Steve Bach (musician)

Steve Bach (Steven Bach) is an American keyboardist, accordionist, composer, and musical director. Bach has performed and worked with many well-known musical artists from a wide variety of genres, most notably Stanley Clarke, Robby Krieger,[1] Kitarō, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, and Sergio Mendes. He is currently a Cirque de Soleil band director and is the founder of 8 Keys Records, a self-release label record company.[2]

Steve Bach
Birth nameSteven Bach
BornNew York City, United States
OriginLong Island, New York
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Keyboardist
  • composer
  • musical director
Instruments
Years active1970s–present
Websitestevebach.com

Early life

Steve Bach (born Steven Victor Bach) was born in New York City and raised in East Meadow, Long Island, New York.[3] Since the age of five, he has been playing the accordion and piano, and was drawn to jazz in addition to folk music.[4][5]

Career

After studying music theory at SUNY Potsdam and Hofstra University, Bach worked as a jazz pianist in New York City.[4] Bach moved to California in 1978, and in 1979 became a keyboardist playing with Stanley Clarke, a well-known American jazz bassist, and was eventually featured in Clarkes' 1980 album Rocks, Pebbles and Sand. Bach also performed and toured with Japanese-American new-age music artist Kitarō during the mid 1980s. In the late 1980s, Bach went on international tours playing Brazilian jazz with a famed Brazilian duo consisting of percussionist Airto Moreira and vocalist Flora Purim.[3] Bach has also collaborated with Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes, who crosses bossa nova with jazz and funk. He has also served as a music director for Andy Williams, and also performed on keyboards with Bill Henderson.[6]

In addition, Bach has performed as a pianist with American guitarist Robby Krieger.[7][8]

With Empire Of The Sun, Bach co-wrote the 2013 hit single "Alive" as part of the album Ice on the Dune.[9] The song ranked #79 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Best Songs of 2013 list.[10]

In 2014, Bach was nominated for the APRA Music Awards (Dance Work of the Year).[11]

Since 2007, Bach has been a Cirque de Soleil band leader.[12] He continues to play the accordion and keyboards, and still serves as a musical director with Cirque de Soleil.[4]

List of works

Below is a list of selected works by Steve Bach, including songs and albums that he had produced.[13][14][15]

Album credits
Albums (as primary artist and producer)
  • 1985 – Child’s Play
  • 1985 – Holiday
  • 1988 – More Than A Dream
  • 1990 – Nice Moves
  • 1991 – Zero Gravity
  • 1992 – City Magic
  • 1997 – Now And Then
  • 2016 – 8 Keys (8 Keys Records)
  • 2017 – Bach Solo (8 Keys Records)
  • 2018 – Yes and Know (8 Keys Records)
Songs
  • "Fast Break (Soundwings)"[16]
  • "Microwave Popcorn"
  • "The F Song"
  • "Cassie"
  • "Rain Dance"
  • "In My Dreams"
  • "Sweet Magnolia"
  • "I Must Be Dreaming"
  • "Hometown Girl"
  • "For a Long Time"
  • "Three Quarters"
  • "This Is Not Goodbye"
  • "Star Gazer"
  • "Samba School"
  • "Pearl's Baiao"
  • "Alive" (co-written with Empire Of The Sun)
  • "Keep a Watch" (co-written with Empire Of The Sun)
  • "Just Me and You" (co-written with Richard Elliot)
Books authored
  • Strictly Strings, Pop-Style Solos and Yamaha Pop-Style Solos book series[17]

References
  1. Catlin, Roger (2000-11-19). "Robby Krieger nails old doors tunes". The Hartford Courant.
  2. Amador, Raul (2018-04-16). "Steven Bach, Multi-instrumentalist and Musical Director for Cirque du Soleil's Crystal". Bass Musician Magazine.
  3. Sparrow, Norbert (1988-01-29). "Le Cafe's Steve Bach Grew Tired of Using Music to Sell Burgers". LA Times.
  4. "Interview with Steve Bach". Accordions.com.
  5. "Steve Bach biography". 8 Keys Records.
  6. Liska, A. James (1989-07-20). "Bill Henderson: Fishing for the Right Backup". LA Times.
  7. "Krieger kick offs homecoming". The Gainesville Sun. 2002-11-08.
  8. Reese, Chris (2001). "Robert Krieger live: Webster Theatre, Hartford, CT". Doors Collectors Magazine.
  9. "On the Charts: Empire of the Sun's "Alive"". We Create Music. ASCAP.
  10. "100 Best Songs of 2013". Rolling Stone Magazine. 2013.
  11. "Dance Work of the Year". APRA Music Awards. 2014.
  12. David Fawcett (June 28, 2018). "Interview With Steve Bach, Cirque de Soleil Band Leader". Greater Hamilton Musician.
  13. "Steven Bach". AllMusic.
  14. "Steve Bach". AllMusic.
  15. "Works by Steve Bach". Spotify.
  16. "Gavin Report, no. 1755" (PDF). The Gavin Report. 1989-05-05.
  17. "List of music books by Steve Bach". Alfred.
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