Steve Briody

Steve Briody's independently-released debut CD (2003) received much critical acclaim & a "Smoothie" award from Smoothjazz.com. His latest CD "Keep On Talkin", is his first major release, and features outstanding performances from Jeff Lorber, Eric Marienthal, and Greg Adams. Rippingtons'

keyboardist Bill Heller once again is the producer (thanks again, Bill!).

Steve, a relative of the late Tal Farlow, has been a busy guitarist in the NY area for some time. His guitar playing and writing has been found on themes for the NHL's New York Islanders, WPLJ Radio, MTV, Toyota, and countless others. Steve lives in Long Island NY, and always seems to be either playing, teaching, or watching Mets games. He and his wife Mary have an 8-year-old son Sean, who is much more interesting than his father.

an interview between steve briody
and tom huber regarding his introduction to
music and his self-titled debut album

TH - Well, how did it start?
SB - What do you mean?

TH - This "guitar" thing.
SB - Well, after learning some stuff from my big brother, Rich, when I was about 10, I attempted to lift some things off his cool Chicago and Santana records. The key word is "attempt". At that time, I was a much better pitcher in little league than I was a musician. I'm just now facing the fact, being in my 30s, that I probably will never pitch in the major leagues.

TH - Riveting. More details pertaining to music, please.
SB - I went to high school in Hicksville, Long Island. After that, I went to the State University of New York at Fredonia, where I played classical guitar and played and wrote for their big band. It was around that time that I had the pleasure of meeting Tal Farlow. He and my cousin Michele started dating at around that time. They later married.

TH - How cool is that?!
SB - Very... I dare anyone to name anyone who was as nice and unpretentious as he. At this time, I was inspired to transcribe a lot of jazz guitar. After that, I got a gig in Europe for a while with guys who were 800 times better than I was at the time. It actually helped me. After that, I went to grad school at the Manhattan School of Music to study with Jack Wilkins, who is so amazing it's almost ridiculous.

TH - Is jazz your only influence? I detect some funkiness and blues in your playing also.
SB - Thank you Thomas. I am a huge fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clapton, B.B. King, and a bunch of "crossover" players like Hiram Bullock, Larry Carlton, etc. This has helped because it's enabled me to play with so many different types of groups.

TH - And the idea for the CD?
SB - Well, after being lucky enough to have made a living as a guitarist for the last 10 years or so, I've made quite a few friends. During this time, while doing gigs, sessions, and teaching, I had been meaning to do a CD such as this, and finally got around to it. Tom, ask me if I'm smart.

TH - Are you?
SB - Yes, for asking Bill Heller to produce this thing! When I had gone over to his house to listen to some of the tracks he was working on, I knew 15 seconds into the first song that we had a winner. For that matter, I want to thank everyone who took part in the recording. When I was younger, I wasn't sure whether I would ever be working with world-class musicians, so this has worked out pretty well.

TH - Finally, I've heard you're a pretty slammin' Irish tenor. Is this true?
SB - I know of a good audiologist.