| Steve Bach | |
| Birth Name: | Steven Bach |
| Birth Place: | New York City, United States |
| Origin: | Long Island, New York |
| Years Active: | 1970s–present |
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 (born Steven Victor Bach) was born in New York City and raised in East Meadow, Long Island, New York. Since the age of five, he has been playing the accordion and piano, and was drawn to jazz in addition to folk music.[3]
After studying music theory at SUNY Potsdam and Hofstra University, Bach worked as a jazz pianist in New York City. 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.[4] 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.[5]
In addition, Bach has performed as a pianist with American guitarist Robby Krieger.[6] [7]
With Empire Of The Sun, Bach co-wrote the 2013 hit single "Alive" as part of the album Ice on the Dune.[8] The song ranked #79 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Best Songs of 2013 list.[9]
In 2014, Bach was nominated for the APRA Music Awards (Dance Work of the Year).[10]
Since 2007, Bach has been a Cirque de Soleil band leader.[11] He continues to play the accordion and keyboards, and still serves as a musical director with Cirque de Soleil.[12]
Below is a list of selected works by Steve Bach, including songs and albums that he had produced.[13] [14] [15]