The
press has dubbed him "the human jukebox".
He calls himself a
"reluctant tenor". He claims he knows over a
thousand "cover" songs. But, that's not the only thing
he knows. A consummate showman, Steve Stefanowicz knows how to
delight audiences with his unique blend of acoustic guitar, rich
vocals and sharp wit.
Steve
has been blind since birth. He
began playing the guitar at age four, when his father would tune the
guitar to a chord, hold Steve on his lap, and sing along while Steve
strummed the guitar. At age
twelve, Steve became seriously interested in studying the guitar, and
began taking lessons. His
performances feature both original music and “cover tunes” that keep
the crowd singing along. With a wide range of influences, including James Taylor,
Warren Haynes, Bonnie Raitt and Black Sabbath, Steve brings a broad menu
of musical choices to his fans.
Steve
organized local favorites Blind Ambition, Rock Slide, Big Love, and the
Steve Stefanowicz Band, along with his recent Duo project. He also
founded the well-known regional band Smilin' Jack.
He has performed with Lou Rawls, Sam Andrews' Holding Company,
Blue Spark, Junkyard Jane, Garth Reeves, and Cliff Eberhardt.
Steve has also shared billing with Savoy Brown, Kansas and Elvin Bishop.
Showing his flair for musical diversity, he is also vocalist for
the nationally acclaimed big band, The Groovin Higher Jazz Orchestra.
He was named "Blues man of the
year", at the 1998 Tacoma Blues Festival.
“One of the most fascinating
things to witness in the world of music is the first meeting of two
strong-willed, extremely gifted performers – not in the
“sitting-in” mode, but working together for the first time. The
protagonists in this case were Steve Stefanowicz, the blind
guitarist/singer, and Cliff Colon, the Godzilla of the tenor.”
- Harvey
Siders,
The Tacoma Reporter