Steve Rudolph - Jazz Pianist, Composer, Educator, and Yamaha Keyboard Artist

With a remarkable career spanning over 50 years, Steve Rudolph has established himself as a distinguished figure in the world of jazz. Praised by Jazz Improv magazine as a "savvy, swinging, glimmering heavyweight... simply outstanding," Steve has earned two Jazz Composition Fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. He has released fourteen acclaimed CDs as a leader and contributed as a producer, arranger, and performer on numerous recordings alongside jazz greats such as Johnny Coles, Bill Goodwin, Ali Ryerson, Matt Wilson, Drew Gress, Cal Collins, Jonathan Ragonese, Phil Haynes, Roger Humphries, Dwayne Dolphin, JD Walter, Joe Hunt, and Vinny Valentino.

Steve's extensive performance experience includes collaborations with legendary jazz masters like Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Terry Gibbs, Al Grey, Mark Murphy, Scott Hamilton, and the Mills Brothers. His touring career has taken him across the United States, India, Europe, Canada, Russia, and the Caribbean. Based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Steve leads several ensembles, including the Harrisburg Jazz Collective.

Born in Evansville and raised near Boonville, Indiana, Steve studied trumpet and composition on scholarship at Butler University in Indianapolis, where he discovered a vibrant jazz community. At age 22, he shifted his primary focus to piano and was soon hired by Buddy Morrow in 1977 to tour with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Since relocating to Harrisburg in 1978, Steve has been a driving force behind the growth of Central Pennsylvania's jazz scene, performing regularly with his trio and guest artists.

His passion for jazz led him to found the Central PA Friends of Jazz, now celebrating over 45 years of monthly concerts, youth bands, jazz camps, and the annual Central PA Jazz Festival. Steve also established the Steve Rudolph Big Band in 1983 and the Harrisburg Jazz Collective in 2024.

Steve's dedication to the arts and community has been recognized with the 2002 Harrisburg Arts Award, his 2023 induction into the Central PA Music Hall of Fame, and the 2025 Peacemakers In Our Midst award from the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg.

Well known in Central Pennsylvania for his 22-year tenure as the house pianist at the Hilton Harrisburg (1990-2012), Steve is a Yamaha Keyboard Artist and a sought-after clinician and performer. His extensive discography includes over 40 published CDs featuring collaborations with many notable jazz artists. For detailed recording and touring information, visit 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.