Steve August Bio
Steve August is a professional musician, educator, and author who resides in beautiful Northern Michigan and has performed for over 30 years in clubs, resorts, and concerts. He often performs in a solo as well as a group setting. He achieved a Master of Music degree in jazz studies from Western Michigan University on the piano in 2004. He often performs on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in the summer months for jazz gigs, casuals, and performance venues in this highly romantic setting depicted in the movie "Somewhere in Time." Steve has performed in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Wynn, The Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, The Flamingo Resort, Caesar's Palace, and Lake Las Vegas.
In addition to performing, Steve is a very active teacher and educator. His studio schedule is full of aspiring pianists, musicians, and those seeking a greater musical understanding of music's inner workings. In June of 2002, Steve started the annual SUMMER JAZZ weekly workshop for Jazz Education, teaching improvisation styles and techniques open to students of all levels. This workshop is open to all levels and all instruments during the summer months. Steve also currently lectures frequently on jazz at various Colleges and institutions, offering cultural enrichment activities. Teaching others to love and understand jazz music has led to the "Jazz History Lecture." An academic overview of jazz's history is combined with live performances. Steve has taught his "Fun Blues Harmonica Class" at the College of Southern Nevada and at the University of Las Vegas.
Steve August originally started his musical career early in his teens playing electric bass and blues harmonica in Rock Bands with high school buddies. He played electric bass in power trios influenced by the Cream and Jimi Hendrix and rock music. This led to performing in Jazz trios after listening to the music of Oscar Peterson. Steve started piano studies to enhance his bass playing and music knowledge and quickly fell in love with the instrument. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying electric bass and piano early in his career. That led to various working situations on the road with many groups. Through an association with the late great jazz pianist Eddie Russ, Steve attended Grand Valley State University, studying jazz and classical piano. After graduation from GVSC, he continued to perform both piano or electric bass. Later he earned a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies at Western Michigan University.
Steve has a vibrant, eclectic piano style drawing on Classical music's deep traditions and reaching into the Blues, Ragtime, Boogie - Woogie, and many jazz piano styles such as bebop to smooth jazz.
Steve started playing the harmonica in his teens and gave serious attention to it. He is the originator and instructor of the "Fun Blues Harmonica Class." This class explores the history of the harmonica allowing both beginners and advanced players the opportunity to perform in a class setting. The class studies the important players both past and present thru video, lecture and live performances.
