Steve Hobbs
Born April 17, 1956
The son of professional ballroom dancers, Steve Hobbs was exposed to music and Latin Music at around age 3. He started hand drums at 7. At age 11 he began playing trumpet, at age 12 he started drum set. He focused on trumpet until age 17 when he switched to vibraphone. He studied jazz at Berklee and the University of Miami.

He has performed in concert with Don Friedman, Tom Harrell, Randy Johnston, John Stowell, James Spaulding, Art Van Damme, Giacomo Gates, Ken Walker, Chuck Israels, Ellen Rucker, Greg Abate, Gary Bartz, and many other great artists.

He has done extensive touring as a leader, co-leader, and sideman with Tom Harrell, Art Van Damme, John Stowell, Randy Johnston, Greg Abate, Johnny San Sone, Janice Barnett, and many others.

He has recorded with Kenny Barron, Alan Broadbent, Bill O'Connell, Randy Johnston, Rufus Reid, Peter Washington, Eddie Marshall, Joe LaBarbera, Victor Lewis, John Riley, Steve Berrios, Tom Harrell, Bob Malach, Bob Sheppard, Dave Valentin, Bruce Forman, Luis Conti, Teresa Carroll, Ken Walker, and many more.

In 1998 was cited by BMG All Music Guide as one of the ten most influential vibists of the 1980's and 1990's. Entered in the Grove Dictionary of Jazz in 2006. Has been featured as a player in Canada, US, the Caribbean, and Europe. Has performed jazz concerts at major jazz clubs and Universities including Yale, Duke, Cincinnati Conservatory, and dozens more.

He has recorded five international CD's as leader, all reaching the top 10 on the US airplay jazz charts. His music is featured on American, Canadian, European and Asian Radio and Cable. He has also recorded as a sideman or co-leader on many projects.

Hobbs has endorsed Yamaha vibes since 1991 and continues to tour frequently as a leader and sideman.

Many reviews by Scott Yanow and other critics consistently list Hobbs' style of being of an original nature. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.