RICK (Richard) STEFFENS - musical jazz artist performing on doublebass as well as electric bass, is a diversified musician with over 40 years of experience as a band leader, studio recording artist and sideman.

Phoenix AZ area 623-219-5211

email - [email protected]

Throughout his career, he has performed at thousands of events throughout the world, including venues and jazz clubs in New York City, San Francisco, Denver, San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles as well as South America and now in Europe.

Rick has played and jammed with jazz notables: Herbie Hancock, John Handy, Milt Jackson, Richie Cole, Andy Narell and Ernestine Anderson. Besides appearing on several Jazz and Fusion albums, he also has performed with many celebrities and comedians such as: Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Danny Thomas, Joan Rivers, Smothers Brothers, Mel Carter, Pete Barbutti, Rich Little, and Joe Piscopo.

Rick began his music career in 1969 in Boulder, Colorado while attending the University Of Colorado. His first exposure to performing jazz was with drummer Steve Getz, son of the famous saxophonist Stan Getz. The Steve Getz quintet made appearances in New York City in 1971. Rick returned to Boulder in 1972 and performed with several bands, including Fly & The Zippers who were an opening act for a concert in 1974 featuring the ground breaking fusion group Weather Report.

Rick moved to California and lived in the San Francisco Bay Area from 1974 through 1993. He finished his formal college music education in San Jose and performed as the principal bassist with the San Jose Civic Light Opera, as well as performing with the San Jose Symphony Summer Pops, West Bay Opera and the San Jose Opera Orchestras. During Rick's tenure with the San Jose Civic Light Opera he performed over 30 different major Broadway musical productions.

In 1993 Rick, along with his family, moved to San Diego, California where he embarked upon the formation of MIRAGE MUSIC, which featured several different style groups that he lead. It was a much needed demand for high quality music acts he fulfilled for the special event music industry in San Diego. The acts he lead included a jazz combo, big band orchestra, steel drum band, blues band, latin jazz band and gypsy swing band.

Rick and his wife Victoria, now reside in the Phoenix AZ region.