Steven Gellman
Germantown, Maryland, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Maryland singer/songwriter Steven Gellman has established himself as one of the East Coast’s most promising new artists with his second CD, Return to Summer Lake. The title track reaches a transcendence that the likes of Pink Floyd spend millions trying to approach. By allowing his supporting cast of musicians (which includes disappear fear’s SONiA, Peter and Maura Kennedy, and Mollie O’Brien) to shine through en naturalé (you can hear every click of the guitar strings and the uniqueness of the backing vocals), Gellman has created one of the most enjoyable, and honest, discs to show up in years. - The Worcester Phoenix
A collection of brilliantly crafted folk masterpieces that pull you into another world. - PAMUSICSCENE.COM
Essential for fans of sensitive acoustic music. - Billboard Magazine
Worthy of your attention. - iPop Culture
Gellman has sort of a John Denver-ish voice in the way he hangs on to a note and floats the vibrato and carries the sentiment of his lyrics. - Music Monthly
Gellman's sensitive songcraft incorporates simple but evocative slice-of-life imagery, homespun folk warmth, keen pop intincts, and crisp, first-rate musicianship. Part poetic reflection, part chicken soup for the ears... his soft tenor radiates with a choirboy's pristine poise, yet authentically conveys the depth of his themes. - Taylor Guitars
"Intensely sensitive and impressively intelligent at the same time." - Billboard Magazine
Discography
Revisited (In Studio - 2012)
Peaceful World (2010)
Love Loss Longing (2003)
Return to Summer Lake (2000)
Believe EP (1998)
Photobook (1997)
Time to Open My Heart (1995)
Photos
Bio
Emerging from his early roots as a founding member of the folk-rock group, Diamond Rose, Steven Gellman has established himself firmly within the singer/songwriter tradition. Described by Billboard Magazine as "intensely sensitive and impressively intelligent,” Gellman’s catalog of original music spans five independent releases. His newest, politically charged release, “Peaceful World,” continues Gellman’s slice of life approach to capturing story in song.
“All we can do is speak out for what we feel is right,” writes Gellman in the introduction to his new release “Peaceful World.” Gellman delivers. His fifth release features 13 songs exploring themes of peace, love, justice and just pure fun. Gellman’s “Peaceful World” garnered a nod from the Washington Area Music Association in 2010 and was hailed by PAMusicScene.com as a “collection of brilliantly crafted folk masterpieces that pull you into another world.” Gellman brings great energy to his performances with a sonorous, tenor voice that is often compared to the late John Denver and crisp, acoustic guitar accompaniment true to the folk tradition.
Gellman broke onto the scene in 1997 with his debut release “Photobook” garnering critical acclaim – he was nominated for 4 awards from The Washington Area Music Association Awards (WAMA) and by The Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA) for Debut Album of the Year. His sophomore release, “Return To Summer Lake” (2000), was hailed by Billboard Magazine as “essential for fans of sensitive acoustic music.” For his last project, “Love Loss Longing” (2003), Gellman recorded a concept album exploring the journey one goes through at the end of a relationship. “From a beautiful version of Shenandoah at the opening [of Love Loss Longing] Gellman presents tangible proof that he is in touch with his feelings” (Windy City Times).
Gellman has travelled near and far to perform at renowned acoustic music venues throughout the United States and Canada including The Birchmere in Alexandria, The Ark in Ann Arbor, The Blue Bird Café in Nashville, The Tin Angel in Philadelphia, and Club Passim in Boston. In Washington, DC, he has performed at the venerated National Theatre and the most sought after venue of all, The White House. Gellman has had the honor to open shows for Dar Williams, Cheryl Wheeler, Richie Havens, Richard Shindell, and Al Stewart among others.
Don Murphy of the National Theatre says "Steven Gellman's insightful original songs and homespun stories provide a soul-warming folk rock respite in a busy chilly world."
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