Steve Sternberg
Tallahassee, Florida, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1975 | SELF
Music
Press
Florida's "folk family" will gaher this weekend for music and acoustic workshops at the 13th annual Will McLean Music Festival, being held this year at the Sertoma Youth Ranch near Dade City.
The folk music festival features two artists, Amy Carol Webb of Miami Springs and Steve Sternberg of Tallahassee, who won the Best Florida Song Contest sponsored by the Will mcLean Foundation.
For his second-place winning song, "Apalachicola Blues," Sternberg wrote about the Panhandle town where he teaches piano lessons once a week. "I was just taken by the laid-back and quaint flavor of this little fishing village," said Sternberg, who's been writing songs since 1970. He also gives harmonica, saxophone, flute and clarinet lessons.
Sternberg said he based his "Apalachicola Blues" on "Blues Thang," a tune he teaches his harmonica students. His girlfriend suggested he write a song about Apalachicola, and six months ago, he recorded the song at a Tallahassee studio. Blues singer Charles Atkins sang lead vocals.
Sternberg will perform at the festival for the first time this year. "It's a great honor. I entered the contest not really expecting to win. There are so many great songwriters across the state," he said. "When I got the call, I was blown away, just thrilled." - Ocala Star Banner, Mar. 8, 2002
Local piano man Steve Sternberg and musical friends Mimi Hearn and Sir Charles Atkins celebrate the release of Sternberg's latest CD, "Shout for Joy,' Saturday at the United Church in Tallahassee. The disc showcases Sternberg's dexterity as well as his versatility on seven cover tunes and six sparkling originals, including "Apalachicola Blues." The latter is an award-winning ditty that captures the laid-back charm of the funky seaside village. Saturday's perfomnace will open with solo, duo and trio performances, and concludes with a dance to the music of Steve Sternberg's Blues Band. Amdission includes non-alcoholic beverages, hors d'oeuvres and yummy desserts. - The Tallahassee Democrat, The Limelight entertainment section, Feb. 3, 2006
Florida's "folk family" will gaher this weekend for music and acoustic workshops at the 13th annual Will McLean Music Festival, being held this year at the Sertoma Youth Ranch near Dade City.
The folk music festival features two artists, Amy Carol Webb of Miami Springs and Steve Sternberg of Tallahassee, who won the Best Florida Song Contest sponsored by the Will mcLean Foundation.
For his second-place winning song, "Apalachicola Blues," Sternberg wrote about the Panhandle town where he teaches piano lessons once a week. "I was just taken by the laid-back and quaint flavor of this little fishing village," said Sternberg, who's been writing songs since 1970. He also gives harmonica, saxophone, flute and clarinet lessons.
Sternberg said he based his "Apalachicola Blues" on "Blues Thang," a tune he teaches his harmonica students. His girlfriend suggested he write a song about Apalachicola, and six months ago, he recorded the song at a Tallahassee studio. Blues singer Charles Atkins sang lead vocals.
Sternberg will perform at the festival for the first time this year. "It's a great honor. I entered the contest not really expecting to win. There are so many great songwriters across the state," he said. "When I got the call, I was blown away, just thrilled." - Ocala Star Banner, Mar. 8, 2002
Discography
"Honky Tonk Soulstice" - 1997 CD
"Apalachicola Blues" - 2001 EP
"Shout for Joy" - 2005 CD
Photos
Bio
"Steve Sternberg is one of the most versatile musician's I know. He plays a polished contemporary style, and he is a master of early jazz piano, with his boogie-woogie, stride and ragtime renditions. In his music you will hear the roots of American musical heritage."
Ken Crawford, Heritage Events
Coordinator (former Director Florida
Folk Festival), Museum of Florida
History, Tallahassee
As a solo artist Steve Sternberg has been entertaining audiences from ages 3 to 103 throughout Florida since 1989. He is loved for his wide range of piano stylings done with flair and for his upbeat, informative rapport with his listeners. He'll play an obscure Pete Johnson or Albert Ammons boogie-woogie from the 30's, an original contemporary blues, a Joplin rag or an evocative, meditative new-age original. In 1990 Steve was a recording artist for Mr. Wonderful Records out of Louisville, KY for his compositions "Irap" and "Cool Teacher". Each year since 1999 Sternberg is brought back by popular demand to the nation's largest and oldest folk festival, the Florida Folk Festival. He has also performed in other festivals and events throughhout the country both as a soloist and as a member of rock, dance and jazz bands. Steve's first CD, "Honky Tonk Soulstice" was released in 1997. Three of the CD's twelve songs are originals.
In 2001 Sternberg won an award in the statewide Will Mclean Foundation's Best New Florida Song Contest for "Apalachicola Blues". That was released then on his 2nd CD of the same name. The song depicts the laid-back, rural fishing-village/tourist attraction Apalachicola on the Florida Gulf coast. That song and his "Forgotten Coast Blues" are part of the soundtrack for the documentary "Apalachicola, Our Town", which aired on WFSU-TV in 2004 in the Tallahassee/Florida panhandle area. On WFSU's local music series "Outloud" Sternberg and singer Mollie Lynne get regular airings as one of the most popular shows.
Steve's 3rd CD, "Shout for Joy", was released in September of 2005. It contains five boogie-woogies and eight original tunes including a re-release of "Apalachicola Blues" and"Forgotten Coast Blues". It shows a maturity in styling, songwriting and arranging. It is his masterpiece to date.
Steve is a music educator, having performed in residencies in 14 Florida school districts. He is the piano accompanist at Temple Israel in Tallahassee, playing for the Friday night services, special events and for Saturday morning Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. He performs monthly at 8 local retirement homes. He also teaches private lessons in Tallahassee.
Band Members
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