Steve Raybine is one of the premiere smooth jazz musicians as well as composers in the world of jazz today.  Recognized as a "vibraphone virtuoso," he is commonly referred to as "Master of the Mallets." Steve simply excels on the vibraphone as well as other percussion instruments.  In addition to these, Steve writes most of his music on a piano, and is a phenomenal pianist.  Steve has played in many well known venues, such as in the Genuine Jazz Festival in Breckenridge, Colorado, The Omaha Riverfront Jazz Festival, in Omaha Nebraska, The Taste of Colorado, in Denver Colorado, and many other venues including the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland, as one of the founding members of the progressive jazz ensemble, Auracle, which featured college buddy and band mate, Rick Braun on trumpet.  In addition to being a extremely talented performer, Steve has a very unique passion for music.  As a student, Steve graduated from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in New York, where he received his undergraduate degree. After numerous years with Auracle, Steve returned to college to receive his Masters from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and thereafter his Doctorate in Music from the University of Iowa.  When he is not composing, recording, producing or performing, Steve teaches piano, percussion, and the vibraphone to his many students in Omaha, Nebraska..  

    Steve generally performs with a 5 to 6 piece band, which typically includes him on vibes and percussion, the multi-talented Chad Stoner on saxophone, and a staple of highly talented musicians on bass, keyboard, guitar, and drum set.  Steve may include a vocalist to accompany him on songs such as "Stormy," (from Balance Act) which features the talented Elaine Stoner or "Sunny," from Bad Kat Karma, which features a rising star, Rashad McPherson.  Steve currently has released 2 CDs. His first CD, Balance Act, was released in 2000, and it contains many of his original favorites.  Most of these songs feature Steve on the "vibes", such as the uniquely original "San Diego Surf," "Tree of Life," which has a certain mesmerizing, Disney-like, moviesque sound to it, or Steve on the grand piano, in the compellingly beautiful ballad,  "Jonathan's Dream."

    Steve's second and latest CD, Bad Kat Karma, was released on BAD KAT Records, LLC, in early 2005, has a more diverse song selection.   There are funky, upbeat songs, such as "Bop City," which features Nelson Rangell on alto sax and "Bad Kat Karma," Raybine's first hit single, which was aired on over 63 radio stations across the country and Europe, as well as internet and XM Satellite's Watercolours Channel, and cable TV's Music Choice. Bad Kat Karma's memorable rifts bring a refreshing new sound to the smooth jazz world.  Raybine's second release,  "Breezin',"is a compelling cover of the George Benson iconic classic, is produced in L.A. by superstar Rick Braun and features Steve on vibes, Braun on keyboards, and Randy Jacobs on guitar.  

    BKK also features some strikingly beautiful ballads, particularly the gorgeous "Breckenridge Blue," featuring the duet of Raybine on vibes and Stoner on sax. "Breckenridge Blue," named after the beautiful mountain vistas in Breckenridge, Colorado, has just been released as Raybine's third single to radio stations in August, 2006.  Other notable ballads from BKK include "Second Chance," a lovely piece featuring Raybine on piano, and "Indigo Night," with Rick Braun on muted trumpet.   Finally, a groovin' Latin salsa tune entitled, "Cha Cha Cool," includes a terrific horn section and is indeed, the favorite of many Raybine afficionados.  
   
    To learn more about Steve, visit his website by clicking here, or check out some of his performing photo imagery here.