Steve King

If you hire me, you can expect a number of things...

Professionalism: I will be a timely and precise communicator. I will show up early for the rehearsal or gig. I will be as prepared as I'm able to given time constraints and/or prep materials provided to me.

You will have a groove: The bass, along with the drums, are the foundation of any band. As a recovering drummer, I combine the rhythmic groove and timing of percussion, while laying down a foundation for the rest of the band.

I will watch and listen: I'm attentive to the bandleader, vocalists, and others in the band.

Steve grew up on the east coast, influenced by a broad variety of genres, and from an early age played piano, drums, guitar, then finally picking up the musical love of his life – the electric bass guitar. During college, Steve performed with Jay Leno, Red Skelton, Diane Schuur, and jazz greats Bobby Shew, Frank Mantooth, Rob McConnell, Steve Houghton, and many others.

Steve spent decades gigging with hundreds of different bands, artists, leaders, and configurations, throughout the Chicago area, including Bill Archer's Big Bear Band, which became Big Fun, The Michael Walters Orchestra, and others. Steve still performs with his R&B, jazz and Funk band from college, State of Mind. Steve also stays busy with studio work, and performing with a variety of local artists and band leaders.

Steve has been called to be a side man for many national performers, including Chuck Berry, Martha and the Vandellas, The Drifters, The Platters, The Coasters, and others.

Steve is comfortable with styles ranging from R&B, jazz, fusion, funk, blues rock, Latin, big band, to Motown.

I play electric bass guitar.

I play a 1989 Tobias (of Mike Tobias fame) Signature 5 String Bass