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STEVE GRESSWELL has been a professional musician for over thirty years and is listed in the INTERNATIONAL WHO'S WHO OF MUSIC (POPULAR). Steve writes, plays keyboards, records and produces his own music - using different professional musicians for different musical projects. Steve's first professional band was in 1970 when Steve was only 15 years old. The band name was JUSTIN CANNS. The members of Justin Canns were, Steve Gresswell, Dave Minty, Roger Fletcher, Pete Cox and Dave Harding. Justin Canns became successful very quickly - and they performed in the Rock Musical 'The Soldiers Are Coming' at the Arts Theatre in the West End of London. This show was highly acclaimed. In 1975 Steve worked on his own projects with drummer Mick Kirton (who later went on to work with the Groundhogs and Hawkwind). It was during this time that Steve was in Gyppo with Bob Moody, Mick Kirton, Steve Towner and Alan Arkless. It was also in 1977 that Steve first began his training as Sound Engineer/Producer at Multium Studios in Southill Park, Bracknell - under the expert guidance of Engineer/Producer Doug Gleave. In 1973 Steve has the idea for his own Musical Production - a Rock Oratorio called Story of the Gods. Steve began to write the music and work on the idea he had for 'Gods'. This project took up many of the following years (whilst he still continued with his touring and writing other music). Steve formed his next band Scorpio (a Rock Band) in 1977. Scorpio was Steve Gresswell (Founder member/Songwriter/Keyboards), Mick Whelan (Bass Guitar/Songwriter), Kenny Serth (Drums), Kevin Ball (Vocals/Songwriter in original line-up) Mike McDonald (Vocals/Songwriter), Harry Brzezinski (Guitar/Songwriter), Nick Hollings (Guitar/Songwriter in original line-up), and Pete Brill (Guitar). Scorpio toured extensively throughout the South of England, as well as Denmark and Norway. Scorpio had a large following, and sold out each venue they played. The music press loved Scorpio, and reviews on the band were frequent and favourable. Scorpio released a single on the Quicksilver label - 'Taking England By Storm'. They also released the single Express Yourself under the pseudonym Oddjob which charted in the UK Disco Charts, and which launched the Lighting Record Label - part of Trojan Records. During all this time Steve was still working on the concept of Story of the Gods. At the end of 1977 the first part of 'Gods' was performed by Scorpio at the Hexagon, Reading - where Steve received a standing ovation. This reaction inspired Steve to continue working on 'Gods' - adding orchestral parts. So that Steve could put more of his energy into 'Gods' he disbanded Scorpio. In 1981 Steve formed The Steve Gresswell Band using top quality Reading musicians. The Steve Gresswell Band was formed purely to perform Story of the Gods. In October of 1981 'Gods' was performed at Reading University by The Steve Gresswell Band, together with a full orchestra and with the backing of Radio 210. The show was an enormous hit. Since that performance, Steve has added a choral arrangement - both this and the orchestral arrangement are integral parts of the Music along with the Rock Band. In 1982 Steve produced and released a single by his band Dream called Just For You. This single became a favourite with radio listeners and became Radio Manchester's 'Record of the Week'. In 1984 Steve formed Poiema as a special project for the Play Cross Purposes which was written by his close friend and renowned playwright Don McGovern. Poiema performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for three weeks in the August, and at Bridge Lane Theatre in London in March 1985. Steve recorded and produced a single of two of the songs from the play - performed by his band. This is the time that Steve started working with Richard Demarco OBE, and became his Technical Director for all his productions. During 1984 Steve also worked on a collaboration with the late Dave Byron of Uriah Heep. In 1985 Steve briefly joined Heavy Rock band After Dark during which time they released the single Call of the Wild on the Laser Records label. After Dark toured the UK extensively - with rave reviews from Kerrang! After the tour they returned to the recording studio to record their debut album Masked by Midnight. After he left After Dark Steve formed his own band Scorpio II, with Mick Whelan and Caro Adler. In 1986 Steve formed a new band, Guardian Angel, with Mick Whelan, Cameron Robson, Neil Fryer. Guardian Angel's style was compared favourably to Genesis. In 1987 Steve changed the line-up and the band played at the Official Party for the Edinburgh Tattoo Festival - in the Scottish National Gallery - the first time any band had been allowed to play in such a venue. This line up consisted of Steve Gresswell on keyboards, Phil Mercy on guitars, John Procter on bass, Chris Wigmore on vocals and Caro Adler on vocals. In 1988 Steve formed his own Record Label Sumo to promote his own material. In 1989 Steve released the Official Record under his SG Band for the Lockerbie Air Disaster, in collaboration with Rick Kemp of Steeleye Span. Steve re-recorded his previously successful track Just For You. Also in 1989 Steve recorded and produced the single Wait A Minute by pop duo Vincent. The track was voted Top Dance Single by Mecca Leisure as the most requested record by the public. In 1990 Steve collaborated with top Czech Rock Guitarist Karel Espandr. Steve recorded and produced an album for Karel, as well as writing some of the tracks on it and playing all the keyboard parts. This was a unique album, especially as it was the first time a Czech musician had been allowed to record in the UK. During 1990 Steve produced and played keyboards on the album Border Crossings by top Folk Singer John Wright. |
Also in 1990 Steve co-ordinated the recording, production and release of a single to raise funds for a child who had Cerebral Palsy. Steve wrote the song Child of Love. The single was released and was very successful - raising awareness and much needed finances. Steve co-ordinated the making of a video which was screened extensively. It was also during 1990 that Steve decided to record and produce a solo album called Spirit of Freedom. The album was released by Steve's own label Sumo initially. In 1991 Steve recorded, produced and played keyboards on the follow up album to Border Crossings, Of An Autumn Day by top Folk Singer John Wright. In 1992/3 Steve formed another Rock Band called Coalition for the purposes of recording an album of tracks he had written. Because of demand, Steve re-mastered and re-released Spirit of Freedom on CD format in 1994. Also during this time he re-recorded the single You Make Me See which was the track previously released by Poiema as a tribute to Don McGovern who died of cancer. In 1995 Steve recorded and produced a follow up album to his successful Spirit of Freedom. This was called Visions. During 1996/7 Steve found a new line-up for his band Coalition and put together a new album full of his material. This was with rock singer Andy Lyness and ace guitar-man Phil Mercy (both have solo albums available). Coalition spent many months in the studio, and Steve eventually finished the production of the album in late 1996. The album Rise of the Phoenix was the result of this hard work - and to date has been well received with top Canadian and American Radio Stations playing the tracks. In 1997 Steve recorded a single with American guitarist/singer Brent Morley whilst he was in the UK. In 1997/8 Steve worked with Reading lyricist Chris Rogers to put together the 'Country Rock' single Good Morning Day - using top Reading musicians/singers. Good Morning Day is currently being played by radio stations in the UK, as well as America. During 1998/99 Steve was commissioned by Professor Richard Demarco OBE to write a musical interpretation of the Ballad of Reading Gaol (Oscar Wilde). In August 2001 Steve took a group of students to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – the performance was called Spirit of Freedom and was a multimedia show, using video, music and dance. In August 2001 Steve was offered an Exclusive Publishing and Licensing Deal with New York based DSM Producers, an affiliate of Warner Chappell. Steve signed the contract on 15 October 2001. In February 2002 Steve was commissioned by international Ice Hockey Team, the Bracknell Bees, to write a theme song for them. This has been recorded and produced by Steve Gresswell, using his own studio and also the world famous SARM Recording Studios. In August 2002 Steve took a second show to the Edinburgh Fringe – an Oscar Wilde Presentation – a musical interpretation Steve has written of Oscar Wilde’s Ballad of Reading Gaol. This show was performed at the Apex Hotel in Edinburgh, the first time such a prestigious venue had been used for the Fringe Festival. Steve is also in the process of recording the Ballad of Reading Gaol and West End star Jamie Read will be taking the lead role. Jamie participated in the Fringe Festival performance. In October 2002 Steve took a job on mastering and producing a CD for Scots Folk Group 3D. The CD went on sale in December 2002. Steve was nominated for a British Composers Award in 2003. Steve re-recorded Child of Love in 2007 with Steve Murray and The London Community Gospel Choir. Steve re-recorded and produced Mungo Jerry's "In The Summertime" in 2009 - with a "country rock" feel. Steve is currently working on a new Prog Rock album. Steve is a member of the following organisations:-
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