Steven Feifke (born June 21, 1991) is an American jazz pianist, composer, orchestrator, and arranger. In 2023, Feifke became the youngest musician to win The Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble at The 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
Early life and education Feifke was born in Lexington, Massachusetts. He attended Lexington High School and the New England Conservatory of Music Preparatory School. He attended NYU where he received a degree in Jazz Studies and Economics. He obtained a Master of Music in Jazz Composition from the Manhattan School of Music.
Musical career He has played with Chad Lefkowitz Brown, Steve Tyrell, Santino Fontana, Randy Brecker, Benny Benack III, Bryan Carter, and Alexa Tarantino.
Feifke lectured on orchestration and harmony at Yale University. He developed a curriculum which integrated the American civil rights movement with jazz pedagogy for Arts Mid-Hudson. Feifke also served as a Guest Artist-in-Residence at Moravian College. Feifke serves on the faculty for The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and Berklee College of Music.
Competitions Feifke is a Winner of the David Baker Prize of the Ravinia Music Festival, Second Place in the BMI Foundation Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize, and has twice been a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition.
Composition As a composer and orchestrator, he has written for artists such as Danny Janklow, Michael Dease, Ulysses Owens, Chris Norton, and Chad Lefkowitz-Brown. Feifke's debut album Peace in Time was released in 2015 featuring artists such as Andrew Gould and Jimmy Macbride.
Feifke has written original works for television and film media; his music can be heard on an episode of Jerry Seinfeld’s hit Netflix show “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” featuring former President Barack Obama.Seinfeld, Jerry (host) (30 December 2015) "Just Tell Him You're the President". Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Season 7. Episode 1. Netflix, Embassy Row, Sony Pictures Television. Feifke was commissioned by Catskill Jazz Factory to compose an orchestral piece that debuted at the New Generation Festival in Florence, Italy.
Endorsements Feifke is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
Discography As leader Album artistTitleYearLabelSteven FeifkePeace in Time2015IndependentBenny Benack III & Steven FeifkeSeason's Swingin' Greetings2019Ring Road RecordingsSteven FeifkeKinetic2021Outside in Music
As sideman Album artistTitleYearLabelNotesThe 8-Bit Big BandBackwards Compatible2021IndependentSidemanRaviv MarkovitzPulse2020IndependentSidemanChad LB Virtual Big BandQuarantine Standards2020Sound FrameSideman, arrangerAlexa TarantinoClarity2020Posi-Tone Sideman, composerJohn LakeSeven Angles2020Outside In MusicSidemanDanny JanklowWorld's Collide2019Outside in MusicSidemanChad Lefkowitz-Brown and Sonic MagicLive at The Bridge2019IndependentSidemanThe 8-Bit Big BandChoose Your Character!2019IndependentSidemanThe Birdland Big BandThe Birdland Big Band Live!2018Birdland RecordsArrangerChad Lefkowitz-BrownStandard Sessions2018IndependentSidemanAndrew GouldFirst Things First2018Outside in MusicSideman, composerChris NortonMr. Chris Norton2018UnknownArrangerOSU Jazz OrchestraSolid Gold2018Oklahoma State University Jazz StudiesArrangerAlexander ClaffyStandards: What Are You Doing With Your Life?2018SMK JazzArrangerThe 8-Bit Big BandPress Start!2018IndependentSidemanJoe Benjamin and a Mighty HandfulSwing Migration2017IndependentArrangerUlysses OwensFalling Forward2017Spice of Life RecordsSidemanGordon Webster ft. Charles TurnerThis.2017IndependentArrangerChad Lefkowitz-BrownOnward2017IndependentSideman, arrangerMatthew MunesesThreshold2015Independent SidemanBryan Carter Big BandTeaching Music Through Performance in Jazz2016IndependentSidemanNew Century Jazz QuintetIn Case You Missed Us2015Vivid SoundArrangerJeremy CicurelIs It You: A Tribute to Ray Cicurel2015IndependentSidemanDerek GanongOf Lesser Parts2013IndependentSideman
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