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Over the past 20 years pianist/composer Michael Jefry Stevens
has been associated with some of the most important figures in modern jazz.
Beginning with his first CD release in 1991 as a member of Mark Whitecage's Liquid Time
Group Mr. Stevens has been in the forefront of the NYC improvised music scene.
Between 1988-1990 he co-led the now legendary "Mosaic Sextet" with Dave Douglas.
This group included Mark Feldman on violin, Michael Rabinowitz on bassoon and the rhythm
section of Harvey Sorgen on drums and Joe Fonda on bass. Their "Today This
Moment" CD release on Konnex Records and re-release on GM Recordings is considered
one of the classic modern jazz recordings of the last 20 years. The rhythm section from this band went on to become
the nucleus for Mr. Stevens working quartet "the Fonda/Stevens Group which originally
began as a quintet with Mark Whitecage on sax and Herb Robertson on trumpet and has now
evolved into a quartet featuring Mr. Robertson. Since its inception in 1993 this group has
released 6 cds, toured Europe countless times and is one of the premier working modern
jazz groups on the international scene. Mr. Stevens also began a very fruitful and
fulfilling relationship with Leo Records with his duo "Haiku" CD release in 1994
featuring Mark Feldman on violin. These piano/violin improvisations proved to be a pivotal
link between Mr. Stevens work in both the composed and improvised music worlds. His 2nd
Leo Records release "Elements" featured group improvisations with bassist
Dominic Duval, drummer Jay Rosen, Mark Whitecage and guitarist Dom Minasi, all of whom
have now become world recognized improvisors. |