar-work that you can't help but think of being 'Santanaesque' - but with Steve's fingerprints on it. The extraordinary musicianship on the disc will be no surprise to those familiar with Steve. A graduate of McGill University, he holds the distinction of being the first person to hold a Bachelor of Music majoring in jazz performance. One of the two covers is the Beatles' "Let It Be". It takes courage to tackle the project of re-doing such a classic and putting your own spin on it. Steve takes on the assignment and passes with flying colours, delivering a haunting rendition. Traffic's "Can't Find My Way Home" is the other non-original - complete with piano solo. Steve's influences seem wide and many. Hints of Winwood, Joel, Marsalis ... they all subtly come to mind while listening to THE DREAM. "We Need You" is indicative of the CD - a very well-thought out arrangement - harmonious and tightly-woven. You can hear Steve pour his heart into the soulful "When", a ballad showcasing his love for the piano. The disc closes with the moody two-part "Surrender", a tender love song that is as good as anything on the airwaves at the moment. It's obvious THE DREAM is something Steve has wanted to do for a long time. The passion he exhibits to the craft is rare - and a welcome change. There really isn't a bad cut on the disc - and several are just plain exceptional. With a little something for everyone, you'll have your own favourites. Steve describes THE DREAM himself as 'a sleepy giant that slowly took shape'. The beast has been unleashed ... and it's going to quietly make you re-think your views on modern adult pop music. to top

Additional Info http://www.backstageproductions.com

Location Toronto, Ontario - Canada

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