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| One of "Young Bodies" early performances |
NOW PLAYING: "A
Little Bit Discouraged"
from
"Songs from Here"
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| Stephen's first recording sessions at Seawest Studio |
WRITING MUSIC has been and
continues to be a lifetime passion for Stephen. He began piano lesssons-- and composing-- at the age of six with his first song, “The Silver Moon.” Taught
first by his mother Stephen learned hymns and gospel songs and began performing
for church services and
area talent competitions.
IN JUNIOR HIGH Stephen began
studying classical piano with noted teacher Nadine Clark—an exuberant personality who fostered creativity in students. With her encouragement Stephen completed a choral composition for
his high school choir. The work was accepted and performed for the school’s
spring concert. He presented more works, and each was accepted with his
final work in his senior year being performed by the full school orchestra, concert choir and a soloist from the Seattle Opera.
STEPHEN
CONTINUED TO WRITE in college seeking a degree in theatre with a focus on composing for live performances. His works at Emerson College won
the New England Theatre Conference award for best music in a live performance. Stephen
was asked to write for the script “Up Against It” which was originally written for the Beatles,
but never produced. He also wrote in collaboration with script writers for original
works performed in Boston and Detroit.
HIS COMPOSING moved from writing
for live theatre to film and video completing the soundtracks for “48
Sargent Street” and “Morning Star.”
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| "Young Bodies" publicity photo with Stephen, Guy Ianetti, and Billy Pease |
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| Proofsheet for first album cover photo |
IN HIS EARLY 20's Stephen began
working with area musicians to form his first rock bands. He completed his first
solo album “Special Child” and then moved to working with Billy Pease, Guy Ianetti and David
Cozart to form the band, “Young Bodies." Rick Keefer of Seawest Studios (Seattle and Hawaii) became producer
for the band. He released and promoted one album with the group which was picked
up by RCA but never released. Stephen used his middle name, James, for a stage
name of Stephen James at that time.
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| Storyboard for the multi media production, "Rainbow" showing movie screens and two stages. |
HE THEN WORKED with Steve Buffington, Rick Taylor and Fred
Parks to create the soundtrack for a multi-media stage show using live actors,film, special effects and live music entitled, “Rainbow.”
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| Live actors and musicians peformed in sync with scenes played on large screens and special effects. |
THE FOUR later completed
a second
album release entitled,
“Abused.”
Selections from the
recordings of
"Special Child",
"Young Bodies",
"Rainbow",
"Abused", and
"48 Sargent
Street" were later put
together for the CD
"Stephen Now ...and then."
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