Like most creative people, Steve Thornburg is a restless artist in a state of perpetual forward motion. He is always searching for new ways to communicate with the audience and with other musicians. His music could never be called cliche; one will always hear a fresh outlook from him through the very traditional music called "jazz".
Steve's "apprenticeship" period, as he recognizes it, was through the hard driving Kilgore's Omaha jam sessions held every Tuesday night through the 70's until the mid-90's. Kilgore's was a local hotbed of talent. Players searched their souls and stretched their chops there and friendships were formed.
Throughout the 80's and early 90's, the Steve Thornburg Quartet was booked weekly into every local night spot. So, in addition to "cutting his teeth" with several people he admired (local legends Tom Hennig, Mark Luebbe, Chuck Kilgore, Luigi Waites, John Maller, Jim Skomal) at the jam sessions, Steve's group provided music for weddings, banquets, parties as well as a 10 year association with Old Market mainstay, Butsy LeDoux's and a 5 year stretch of Sunday brunches and Saturday nights at Gallagher's in Regency West.
Omaha born and raised. Steve began the clarinet at the age of 13, and later studied with the late renowned classical clarinetist, John Zeigler. Later, Steve's doubling on alto saxophone opened new options in contemporary music through jazz, funk, and blues. He continued his quest for higher knowledge of the instrument through exposure to many influences; Arthur Blythe's passionate unique expression, Johnny Hodges' tone, and Sonny Fortune's creative energy.
Steve has fine tuned his musical concepts in his group, The Steve Thornburg Quartet, and now, The Soldiers of Soul, two groups which challenge aspects of his thinking in open ended, no holds barred musical situations,while at the same time entertaining audiences.
Playing Omaha's "Summer Arts Festival" for several years and
serving as back up band for Concord recording artist, Karrin Allyson (twice for Joslyn's "Jazz on the Green" concerts, and once for the Summer Arts Festival's Mainstage) opened Steve and the quartet up to possiblilities that weren't normally represented in some venues that hosted jazz. Diversifying his performing situations these days as well, Steve can be heard around the area from time to time with Pianist Lynn Scott, Little Joe and Big Trouble, Bluffs Big Band, Roadhouse, and has worked with the national touring band Doug Allen and The Chicago Mob. Steve was instrumental in bringing Memphis B3 organ great Charlie Wood to Joslyn's Jazz on the Green, putting together a back up band, helping with arrangements and playing for the show. Steve has been in the studio working on his new recording. Stay tuned!
"One of my goals is to create a music that is a vivid reflection of what I believe."
When serious players choose to remain "local", rather than chase dreams of fame and fortune, to raise a family, have a career and play and grow as an artist in their hometown environment, the result is not a road weary striver but a well rounded, focused and polished person. Steve Thornburg is that kind of person.
