Master of the Mallets-Steve Raybine

Steve is the Artist of The Month on the K & K Sound website. For more information you may visit: http://www.kksound.com/

Watch videos of the Steve Raybine Band performing at The Genuine Jazz Festival in Breckenridge, CO(the following links are to YouTube):

The noted jazz journalist Scott Yanow has reviewed Steve's In The Driver's Seat. Read the review here.

Steve's performance at Jazz on the Green, Southwest Florida's Premier Jazz Event, on October 26-28th 2007 was very well received. For your examination, some images of the event, including a ID badge, two pages from the official 2007 Concert Program, and a newspaper clipping.

Here are three photos of Steve taken at the 2006 Omaha Riverfront Jazz and Blues Festival. Photo credit: Herb Thompson.

"In the Driver's Seat is a gigantic step forward for Steve Raybine within the Smooth Jazz genre. The CD is masterfully done. The production, the rhythmic drive and the musicianship is all top level and takes Raybine to a much higher level as a performer, composer and producer. The CD features some killer tracks with brilliant horn sections, exciting rhythmic grooves and great melodic hooks. We really like this record."

That “Bad” vibes “Kat” is back, with his best album yet! Steve Raybine’s created a killer set with IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT, giving jazz vibes fans (And I’m totally there!) something really impressive to sink their musical teeth into. Make no mistake about it, this is World-class jazz - from contemporary to straight-ahead, from solo ballads to funk ala T.O.P., complete with horn section. Steve also includes some compelling excursions into blues and Latin bags, creating even more excitement and depth to this project. Hey, would we expect anything less from Mr. Raybine? To quote Sandy Shore from four years ago, “When we refer to Steve Raybine as an accomplished musician, it's an understatement. Steve is not only a virtuoso vibraphonist, percussionist, and composer/arranger, he is also an instructor and clinician." Bottom line here is this… Steve Raybine’s IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT is a must-have for your music library! - SCOTT O'BRIEN

Steve was the subject of an article just published in The Reader which you may read here.

Radio Interviews: Steve has been interviewed several times for radio about his work. You may listen to those interviews via the following links to Mp3 files:

Steve was interviewed by two radio stations in 2006 as his record Bad Kat Karma gained nationwide airplay. The interviews are available here for download as Mp3s. Enjoy.

Steve Raybine was selected in 2006 to be in the Independent Artist Registry, which is a prestigious acknowledgment. Interestingly, thousands of bands and performers applied from all over the Midwest U.S., but only 44 were chosen and Steve was one of them.

From the I.A.R. Website:The Independent Artist Registry is a talent scouting service for over 100 of the nation's top record labels. Its goal is to find and promote the US's top independent artists to a quarter million music industry professionals, including A&R reps. The I.A.R. evaluates artists in four categories and only selects the best artists for induction into the Registry.

Read the letter of inclusion from the Independent Artist Registry

Read the Independent Artist Registry's press materials for Steve.

Read the Independent Artist Registry's press card for Steve.

See a complete screenshot of Steve's webpage at the Independent Artist Registry website.

The Independent Artist Registry is affiliated with the Music Phone Book, which is a national publication.

Steve's recording, Bad Kat Karma, received a very favorable response from jazz fans, the press, and radio stations worldwide.

What others are saying about Bad Kat Karma:

Cliff Gorov, All That Jazz Inc., October 3, 2005:
"I've LOVED Bad Kat Karma since the first listen. Hot, fresh & unique. It's time for vibes!"

Elaine Miller, freelance writer and contributor to Smoothnotesandnews.com, August 1, 2005:
"Steve Raybine is known as 'Master of the Mallets.' BKK has a nice groove with intoxicating, hypnotic and catching melodies."

Linda Logan, Programing Director/Morning Personality WAZS, 980 AM, No. Charleston, SC, September 28, 2005:
"I added "Bad Kat Karma to our Up & Coming rotation today. Very COOL music!"

Sonya Clark, Music Director WVAS, Montgomery, AL, October 3, 2005:
"Thank you for sending Steve Raybine's cd, Bad Kat Karma. I am enjoying it. It is perfect for our format."

Mike O'Brien, Talent Buyer, Genuine Jazz Festival, Colorado:
Steve Raybine is truly a gifted composer and dynamic live performer. Bad Kat Karma is currently our favorite CD!

Patrick Van de Wiele, Keys and Chords Magazine, Belgium:
A really remarkable, beautiful remake of George Benson's classic "Breezin'" ... listen to the "Master of the Mallets" at his best!

From the webmaster:
Raybine has released the title track, "Bad Kat Karma," a funky R&B cut with a drivin' rhythm section and a great vibe and sax melody. Raybine's second single to be released will be "Breckenridge Blue," a gorgeous ballad laced with vibes and sax, capturing the mountainous beauty of Breckenridge, Colorado.

Sandy Shore, President, Smoothjazz.com:
"When we refer to Steve Raybine as an accomplished musician, it's an understatement. Steve is not only a virtuoso vibraphonist, percussionist, and composer/arranger, he is also an instructor and clinician.... BAD KAT KARMA is the 2nd solo release for this talented recording artist. This new collection of mostly original Smooth Jazz adeptly incorporates urban funk, R&B, pop and Latin influences. Steve's infectious melodies are sure to get you groovin'.... BAD KAT KARMA includes a fun, laid back version of the George Benson smash, "Breezin" featuring former Auracle band mate, Rick Braun on keyboards and programming as well as acclaimed flutist Steve Kujala. Braun also appears on the beautiful ballad, "Indigo Night," playing his instrument of choice: the trumpet. Saxman, Nelson Rangell appears on the exhilarating tune, "Bop City."

Download a smoothjazz.com screenshot featuring Bad Kat Karma.

Download a review of Bad Kat Karma.

Download a review(translated) of Bad Kat Karma in Keys and Chords Magazine.

Download an extensive review of Bad Kat Karma.

Download a review of Bad Kat Karma from Smooth Jazz News.

Steve's impeccable jazz artistry has receieved worldwide recognition for many years:

Read a brief testimonial about Steve's performances and clinics at Jazz on the Green in Florida in 2007.

Take a look at 4 photos of Steve taken at the 2007 Omaha Summer Arts Festival. Steve was the featured performer with the Omaha Musicians Association Jazz All-Stars who opened the festival. Photo credit: Chris Cooke.

For concert bookings, contact: BAD KAT Records c/o Steve Raybine
Phone: (402) 390-0481-- Cell: (402) 599-9386--- sraybine@cox.net -email