Steven Frank LaSpina (born March 24, 1954) is an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

bassist who plays both upright and electric bass.

Life and career

Steve LaSpina was born in

Wichita Falls, Texas Wichita Falls ( ) is a city in and the seat of government of Wichita County, Texas, United States. It is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay, and Wichita counties. Accordin ...

; his father and grandfather both played in dance bands. He attended the

University of Illinois The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U of I, Illinois, University of Illinois, or UIUC) is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the Univer ...

and

DePaul University DePaul University is a private university, private, Catholic higher education, Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission, Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th-centu ...

, and first began playing professionally in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

in the 1970s. He played with

Bunky Green Vernice "Bunky" Green (born April 23, 1935) is an American jazz alto saxophonist and educator. Biography Green was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he played the alto saxophone, mainly at a local club called "The Brass Rail". Green's fir ...

, Larry Novak, Joe Daley (1975–79), and

Chet Baker Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the "Prince of Cool". Baker earned much attention and ...

(1978). In 1978 he also began working with

Marian McPartland Margaret Marian McPartland OBE ( Turner;Hasson, Claire"Marian McPartland: Jazz Pianist: An Overview of a Career" PhD Thesis. Retrieved 12 August 2008. 20 March 1918 – 20 August 2013), was an English–American jazz pianist, composer, and wri ...

, with whom he would collaborate until 1986. He moved to

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

in 1979 and played with

Mel Lewis Melvin Sokoloff (May 10, 1929 – February 2, 1990), known professionally as Mel Lewis, was an American jazz drummer, session musician, professor, and author. He received fourteen Grammy Award nominations. Biography Early years Lewis was ...

's orchestra (1978–82),

Stan Getz Stanley Getz (February 2, 1927 – June 6, 1991) was an American jazz saxophonist. Playing primarily the tenor saxophone, Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, with his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of ...

(1986-87), Jim Hall (from 1988),

Andy LaVerne Andy LaVerne (born December 4, 1947) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. Education and musical career Born in New York City, LaVerne studied at Juilliard School of Music, Berklee College, and the New England Conservat ...

(from 1989), and

Benny Carter Bennett Lester Carter (August 8, 1907 – July 12, 2003) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. With Johnny Hodges, he was a pioneer on the alto saxophone. From the beginning of his career ...

(latter half of the 1990s). Aside from these associations, LaSpina has played with

Toots Thielemans Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, Baron Thielemans (29 April 1922 – 22 August 2016), known professionally as Toots Thielemans, was a Belgian jazz musician. He was mostly known for his chromatic harmonica playing, as well as his guitar and whistl ...

, Joe Williams,

Dave Liebman David Liebman (born September 4, 1946) is an American saxophonist, flautist and jazz educator. He is known for his innovative lines and use of atonality. He was a frequent collaborator with pianist Richie Beirach. In June 2010, he received ...

Richie Beirach Richard Alan Beirach (born 23 May 1947) is an American jazz pianist and composer. Early life Beirach was born in New York City. He initially studied both classical music and jazz. While still attending high school, he took lessons from pianist L ...

Bob Brookmeyer Robert Edward "Bob" Brookmeyer (December 19, 1929 – December 15, 2011) was an American jazz valve trombonist, pianist, arranger, and composer. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Brookmeyer first gained widespread public attention as a member of Ge ...

Al Cohn Al Cohn (November 24, 1925 – February 15, 1988) was an American jazz saxophonist, arranger and composer. He came to prominence in the band of clarinetist Woody Herman and was known for his longtime musical partnership with fellow saxophonist ...

Zoot Sims John Haley "Zoot" Sims (October 29, 1925 – March 23, 1985) was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor but also alto (and, later, soprano) saxophone. He first gained attention in the "Four Brothers" sax section of Woody Herman's big ...

Pat Martino Pat Martino (born Patrick Carmen Azzara; August 25, 1944 – November 1, 2021) was an American jazz guitarist and composer. Biography Martino was born Patrick Carmen Azzara in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, to father Carmen "Mickey" ...

, and

Tommy Flanagan Thomas Lee Flanagan (March 16, 1930 – November 16, 2001) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He grew up in Detroit, initially influenced by such pianists as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, and Nat King Cole, and then by bebop musicians. ...

. He has taught bass and improvisation at

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then-Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, the ...

and the College of St. Rose. LaSpina is currently on the faculty at

William Paterson University William Paterson University, officially William Paterson University of New Jersey (WPUNJ), is a public university in Wayne, New Jersey. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education. Founded in 1855 and was named after American ju ...

.Bill Milkowski
"Steve LaSpina"
JazzTimes, April 2002. LaSpina has recorded extensively as a leader for

Steeplechase Records SteepleChase Records is a jazz record company and label based in Copenhagen, Denmark. SteepleChase was founded in 1972 by Nils Winther, who was a student at Copenhagen University at the time. He began recording concerts at Jazzhus Montmartre, wh ...

since the early 1990s.

Discography

As leader

* ''New Horizons'' (SteepleChase, 1992) * ''Eclipse'' (SteepleChase, 1994) * ''When I'm Alone'' (SteepleChase, 1995) * ''Story Time'' (SteepleChase, 1996) * ''When Children Smile'' (SteepleChase, 1997) * ''Distant Dream'' (SteepleChase, 1998) * ''The Bounce'' (SteepleChase, 2000) * ''Remember When'' (SteepleChase, 2003) * ''Play Room'' (SteepleChase, 2006)

As sideman

With

* ''

Benny Carter Songbook ''Songbook'' is an album by American saxophonist and composer Benny Carter, released in 1996 by MusicMasters Records.Benny Carter Songbook Volume II ''Songbook Volume II'' is an album by American saxophonist and composer Benny Carter, released in 1997 by MusicMasters Records.New York Nights New York Knights may refer to: *New York Knights (arena football), an arena football team that played the Arena Football League during the 1988 season *New York/New Jersey Knights, an American football team that played in the World League of America ...

'' (MusicMasters 1997) With Chris Connor * ''Live'' (Applause, 1983) * ''Lover Come Back to Me: Live at Sweet Basil'' (Evidence, 1995) * ''Haunted Heart'' (HighNote, 2001) With

Joe Diorio Joseph Louis Diorio (August 6, 1936 – February 2, 2022) was an American jazz guitarist. He performed with Sonny Stitt, Hal Crook, Eddie Harris, Ira Sullivan, Stan Getz, Pat Metheny, Horace Silver, Anita O'Day, and Freddie Hubbard. In recent ye ...

* ''More Than Friends'' (RAM, 1994) * ''Narayani'' (RAM, 1997) * ''I Remember You'' (RAM, 1998) With Jim Hall * ''

Jim Hall's Three ''Jim Hall's Three'' is an album by guitarist Jim Hall recorded in 1986 and released by the Concord Jazz label.Concord Rec ...

'' (Concord Jazz, 1986) * '' These Rooms'' (Denon, 1988) * ''

All Across the City ''All Across the City'' is an album by American jazz guitarist Jim Hall recorded in 1988 and released on the Concord Jazz label.

'' (Concord Jazz, 1989) * ''Live at Town Hall Vol. 1'' (Musicmasters, 1991) * ''Live at Town Hall Vol. 2'' (Musicmasters, 1991) * ''Subsequently'' (MusicMasters, 1992) * ''Something Special'' (MusicMasters, 1993) * ''Live at Birdland'' (ArtistShare, 2012) With

Morgana King Maria Grazia Morgana Messina (June 4, 1930 – March 22, 2018), known as Morgana King, was an American jazz singer and actress.Liner notes by Joel Dorn – Morgana King album ''The Complete Reprise Recordings'' (2000).Liner notes by Ed Osborne � ...

* ''Simply Eloquent'' (Muse, 1986) * ''Stardust'' (CBS/Sony 1987) * ''Another Time, Another Space'' (Muse, 1988) With

* ''

Severe Clear ''Severe Clear'' is a 2009 documentary film directed by American documentary maker Kristian Fraga, starring and using footage shot by First Lieutenant Mike Scotti of United States Marine Corps Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 4th Marines. The film ...

'' (SteepleChase, 1990) * ''Double Standard'' (Triloka, 1993) * ''First Tango in New York'' (Musidisc, 1993) * '' Now It Can Be Played'' (SteepleChase, 1993) * '' Standard Eyes'' (SteepleChase, 1994) * ''Glass Ceiling'' (SteepleChase, 1994) * ''Serenade to Silver'' (SteepleChase, 1996) * ''Stan Getz in Chappaqua'' (SteepleChase, 1997) With

Susannah McCorkle Susannah McCorkle (January 1, 1946 – May 19, 2001) was an American jazz singer. Life and career A native of Berkeley, California, McCorkle studied Italian literature at the University of California at Berkeley before dropping out to move to ...

* ''The People That You Never Get to Love'' (Inner City, 1981) * ''Thanks for The Memory-Songs of Leo Robin'' (Pausa, 1984) * ''How Do You Keep The Music Playing?'' (Pausa, 1986) * ''Dream'' (Pausa, 1987) With

* ''Personal Choice'' (Concord Jazz, 1983) * ''Plays the Music of Billy Strayhorn'' (Concord Jazz, 1987) * ''Live at the Carlyle'' (Prevue, 1999) With Larry Schneider * ''Mohawk'' (SteepleChase, 1994) * ''Freedom Jazz Dance'' (SteepleChase, 1996) * ''Jazz'' (SteepleChase, 2001) With

Jack Wilkins Jack Rivers Lewis (born June 4, 1944), known professionally as Jack Wilkins, is a jazz guitarist. Career A native of New York City, Wilkins grew up listening to his parents' music, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday. He ...

* ''Call Him Reckless'' (Musicmasters, 1989) * ''Trioart'' (Arabesque, 1998) * ''Until It's Time'' (MAXJAZZ, 2009) With others *

Claude Bolling Claude Bolling (10 April 1930 – 29 December 2020) was a French jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and occasional actor. Biography He was born in Cannes, France, and studied at the Conservatory of Nice, Nice Conservatory, and then in Paris. A c ...

, ''Jazz a La Francaise'' (CBS, 1984) *

Nick Brignola Nicholas Thomas "Nick" Brignola (July 17, 1936 – February 8, 2002) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist. Biography Brignola was born on July 17, 1936 in Troy, New York. He was born into a musical family in which his father played the tu ...

, '' Poinciana'' (Reservoir, 1998) *

Alexis Cole Alexis Cole is an American jazz singer. Career Cole was born in Queens, New York. Her father and grandmother were both jazz singers and pianists. She grew up in South Florida, where she studied Musical Theater at the New World School of the Arts ...

, ''Someday My Prince Will Come'' (Venus, 2009) * Cynthia Crane &

Mike Renzi Michael Ernest Renzi (April 28, 1941 – September 29, 2021) was an American composer, music director, pianist, and jazz musician. Renzi graduated from the Boston Conservatory in 1973 and from Berklee College of Music in 1974. He was a musical ...

, ''Smoky Bar Songs for the No Smoking Section'' (Lookoutjazz, 1994) *

Brad Goode Bradley Mitchell Goode (born October 10, 1963, in Chicago) is an American jazz trumpeter, bassist, drummer, composer and music educator. Career Goode worked as a sideman with Eddie Harris, Ira Sullivan, Barrett Deems, Ernie Krivda, Jack DeJo ...

, ''By Myself'' (SteepleChase, 2001) * Jerry Hahn, ''Time Changes'' (Enja, 1995) *

Nancy Harrow Nancy Harrow (born October 3, 1930, New York City) is an American jazz singer and songwriter. Career Harrow studied classical piano beginning at age seven, then decided to pursue careers in dancing and singing. She released an album for Candid ...

, ''Street of Dreams'' (Poljazz, 1989) *

Fred Hersch Fred Hersch (born October 21, 1955) is an American jazz pianist, educator and HIV/AIDS activist. He was the first person to play weeklong engagements as a solo pianist at the Village Vanguard in New York City. He has recorded more than 70 of his ...

, ''The French Collection'' (EMI/Angel, 1989) * Fred Hersch, ''Red Square Blue'' (Angel, 1993) *

Vic Juris Victor Edward Jurusz Jr. (September 26, 1953 – December 31, 2019), known professionally as Vic Juris, was an American jazz guitarist. Music career Juris was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, but he moved with his family to Parsippany early i ...

, ''Night Tripper'' (SteepleChase, 1995) * Vic Juris, ''Music of Alec Wilder'' (Double-Time, 1996) *

Dick Katz Richard Aaron Katz (March 13, 1924 – November 10, 2009) was an American jazz pianist, arranger and record producer. He freelanced throughout much of his career, and worked in a number of ensembles. He co-founded Milestone Records in 1966 with O ...

, ''3wayPlay'' (Reservoir, 1993) *

, '' The Return'' (Muse, 1987) * Mark Murphy, ''Beauty and the Beast'' (Muse, 1987) * Mark Murphy, ''Some Time Ago'' (HighNote, 2000) *

Portia Nelson Portia Nelson (born Betty Mae Nelson; May 27, 1920 – March 6, 2001) was an American popular singer, songwriter, actress, and author. She was best known for her appearances in 1950s cabarets, where she sang soprano. In 1965, she portrayed ...

, ''This Life Her Songs and Her Friends'' (1996) *

Mary Osborne Mary Osborne (July 17, 1921 – March 4, 1992) was an American jazz guitarist and guitar manufacturer. She began performing at a young age and was featured on a radio program in North Dakota, where she grew up. In New York City during the 1940s, ...

, ''Now and Then'' (Stash, 1982) * Mary Osborne, ''A Memorial'' (Stash, 1992) *

Doug Raney Doug Raney (August 29, 1956 – May 1, 2016) was an American jazz guitarist. He was the son of jazz guitarist Jimmy Raney. Career Raney was born in New York City. He began to play the guitar when he was 14, beginning with rock and blues. He was ...

, ''Blues On a Par'' (SteepleChase, 1994) *

Spike Robinson Henry Bertholf "Spike" Robinson (January 16, 1930 – October 29, 2001) was a jazz tenor saxophonist. He began playing at age twelve, recording on several labels, including Discovery, Hep and Concord. However, he sought an engineering degree and ...

& Al Cohn, ''Henry B. Meets Alvin G.: Once in a Wild'' (Capri, 1987) * Bobby Scott, ''Slowly'' (MusicMasters, 1991) *

Carol Sloane Carol Sloane (born March 5, 1937) is an American jazz singer born in Providence, Rhode Island, who has been singing professionally since she was 14, although for a time in the 1970s she worked as a legal secretary in Raleigh, North Carolina. In ...

, ''I Never Went Away'' (HighNote, 2001) * Louis Smith, ''Strike Up the Band'' (SteepleChase, 1991) *

Jeremy Steig Jeremy Steig (September 23, 1942 – April 13, 2016)Peter Keepnews, "Jeremy ...

, ''Jigsaw'' (Triloka, 1992) * Loren Stillman, ''Trio Alto Vol. 1'' (SteepleChase, 2006) *

John Tchicai John Martin Tchicai ( ; 28 April 1936 – 8 October 2012) was a Danish free jazz saxophonist and composer. Biography Tchicai was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to a Danish mother and a Congolese father. The family moved to Aarhus, where he st ...

, ''In Monk's Mood'' (SteepleChase, 2009) *

Dave Tofani Dave Tofani is an American saxophonist and woodwind player, and composer. As a session musician he has performed on over 500 jazz, pop, and rock recordings such as the clarinet solo on " Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" by Soft Cell.AllMusic Dave Tofani ...

, ''Nights at the Inn'' (SoloWinds, 2007) *

Iris Williams Iris Williams OBE (born 20 April 1944) is a Welsh singer. Williams reached the peak of her popularity during the 1980s. Early life and education Williams was born in Rhydyfelin. Brought up in a children's home in Tonyrefail, and later adopted ...

, ''I'm Glad There Is You'' (Sea Ker, 1995) * Eliot Zigmund, ''Starlight'' (Jazz Today)

References

Leonard Feather Leonard Geoffrey Feather (13 September 1914 – 22 September 1994) was a British-born jazz pianist, composer, and producer, who was best known for his music journalism and other writing. Biography Feather was born in London, England, into an u ...

and Ira Gitler, ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz''. Oxford, 1999, p. 402.

External links

Steve LaSpina website.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laspina, Steve 1954 births Living people American jazz double-bassists Male double-bassists American jazz bass guitarists American male bass guitarists People from Wichita Falls, Texas SteepleChase Records artists University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumni DePaul University alumni William Paterson University alumni New York University faculty William Paterson University faculty Guitarists from Texas 20th-century American bass guitarists Jazz musicians from Texas 21st-century double-bassists 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians