New York Jazz Guitarist, Bassist, Composer and Bandleader Sten Hostfalt has been called highly exceptional, original and Virtuosic by legendary American music icons and pioneers Jimmy Giuffre, George Russell and Joe Maneri respectively. Groundbreaking by Don Williamson of Jazz Review, Impressive by Time Out NY, Inimitable by Paper Magazine and a Guitar Player Magazine editor's pick.
Most recently appearing in shared events with such diverse artists as D J Star MOBY, Hip Hop great Keith Murray ( Def Squad ) and Downtown NYC Avantgarde V. I. P's Tim Berne and Herb Robertson ( quote: Time Out N Y ) As a New York City bandleader he is currently described as impressive and intense by Time Out New York and inimitable by P.M. NYC / Paper Magazine. For creative work with his original ensembles K-MOD, G-FACTOR (formerly Ghost Factor), Soft Value andrelated projects, known to use unique instrumentation and new tonal systems specifically and in particular through self-invented instrumental techniques and interpretations of mentor Joe Maneri's 72 Equal Temperament.
Original lineups, co-leader work and collaborations has for the past two decades featured some of today's most active and esteemed creative improvisers. Including reed players Blaise Siwula, Ole Mathisen and Matt Renzi. Drummers Marko Djordjevic, Jimmy Weinstein and Owen Howard. Vocalists Liliana Santon and Melissa Kassel. Vibraphonist Tom Beckham. Trumpet player Takuya Nakamura. Bassists Tim Luntzel, Matt Pavolka, Peter Slavov, Janek Gwizdala, Bruno Raberg and Matthew Garrison.
Born 1962 in Lulea, Sweden, largely self-taught as a guitarist from age 9, featured on National Radio at 15 and dubbed a Guitar Phenom by the press at 18, upon his debut audio release as a co-leader, composer and soloist. He was transplanted to the U.S. in 1989 through scholarships from New England Conservatory and Berklee College Of Music.
After making his U.S. CD debute as a featured soloist with Herb Pomeroy's legendary Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra (aka The Berklee Recording Band) produced by Gary Burton. And also being an apprentice in Phil Wilson's Large Jazz Ensemble 'The Rainbow Band'. He studied with Paul Bley (who also initiated his debute CD as a leader 'Eternity Check'), Jimmy Giuffre and Joe Maneri.
He became a member of The NEC Big Band, briefly directed by legendary Jazz composer George Russell. And appeared in concerts with Gary Burton, Peter Erskine and Clare Fischer. And Composition Master classes and Seminars with Toru Takemitsu and Gyorgi Ligeti. Before receiving a Masters Degree in Composition. And and additional G.D. in Performance.
All leading up to his initial contribution to the Creative New York City Music scene as a member of and featured soloist with Guillermo Klein's pioneering large ensemble. In weekly mid-90's performances at Smalls Jazz Club NYC and on Klein's '95 CD debute Big Van ( Beat/'97 Candid re-release El Minotauro), in a 17-piece lineup that included regulars Mark Turner, Chris Cheek, Jeff Ballard, Ingrid Jensen, Diego Urcola, Seamus Blake and Aaron Goldberg.
Based in Europe toward the end of the 90's, he appeared in concerts, radio broadcasts and recordings as a sideman with Rob McConnell, Deborah Brown and Bobby Shew. And appeared as a co-leader in concerts, festivals and on the '98 CD-release Feel Real. The return to NYC was marked by Hostfalt's '02 CD-debute as a leader, Eternity Check, initiated by Paul Bley and featuring Matthew Garrison and Takuya Nakamura. Quickly followed by the solo CD 29 pieces for the Microtonal Guitar Live at Knitting Factory New York, featuring new self-invented instrumental techniques for interpretation of Joe Maneri's 72 Equal temperament theory on the standard 6-string/12 fret guitar. 2006 saw the solo CD release Macroscope.
His work has been enthusiastically featured in leading publications worldwide like Jazz Times Magazine, The New York Times, All Music Guide, Cadence Magazine, Guitar Player Magazine, Time Out New York, Paper Magazine, All About Jazz, Jazz Now, Jazz Review, Tomajazz (Spain), Jazz Views (U.K.), Svenska Dagbladet (Sweden) and Altrisuoni (italy)
As a music educator, conducting workshops/clinics at alma maters New England Conservatory of Music and Berklee College Of Music. And a faculty member of KMH, The Royal College of Music in Stockholm since 2001. Sten Hostfalt conducts his own Midtown Manhattan creative workshop NYC Guitar Studio. Notably one of very few institutions worldwide to offer systematic studies of practical application and interpretation of Microtonal Music.
Equipment:
1996 Gibson ES-165
Modified 1984 (U.S.) Fender Stratocaster
( Warmoth neck, EMG pickups, Kahler bridge)
1997 Fender Jazz Bass
Epiphone Mandolin
Oscar Schmidt Ukulele
Vintage Polytone Mini-Brute amp ( '15 speaker )
Roland 60 Keyboard Cube amp ( f. backup or stereo )
Celestion speakers
2 Lexicon LXP-5 processors
Pro Co RAT & Boss DS-1 Distortion
Boss GE-7 Equalizer, AKAI Headrush 2, Boss Volume Pedal.
strings:
( guitar) D' Addario Chromes 0.13,
( bass) La Bella Deep Talking Flats
(mandolin) D' Addario J-80
Dunlop 207 picks
cables: Whirlwind and ProCo.
additional: Sharp MiniDisc player, Apple G4 laptop, Behringer
Micro Mixer
Pro Line guitar stands
Manhasset music stands
Mighty Mite parts
Levy's straps & cases.
