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Biography
- STEVE CLISBY -

c o m p o s e r - p r o d u c e r - p e r f o r m e r
Born in California, Steve’s musical roots were
planted early having played the piano and saxophone
from age seven, and singing and studying music throughout
high school. He quickly traveled to Europe to seek foreign
adventures and expand his musical experience and after
tasting the life as a working musician in Spain he actively
pursued the path of a musical career. Steve returned
to the US for a few years, where he further developed
his pianist and vocal techniques, but was drawn back
to the musical buzz of Europe and settled in Holland,
which at the time was the musical epicenter of Europe.
Based in Holland, the band ‘American Gypsy’,
whose original fusions of R&B, rock and electric
jazz saw them forging an 18 year career touring extensively
throughout Germany, Denmark, UK, Spain, and Belgian
to become Europe’s frontier live funk and soul
presence. Commercial success soon followed with a record
deal and release of the album ‘American Gypsy’
that produced a string of hits, leading to numerous
TV appearances and touring alongside accomplished and
popular R&B, Jazz, and soul leaders: Chaka Khan,
Hot Chocolate, Kool and the Gang, Crusaders, Mothers
Finest, Level 42, Santana, James Cotton Blues Band,
Charles Lloyd , Frank Zappa, Taj Mahal.
Steve’s musical inspiration and experience expanded
to producing, songwriting. His collaborations extended
to co-write with award winning producer/writer Narada
Michael Walden (Madonna, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey);
Errol Brown (Hot Chocolate), and Ashley Ingram (Desree
and Imagination).
Steve’s composing and song writing from the American
Gypsy album attracted the attention of contemporary
musicians with Groove Armada re-recording “Whatever
Whenever” on their album (originally titled “Inside
Out”) and Neneh Cherry using "Golden Ring"
on the album "Man".
The early 90’s transpired into a journey of personal
development and freshly motivated optimism which saw
Steve yearn for clean living and the integrity of character
to take full advantage of every opportunity that crossed
his path. It was this transformation that led to a chance
meeting in Holland with CG Productions founder, Charles
Graham. This subsequent partnership was instrumental
in Steve moving to Australia in 1999 and starting the
joint production company Miracle8.
Australia soaked up the fresh sounds of Steve and he
has since carved a solid reputation as a performer,
producer, artist development specialist, lecturer at
SAE (School of Audio Engineering, Sydney), and popular
session singer.
Steve’s stage presence continued to be strong
on the international circuit and he highlighted his
performance career supporting Tina Turner throughout
her 1996 European tour.
Ever the popular crowd pleaser, Steve’s a frequent
performer at various Australian and International jazz
festivals and has also released three live recordings
that express the ambience and energy of his live performances
(‘Steve Clisby Live …Temple of Love’,
‘Steve Clisby Unplugged at The Basement’,
‘Steve Clisby Live II’). Steve’s originally
composed album of noveau jazz beats and lounge sounds
‘New Beach Road’ has been released by the
label Instinctive Travels.
The Steve Clisby band delivers its pure velvet sounds
with Steve Clisby on vocals; Bill Risby on keyboard;
Kere Buchannon on drums; Alex Hewetson on bass, Jonathan
Pease on guitar; and Adrian Cunningham on saxophone.
Steve optimism and passion for life transfers effortlessly
into his music and live performances, leaving a buzz
that stays with the audience long after the music has
stopped.
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