Steve Dress, Bassist

Steve Dress brings his lyrical sound and musical sensitivity to the Double Bass. Steve is a distinguished graduate of the Juilliard School where he, the recipient of the Cartwright Scholarship, studied under the virtuoso Eugene Levinson, Principal Bass of the New York Philharmonic. In 1998, Steve was 1st Runner-up in the Juilliard Concerto Competition, providing him with the opportunity to debut in New York City’s famous stage at Paul Recital Hall. He has been a featured Bassist in New York’s most prestigious and legendary venues as a soloist and chamber musician including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and The Juilliard Theater with members of the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

As a special guest of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Principal Concertmaster, Martin Chalifour, and The Sonus Quartet, Steve performed in a series of chamber music concerts during the inaugural season at Walt Disney Concert Hall. He has now made a home in Los Angeles, enjoying the unique musical opportunities available in America’s entertainment capital. Recent performances include collaborations with a diverse cast of renowned artists and ensembles including The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, The Jacaranda Chamber Music Series, Andrea Boccelli, Natalie Cole, U2, Reba McIntyre, and Jeff Beck. Steve has the distinct pleasure of a myriad of television performances including The Grammy Awards, The Jay Leno Show, and the American Music Awards. Steve also serves as Double Bassist for the critically acclaimed Dakah Hip-Hop Orchestra, performing at the South by Southwest Music Festival (Austin, TX) and JazzFest (New Orleans, LA). 

As a recording artist, Steve regularly collaborates with Grammy Award winning Composers and Producers David Foster (Andrea Boccelli, Jackie Evanchko), Michael Jay (Celine Dion), and Pat Leonard (Madonna, Pat Monahan). Additionally, Steve has performed on numerous Motion Picture Soundtracks including Alice in Wonderland, Argo, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Hangover 3, The Lone Ranger, Man of Steel, and Despicable Me. As a country performer, Steve regularly appears with RCA recording artist, Christian Kane, including an exceptional performance at the Country Thunder Music Festival, where he shared the stage with Brooks and Dunn and Big and Rich. In addition, he has contributed his talents to award winning artists, Lady Gaga, Beck, Chris Botti, and Peter Gabriel while continuing to practice his more classical work through regular engagements in La Jolla (CA), Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles.

“Dress is an astoundingly animated bassist with skills that come from either heaven or hell on electric as well as acoustic instruments”‚ -Lauri Shaw, Music Connection,