Steve Masakowski

Biography

Steve Masakowski, born Stephen Alphonse Masakowski on September 2, 1954, in New Orleans, Louisiana, developed an early passion for music influenced by The Beatles, leading him to play bass guitar at age fourteen in the rock band Truth, inspired by Cream. In high school, he shifted to guitar, studying harmony under a teacher who introduced him to jazz masters like Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, and Lenny Breau. He attended Berklee College of Music in 1974, earning a degree in music theory, arranging, and composition, then returned to New Orleans with jazz guitarist Emily Remler, co-founding the group Fourplay. From 1976 to 1978, he studied classical composition with Bert Braud at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts alongside future stars like Terence Blanchard, Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis, and Wynton Marsalis.[1][2][4]

In the early 1980s, Masakowski immersed himself in New Orleans' jazz scene, collaborating with local legends such as Earl Turbinton Jr., Alvin 'Red' Tyler, Willie Tee, Danny Barker, and James Black, while accompanying visitors like Randy Brecker, Tom Harrell, Dave Liebman, and Art Baron. He founded the electronic jazz group Mars with Larry Sieberth, James Singleton, and James Black, and co-established Composers Recording Studio with Patrice Fisher, Jimmy Robinson, and Denise Villere, recording artists including Harry Connick Jr., Ellis Marsalis Jr., and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Joining Astral Project in 1987, he toured with Dianne Reeves from 1993-1996, released albums on Blue Note Records, and leads Nova NOLA featuring his children, bassist Martin and vocalist Sasha Masakowski. His innovative style blends jazz, jazz fusion, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian elements, showcased through his inventions like the guitar-based keytar, switch pick, and custom seven-string guitars.[1][2][3][5]

As an educator, Masakowski joined the University of New Orleans (UNO) jazz program under Ellis Marsalis, becoming Chair of Jazz Studies in 2004 and holding the Coca-Cola Endowed Chair until retiring in 2022. His legacy includes numerous recordings, compositions for Astral Project, a book on jazz ear training, lessons in Guitar Player magazine, and repeated accolades as New Orleans' top guitarist by Gambit and Offbeat magazines, plus DownBeat recognition.[1][2][4]

Fun Facts

• Invented the guitar-based keytar (early guitar synthesizer), the switch pick for seamless fingerpicking-to-flatpicking transitions, and three custom seven-string guitars.[1][4]
• Co-founded Composers Recording Studio in 1982, serving as engineer/producer for Harry Connick Jr., Ellis Marsalis Jr., Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and others; it operated for about ten years.[1]
• Returned from Berklee with girlfriend Emily Remler (future jazz guitar star) to form Fourplay, unrelated to the later R&B group.[1]
• His band Mars blended jazz, electronic music, and visual art by Jon Graubarth, with Dave Liebman on their 1983 debut album.[1]

Associated Acts

• Masakowski Family - guitar
• Steve Masakowski & Friends

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Joe Pass - jazz guitar influence introduced by high school teacher (general stylistic inspiration) [high school, 1960s-early 1970s]
• Wes Montgomery - jazz guitar influence introduced by high school teacher (general stylistic inspiration) [high school, 1960s-early 1970s]
• Pat Martino - jazz guitar influence introduced by high school teacher (general stylistic inspiration) [high school, 1960s-early 1970s]
• Lenny Breau - jazz guitar influence introduced by high school teacher (general stylistic inspiration) [high school, 1960s-early 1970s]
• Bert Braud - classical composition and orchestration teacher (studies at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) [1976-1978]
• Ellis Marsalis - mentor and teacher at UNO, held same endowed chair (jazz program, duo performances) [1990s-2022]

Key Collaborators

• Emily Remler - girlfriend and co-founder of Fourplay (Fourplay group) [post-1974]
• Ellis Marsalis Jr. - duo performances and UNO colleague (duo recordings and performances) [late 1980s]
• James Singleton - bandmate in Mars and Astral Project (Mars album (1983), Astral Project) [1980s-present]
• Johnny Vidacovich - regular trio with Singleton (accompanying visiting musicians) [early 1980s]
• Dave Liebman - guest on Mars album and performances (Mars first album (1983)) [early 1980s]
• Dianne Reeves - touring band member (international tours) [1993-1996]
• Astral Project - long-term band member and composer (Elevado, VoodooBop) [1987-present]
• Martin Masakowski - son, bandmate in Nova NOLA and Masakowski Family (Nova NOLA, N.O. Escape, Wetlands) [2000s-present]
• Sasha Masakowski - daughter, bandmate in Nova NOLA and Masakowski Family (Nova NOLA, N.O. Escape, Wetlands) [2000s-present]

Artists Influenced

• Terence Blanchard - fellow student under Bert Braud (N/A) [1976-1978]
• Harry Connick Jr. - fellow student under Bert Braud, recorded at his studio (Composers Recording Studio sessions) [1976-1978, early 1980s]
• Branford Marsalis - fellow student under Bert Braud (N/A) [1976-1978]
• Wynton Marsalis - fellow student under Bert Braud (N/A) [1976-1978]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz, #post-bop