About
“Exquisite compositions…there is a quest for beauty in his lines that evoke the masters.” – Ernie Rideout, Keyboard Magazine
Steve Hudson is a NYC based pianist and songwriter who loves immersing himself in different musical worlds whether it’s jazz, singer-songwriter projects, or film composition. Hudson is joined by bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Jerome Jennings for his most recent project, The World of Steve Hudson. The album explores standards such as “If I Were a Bell” and “Armando’s Rhumba” along with originals that showcase the pianist’s inventive improvisation and signature sound.
Hudson’s original music embraces the sounds of jazz, rock, blues, pop, and roots music, all with a free spirited love of improvisation. Hudson works with his own trio and as a sideman for a variety of projects, and has performed at the Blue Note, Birdland, Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center, Monterey Jazz Festival, and several other clubs, theaters and festivals in the US, Canada, and overseas. Some of the musicians he has shared the stage/recorded with include Claire Daly, Steven Bernstein, Jerome Harris, Gerald Cleaver, Marcus McClaurine, James Zollar, Marcus Rojas, Oscar Noriega, Peter Eldridge, Jerome Jennings, and Hilliard Greene.
Background
Stephen was largely self taught, and learned the instrument by ear and by playing along with Ray Charles and Lou Rawls’ records, thanks to the encouragement and guidance of his teachers James Reed and Jim Ellington. He graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in English literature and divided his love of music with a teaching and writing career.
In his early twenties he met the pianist Barry Harris who introduced him to the world of bebop, and everything changed. Steve threw himself into the world of music and never looked back. He fell in love with an eclectic world of music which included Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, Astor Piazzolla, James Brown, the Beatles, Ray Charles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimi Hendrix, Bach, Ravel and others. Steve went on to study with Stanley Cowell and Kenny Barron, and earn a graduate music degree from Manhattan School of Music.
Steve Hudson Trio
Steve Hudson - Piano
Hilliard Green - Bass
Jerome Jennings - Drums
Hudson’s recent trio album, The World of Steve Hudson, features standards such as Armando’s Rhumba, If I Were a Bell, and Things Ain’t What They Used to Be. The trio also explores originals such as Make Your Path and the blues Isaac on the Loose.
Upcoming Recording
Hudson is also featured along with trumpeter Brad Turner on a new recording with the Redline Trio which will be released in 2023 on Chronograph Records. This will Hudson’s second recording with the Redline Trio.
Trace The Sun
Stephen Hudson – Piano, Songwriter
Niki Morrissete – Vocals
JM Parker - Vocals
Hudson’s latest project in the world of indie rock is Trace The Sun, which is music that speaks to our dreams, thoughts, loves, and everything in between. Their debut EP is entitled Trace The Sun and features John-Michael Parker and Nikki Morrissette. Music Connection Magazine calls placed the group on its top 10 New Artists. Youtube Link.
As a film composer, Hudson collaborates with directors in New York City and California, whose works have aired on HBO, Netflix, and in film festivals across the US, Canada, and Europe. He has composed scores to over a dozen films and documentaries which highlight his ability to create works in a wide variety of styles. Stephen has also recorded several works as a pianist, most notably for the film “The Immigrant” by director James Gray (Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner, Marion Cotillard), and for the PBS documentary, Policing the Police.
See more films and details, on the video page of the site.