Born in the Gulf Coast City of Beaumont, Texas and raised in China..., Texas, John was influenced by numerous musical genres including Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, Latin, Zydeco, Texas and Mississippi Delta Blues, early Rock & Roll, Western Swing and touring Big Bands such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Benny Carter. Began professional musical career as a tenor saxophonist while in High School. Studied at Houston Tillotson College, Austin,
Texas, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas and Armed Forces School of Music, followed by fours years service with the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Obtained B.A. Music from Cal State Northridge. Joined Marvin Gaye productions and has since built an extensive career as a Soloist, Bandleader, Conductor, Arranger, Producer and Studio Recording Artist.
PERSONAL PROFILE:
Experienced, versatile composer, arranger, conductor, producer, performer, with a command of woodwind instruments and a broad range of musical styles. Plays Alto, Tenor, Soprano and Baritone Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet. Fluent in Finale, CuBase and other notation software and sequencing programs. Upbeat, positive colleague with an extensive track record of getting the most from available resources and delivering outstanding results under deadline conditions.
| |
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
John Stephens Music, "home of the infinite groove", Los Angeles, California. Founder and President, January 2002 to present, John Stephens Music is providing original grooves, arrangements, orchestrations, contracting, live music production, record production, music preparation to clients in many area of the music industry. Our focus is on exceeding client expectations no matter what the budget or the deadline, and producing outstanding results that are on time, on budget, and always in the GROOVE. Client references available upon request.
COMPOSING AND ARRANGING CREDITS:
Numerous arrangements for Luckman Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Charles Owens, Cal State University, Los Angeles...,
Wild Women Blues, staged revue starring Linda Hopkins, Maxine Weldon and Mortonette Jenkins, extended runs in Europe (Germany, Paris, Monaco,Vienna, Spain, Netherlands)...,
Mean Sisters (Motion Picture Score)...,
Motown's Apollo Special, NBC...,
Motown 25th Anniversary Special, ABC...,
The Rock and Roll Show, ABC...,
We're Getting Along, (Stage Play) Los Angeles Theater Center...,
Stage Orchestrations for the Temptations, Gladys Night & The Pips, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Johnnie Taylor, Roy "guitar" Gaines...,
Numerous orchestrations and arrangements for recording sessions at Solar, Arista, Capital and other record labels...,
PERFORMING CREDITS:
John Stephens CooBlue Big Band - appearances for Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, Grammy in the schools......,
Grammy House Band, Patrice Rushen, conductor...,
"To Ella with Love", an all star concert at Hollywood Bowl featuring Kevin Mahogany, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Patrice Rushen, conductor...,
In concert with Aretha Franklin - House of Blues and Nokia Theater...,
Extensive ensemble work in concert, festival and tour engagement in the U.S. and overseas with such artist as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Patti LaBelle,
Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Hopkins, Maxine Weldon, Benny Carter, Gerald Wilson, Buddy Collette, Dizzy Gillespie and Plas Johnson...,
Motion picture soundtracks include "What's Love Got To Do with It"-Tina Turner,
"Paradise Alley"-Sylvester Stallone, "Dingo"-Miles Davis...,
Theater productions include "Pal Joey" with Lena Horne (Ahmanson Theater),
"Blues in the Night" (Pasadena Playhouse), "Singing in the Rain," "Ain't Misbehavin" "Pirates of Penzance" (Los Angeles Civic Light Opera), "We're Getting Along"
(L.A. Theater Center)...,
TEACHING CREDITS:
Jazz America at the Music Center...,
Hollywood Stars Afterschool Program, Lacer...,
Grammy in the Schools...,
Substitute teaching at UCLA, UC Irvine School of Music.
Woodlowe Music Center, Woodland Hills, CA.
|
|
