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Steven Kroon

I’ve been a professional musician for the last 30 years. I was born in Harlem and lived there until the age of ten. From Harlem we moved to St. Albans, Queens. The year was 1957. My experience of being raised in Queens was very influential. At the time there were many great jazz and R&B artists living right in our neighborhood. At home I would mostly listen to my father’s music, which was Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, and Machito. Then when I would visit my friends, I would listen to all the great jazz artists. Right in my neighborhood was Lester Young, Eddie Lockjaw

Davis, Count Basie and many more. Also, a great influence on me was the great producer Henry Glover, who lived right on the corner from me. He would also allow me to attend his rehearsals with the Cleftones, Joey Dee and the Starlighters, etc. With all that diversity and styles, I would say most of my music appreciation was due to being exposed in the proper environment. Some of the highlights of my career all stem from live performance, television shows and recording sessions. I was associated with Luther Vandross from 1981 - 2001.

I have appeared on seven platinum albums, and 15 world tours, which include 2 live video performances: 1) “Live in Wimbley Stadium” in London and 2) “Live at Prince Albert Tulley Hall”, also in London. An array of television shows such as: The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The David Letterman Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, and The Rosie O’Donnell Show. Also a variety of music shows such as The Grammy’s, The Soul Train Awards, etc.

At this point in my life, I have chosen to devote my time and creativity to pursue my own career. I have also performed with Ron Carter from 1987 to the present, which has included extensive tours of the U.S., Japan and Brazil. Some of the places we’ve performed include The Village Vanguard, The Iridium in NY, The Blue Note in the U.S. and Japan, and The Mistura Fina in Brazil. I’ve recorded 6 CD’s with Ron Carter and appeared on numerous TV shows in the U.S. and Japan. I have presently recorded my own CD, which is titled “In My Path”, which has been released on World Blue Records, which I am no longer affiliated with. I have just completed my second CD entitled “Senor Kroon” for a Japanese label entitled M&I Co., for which I own the rights to in the U.S.

Steven Kroon: On The # 1

Read "On The # 1" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
April 19, 2014

New York percussionist Steven Kroon offers a percussive-laden session of Afro-Cuban rhythms, a slice of Brazil and draws on his Nuyorican heritage for a taste of the Puerto Rican flair, in presenting On The # 1, the fifth self- produced album of this veteran musician's 45-year plus musical journey. Long a part of the jazz, blues, R&B and Latin music world playing as both a sideman and leader of his own light ensembles, Kroon brings back the group he has ...

Album Review

Steven Kroon: On The #1

Read "On The #1" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
April 7, 2014

Steven Kroon has long been a first-call percussionist for the musical elite, adding seasonings and spices to the variety of R&B, jazz, and soul dishes that these bigwigs make. He's worked behind Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, Diana Krall, Stanley Turrentine, and numerous others over the past three-plus decades. Many will forever think of Kroon as a support player of note, but more and more listeners are starting to know him as a leader. ...

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Album Review

Steven Kroon: El Mas Alla (Beyond)

Read "El Mas Alla (Beyond)" reviewed by John Barron

by John Barron
October 2, 2008

Growing up in Queens, New York, percussionist Steven Kroon soaked up the sounds of the Latin, jazz and R&B music permeating his neighborhood. The influence of such a diverse musical environment helped shape his personalized style, catching the attention of big-name pop and jazz artists like Luther Vandross and Ron Carter. Along with being a first-call percussion sideman, Kroon is also an engaging bandleader, as evidenced by his third solo release: El Mas Alla (Beyond), a polished Latin-jazz production with ...

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Interview

Steven Kroon: Looking Beyond

by Chip Boaz
August 26, 2008

Percussionist Steve Kroon has spent many years walking through a variety of musical worlds. He spent his childhood years surrounded by all sorts of musical figures, with connections to jazz, Cuban music, rhythm and blues, Brazilian music, and more. His deep involvement led to local performance and recording jobs, and eventually a high profile gig with singer Luther Vandross that lasted twenty years. At the same time, Kroon began an association another musical icon, jazz bassist Ron Carter; their musical ...

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Album Review

Stevie Holland: Restless Willow

Read "Restless Willow" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
February 7, 2005

With the title derived from the opening track, “It Might As Well Be Spring," singer Stevie Holland could be considered the personified restless willow. Holland has an easy vocal style that never falls prey to over-extension. She swings with a confident grace, her phrasing tasteful and accurate. These are the things that may strike the listener upon spinning Restless Willow for the first time. Skip on over to “Summertime" and hear a performance that will not blaze new trails in ...

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Album Review

Stevie Holland: Restless Willow

Read "Restless Willow" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone

by Michael P. Gladstone
December 20, 2004

On her third album, singer Stevie Holland offers eleven well-balanced cabaret/jazz selections. She is accompanied by a good group that includes Kenny Washington, George Small, Tim Ferguson, Noel Sagerman, Sean Harkness, Steve Kroon, Joe Mennonna and a guest shot from David “Fathead" Newman. Holland has co-written and performed with producer Gary William Friedman in the past and her first album in 2000 consisted of all Friedman material. On this album, Friedman provides the arrangements and orchestrations including strings on some ...

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Album Review

Stevie Holland: Restless Willow

Read "Restless Willow" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella
November 22, 2004

Singing standards with a clear delivery and a happy outlook, Stevie Holland gives her audience an intimate approach and a convincing, heartfelt persuasion.

James Taylor's “Sunny Skies" coasts along gently with a buoyant aura, allowing Holland to interpret its positive lyrics with a graceful piano trio alongside. “Zoot Walks In" brings an equally rosy outlook with jazz piano trio and tenor saxophone, but the drive of her interpretation glows with much more emphasis. It's the high point of ...

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Performance / Tour

Steven Kroon Quintet at Creole July 17th & 18th

Source: Ann Forster
July 16, 2009

NEW YORK -- Creole Restaurant and Music Supper Club continues to invigorate the Harlem Jazz scene with its Latin Jazz Legacy Series featuring the Steven Kroon Quintet Friday, July 17th and Saturday, July 18th, Showtimes 8:00pm and 10:00pm at Creole, 2167 Third Avenue, Corner of 118th Street, NY, NY 10035. (212) 876-8838.

Steven Kroon (congas & percussion), Adam Perez (piano), Waldo Chevez (bass), Bryan Carrott (vibraphone), Craig Rivers (sax & flute), Alex Garcia (drums) The sultry jazz Latin style of ...
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Interview

Percussionist Steven Kroon Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
August 26, 2008

Recording

Album of the Week: El Mas Alla (Beyond), Steven Kroon

Source: All About Jazz
July 27, 2008

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Performance / Tour

Steven Kroon Sextet Returns Live at Sweet Rhythm on November 5 - 6

Source: All About Jazz
October 18, 2004

The Steven Kroon Sextet returns live at Sweet Rhythm on Nov. 5-6, 2004.

Thanks to your support and great turnout, we have been asked for a return engagement. This time for two nights, Friday and Saturday!! We hope you've enjoyed the music enough to return for some more great Latin-Jazz.

The members of the Steven Kroon Sextet are: Steven Kroon on congas and percussion; Igor Atalita on piano; Craig Rivers on sax and flute; Bryan Carrot on vibes; Willie Martinez ...
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