Steve Pemberton
About
Five appearances at Carnegie Hall and four appearances at the White House have helped jazz artist Steve Pemberton gain an international reputation as an incredibly versatile and sensitive musician. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, his career has taken him to most corners of the world, allowing him the opportunity to work with some of the most respected musical artists of our time. A partial list includes jazz artists Mel Tormé, Doc Severinsen, Grover Washington, Jr., John Pizzarelli, the New York Voices, Patti Austin, Peter Nero, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, the Count Basie and Quincy Jones Orchestras, with too many more to mention.
It was his versatility that guided him to hold his former position of soloist and member of the Boston Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Keith Lockhart and film composer John Williams. This position was in addition to the more than 140 symphonies he has performed with around the world as a guest artist. It was an appearance with Patti Page and The Philly Pops Orchestra that lead to Steve’s involvement on Patti’s Grammy Award winning CD, “Patti Page – Live at Carnegie Hall”.
His love of many styles of music has led to numerous performances, recordings and/or tours with the likes of Johnny Mathis, Maureen McGovern, Melissa Manchester, Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, Crystal Gayle, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, along with Broadway superstars Marvin Hamlisch, Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne and Jerry Herman.
Continuing to tour the world the last few years, Steve currently tours with Latin/Pop vocalist Vikki Carr, mostly in the states, Mexico and Central and South America. Otherwise, he can be found in the LA studios working in TV and film, and also in the jazz clubs and concert halls of Los Angeles. In addition, he presently is on the faculty of the Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena, CA and the College of the Canyons Community College in Valencia, CA.
Steve's teaching style has allowed numerous former students to become accomplished undergraduates at major universities and music colleges, as well as highly respected and active professional musicians around the world. It is his professional and relaxed approach that allows his students to develop and thrive in the most positive way. Steve strongly believes in setting a solid foundation, developing the basic skills of reading, rudiments, listening, analysis, and demanding excellence in the details in execution of his materials. Focus on technique and in depth discussions of real-life musical situations, allows his students to benefit tremenedously from his years of experience.
Member of AFM, Local 47 (American Federation of Musicians)
Faculty member of Los Angeles College of Music
Faculty member of College of the Canyons Community College
REMO
Zildjian
Vic Firth
Steve utilizes material created and gathered from years of private instruction, material similar to material used in Steve's teaching at the college level, as well as many drum industry standards such as John Riley's "The Art of Bop Drumming" and Ted Reed's "Syncopation for the Modern Drummer" books. He keeps a fluid approach to each individual student's needs, using material that is specifically geared toward that student, allowing the student to flourish in his own direction and at his own pace.