STEVE HARPER & THE CURBFEELERS

Steve (red shirt) and Randy (blue tank with guitar) at a band party at a farm outside of Marion, Ohio – early 1980s

Steve Harper

Steve Harper is an experienced and versatile musician and songwriter who has performed for more than 40 years as the lead singer in rock and R&B bands as well as a jazz vocalist. Steve has been the driving force in duos, trios and five to nine-piece bands that have played in Columbus, Marion, Marietta and many other Ohio towns as well as in New York, California and Texas.  In 2005 Steve, and his band, The Curbfeelers, released a CD of his original works, Tales From the Typewriter, that received radio play in Columbus, France and Canada. Those Shoes, another CD of Steve’s original songs that also features The Curbfeelers, was released in January 2018.

Known for his soulful voice and for his extensive repertoire of music, Steve is a professional who tailors his performance to the venue. Steve and his band have played for many private and corporate events as well as in dinner clubs, bars and at festivals. For example:

  • Festivals: Music in the Air; ComFest; Short North Gallery Hop; Ohio Craft Beer Festival/North Market; Wine Festival/North Market; Richwood Street Festival;
  • Solo/duo act: Rusty Spur-Delaware; Confluence Park Restaurant- Columbus; Flatirons Bar & Grill – Columbus; The Dry Dock- New Port Beach, California; Avalon Hotel- Catalina Island, CA; Bernard’s Café- Woodstock, NY; Scotch and Sirloin- Marion and many more;
  • Clubs in Columbus: Short North Tavern; Hyatt on Capitol Square; Marriott North; Hyatt Regency; Victory’s; Brian Boru’s; High-Beck; and, Dick’s Den; and,
  • Clubs in Ohio: OK Café on Marion; Maury’s in Marion; Lafayette Hotel-Marietta; Paddock-Holiday Inn in and The Gathering Inn in Delaware; Rockin’ Arches at Indian Lake;

Award Winner

  • Winner of the 2016 Ohio Environmental Council songwriter’s contest;
  • Semi-finalist for best unsigned band in North America for Musician Magazine for his original songs “Unemployment No-Compensation Blues” and “Confidence Man”;
  • Steve and his band, The Curbfeelers, placed in the top third of bands competing in the River City, Ohio (Marietta) 10th Annual Blues Competition performing Steve’s original songs; and,
  • Steve’s original song, “Unemployment No-Compensation Blues” was selected for inclusion on the CD produced by the River City, Ohio 10th Annual Blues Competition.

Teacher

  • While working as a history teacher for the Columbus City Schools and for the Department of Youth Services, Steve put together talent shows to encourage students to perform music and accompanied students in their performances.
  • Taught guitar in Columbus and Delaware, Ohio

Derek DiCenzo – Bass

Derek is a multi-instrumentalist who is as comfortable playing jazz on the acoustic bass as on the guitar or even the steel drum. He has been a full-time musician based in Columbus, Ohio for many years; his diverse influences and uncanny musical intuition has made him a much sought-after player. Derek freelances and is a member of several groups and has toured and recorded with Jamaican-born jazz piano sensation Monty Alexander for many years, performing at jazz festivals, clubs, and concert halls all over the world. Recent appearances have been at New York City’s Blue Note, Birdland, Carnegie Hall and at the Blue Note Tokyo. Derek has appeared with Monty Alexander, Diane Schuur, RJD2, and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. He can be heard on recordings by Monty Alexander and jazz guitar legends Jim Hall and Charlie Byrd.

Randy Ross – Guitar

Randy started playing high school dances on drums at age 12 and performing on guitar by 16. By age 17 he was touring and recording with” Johnny Holiday and Guardrail” and gained road and studio experience at “Peppermint Studios” in Youngstown for Bold Records. Randy has opened for many major country and rock artists and continued touring and session work with several Ohio based bands. Influenced by rock, blues, jazz and country he has become an accomplished versatile guitarist. Randy and Steve’s musical relationship started in 1974 with Marion based “Burnt Matches” and continued in 1989 with the “Curbfeelers”. Randy does session and club work as well as recording his original music. He is currently playing lead guitar and singing with Heindog and Stadz at Gatsby’s in Gahanna, Ohio and with KRT at Roop Brothers in Delaware, Ohio

Louis Tsamous – Drums

Louis began playing the drums at age 10 and later graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in 1982. He has since become one of the most versatile and active musicians in America. He has toured Europe, Asia and the Caribbean and has recorded and performed with jazz artists Stanley Turrentine, Etta Jones, Jimmy McGriff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David “Fathead” Newman, Joey DeFrancesco and Kevin Mahogany among others. He recently toured the United States and Europe with jazz guitar legend Pat Martino. In addition to performing with various groups in the Midwest, Louis has done clinics at many high schools and universities across the country. Louis has been touring and recording with jazz organ sensation Tony Monaco since 1999 and is featured on six national releases on The Summit record label. He is also the Director of Affiliate Musicians at the Columbus Jazz Arts Group and been in this role since 1977.

Steve Willis – Saxophone

Steve’s credentials are known very well around central Ohio as an extremely accomplished musician. Steve is versatile with expertise in playing soprano, tenor and alto sax.  He also plays EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument). He is fluent in all styles of music and continues to be an in-demand player around the area.  Steve has recorded with a variety of nationally known artists and played with many bands over the years including the Red Hot Rhythm Review, John Schwab, and The Curbfeelers.

Lynda McClanahan and Joel Knepp – Background Vocals

Lynda and Joel are versatile and experienced musicians who have played in the Central Ohio area for many years. They are well known for their guitar and accordion duo called Nick and Polina. They and Steve have played in other bands together including Honky Tonk Angel and the Artlaws which also included Judi. Lynda and Joel (Cocktail Muumuu) provided background vocals on several songs on both CDs: Those Shoes and Tales from the Typewriter.

Judi Moseley – Percussion

Judi is Steve’s longtime partner and strong supporter of his musical endeavors. She plays tambourine and shaker on several songs on “Those Shoes” and has also played percussion in other bands with Steve including Harper Hotep and the Artlaws.