Steve Rudolph

Jazz Pianist - Composer - Educator - Yamaha Keyboard Artist

Steve Rudolph has had an inspiring career in his 50+ years of professional music making. Jazz Improv magazine states, “Rudolph is a savvy, swinging, glimmering heavyweight...simply outstanding.” He was awarded two Jazz Composition Fellowships from the PA Council on the Arts. With fourteen acclaimed CDs as a leader, he has served as producer, arranger and performer on many recordings including sessions with Johnny Coles, Bill Goodwin, Ali Ryerson, Matt Wilson, Drew Gress, Cal Collins, Jonathan Raggonese, Phil Haynes, Roger Humphries, Dwayne Dolphin, JD Walter and Vinny Valentino. His vast experience encompasses concert performances with many jazz masters including Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Terry Gibbs, Al Grey, and the Mills Brothers. Steve has toured throughout the U.S., India, Europe, Canada, Russia and the Caribbean.  At home in Harrisburg, PA he is the leader of many ensembles including the Harrisburg jazz Collective Big Band.  

Steve was born in Evansville and grew up near Boonville, Indiana. He studied trumpet and composition under scholarship at Butler University in Indianapolis where he discovered an inspiring jazz community.  Switching his main instrumental focus to the piano at age 22, Steve was hired by Buddy Morrow in 1977 to perform on the road with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.  Since moving to Harrisburg in 1978 to perform with his jazz trio and guest artists at the Holiday Inn Town, he has been largely responsible for the growth and development of the thriving jazz scene in Central PA. His devotion to the art of jazz inspired him to found the Central PA Friends of Jazz, now in its 43rd successful year of monthly concerts, youth band, jazz camp, and annual Central PA Jazz Festival.

Steve was the recipient of the 2002 Harrisburg Arts Award for dedication to the arts and community service and In 2023 he was inducted into the Central PA Music Hall of Fame.

Well known in Central PA for his Six Night a week, 22 yearlong job as house pianist at the Hilton Harrisburg (1990-2012), Steve is a Yamaha Keyboard Artist and is in demand as a clinician and performer. His detailed recording and touring information may be found at www.steverudolph.com

Link to hour long interview with Dave Pedrick - Working Musician Podcast - Jan. 2018 - discussion of Steve's time in Indiana, switch to piano, road experiences, 22 year long gig at the Hilton Harrisburg and more.

STORE + CDs & More!

GIGS - live music is best!!

Monthly concert at the West Shore Theater - Tickets on sale now!!

SPECIAL GUEST - BASSIST STEVE VARNER

HARRISBURG JAZZ COLLECTIVE BIG BAND – CENTRAL PA’S PREMIER BIG JAZZ BAND

ALL STANDARD SEATS: $15 HIGH TOP (SEATS 2): $35 BOOTH (SEATS 4-6): $80 WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING YOUR SEATS IN ADVANCE AT HTTPS://WWW.WESTSHORETHEATRE.ORG/TICKETS/ AS THESE REGULARLY SELL OUT.

FOUNDED IN OCTOBER OF 2014, STEVE RUDOLPH (PIANIST/COMPOSER AND FOUNDER OF THE CENTRAL PA FRIENDS OF JAZZ) & BILL PERBETSKY (TRUMPETER AND FORMER BAND DIRECTOR AT SUSQUEHANNA H.S.) CO-LEAD THE 16-PIECE ENSEMBLE. THE PLAYERS INCLUDE THE FINEST MUSICIANS FROM OUR AREA AND BEYOND PERFORMING MUSIC FROM THE HISTORIC BIG BANDS (ELLINGTON/BASIE/KENTON/ DORSEY) TO MORE MODERN BANDS (BUDDY RICH, THAD JONES, ROB MCCONNELL. GORDON GOODWIN, BOB MINTZER) AS WELL AS ORIGINAL MUSIC AND ARRANGEMENTS FROM MEMBERS AND FRIENDS. ORIGINALLY NAMED THE RIVER CITY BIG BAND, THE HJC BIG BAND IS HAPPY TO HAVE THE WEST SHORE THEATRE AS OUR NEW VENUE FOR REGULAR PERFORMANCES TO GO ALONG WITH OUR NEW NAME.

THE HARRISBURG JAZZ COLLECTIVE BIG BAND WILL BE FEATURING GUEST ARTISTS WITH THE BAND AT OUR REGULAR WEST SHORE APPEARANCES AND PERFORMING HOLIDAY CONCERTS IN DECEMBER.

$15 - in advance or at the door!

The Governor Mifflin Music Association and Erich Cawalla are excited to come together to produce "A Celebration of Governor Mifflin Music" on Thu. April 11, 2024 at the newly-renovated Governor Mifflin Senior High Auditorium. Featured will be Governor Mifflin Graduate ERICH CAWALLA AND HIS ALL-STAR BIG BAND WITH SPECIAL GUEST AMY BANKS as well as THE GM HIGH SCHOOL "STATESMEN" JAZZ ENSEMBLE, THE GM HIGH SCHOOL "GOVERNORS", and THE GM MIDDLE SCHOOL "DIPLOMATS" JAZZ ENSEMBLE". The show will also be presented as a Berks Jazz Fest-affiliated concert. All Tickets are General Admission and are $20.00 each. Doors Open at 6:15 PM / Showtime 7:00 PM

$20

JAZZENJOURNEY

san fedele

"The trip of a lifetime!"

Join us as we travel to the heart of Tuscany for a week of beautiful scenery, live jazz under the stars, gourmet food and wine - JazZenJourney to Italy July 15-22 (SOLD OUT)  Please join us next year - July 13-20, 2024!!

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