Born in East Baltimore, Maryland, Steve Carrington’s journey into music was as natural as breathing. At the age of seven, he was already immersed in a world of melody and rhythm, inspired by his maternal grandmother, who hummed hymns and played records from Mahalia Jackson to Stevie Wonder. A neighbor who played saxophone professionally further ignited his curiosity, while his exposure to a vast spectrum of music—from Blind Dog Fulton’s blues to jazz legends like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis—laid the foundation for a lifelong passion that still burns brightly today.

Steve’s formal training began at the Baltimore School for the Arts, and he later graduated from Frederick Douglass High, an institution with a rich musical legacy, counting Cab Calloway, Eubie Blake, and Ellis Larkin among its alumni. His love for jazz deepened as he absorbed the sounds of John Coltrane, Grover Washington Jr., Hank Mobley, Dexter Gordon, and Freddie Hubbard, refining his own musical voice.

In 1986, Steve was awarded a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied under Bill Pierce, a former member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. His time at Berklee solidified his technical expertise, and soon after, he moved to New York to perform with some of the most celebrated names in jazz. He became a sought-after saxophonist, playing alongside Charles Mingus Epitaph, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Hargrove, Milt Hinton, Frank Wess, and Jimmy Heath.

In the early 1990s, Steve returned to Baltimore to give back to the community that had nurtured him. He joined the faculty of the Jazz Mentoring Program at the Eubie Blake Center for Cultural Arts, where he inspired students like Quincy Phillips, who would go on to play with Roy Hargrove. During this time, he performed with Ruby Glover, Phillip Harper, Theodros Avery, Grady Tate, and Cyrus Chestnut, appearing on Chestnut’s Atlantic album Earth Stories.

Back in New York, Steve became a fixture in the jazz scene, sharing the stage with legends such as Elvin Jones, Joey DeFrancesco, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Wynton Marsalis, Wessel “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Eric Lewis (ELEW), and Chick Corea. One of the most defining moments in his career came when Chick Corea invited him to sit in at New York’s Blue Note, later remarking, “Keep that big, beautiful smile and that big, beautiful sound.” His mentor Kenny Garrett further cemented his legacy by gifting him a saxophone in 2012, symbolizing a passing of the torch.

As the leader of his own group, Steve has opened for jazz icons like Abbey Lincoln, Lionel Hampton, Stanley Turrentine, and Milt Hinton. He has also become a vital member of the Valery Ponomarev “Our Father Who Art Blakey” Big Band, honoring the legacy of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. His versatility extends beyond traditional jazz, as he is also a key player in Cyrus Chestnut’s African Reflections Band and Cyrus Chestnut’s Quartet.

In recent years, Steve expanded his artistry into the world of funk and R&B, performing with the legendary Kool & The Gang. He has graced stages across the globe, from intimate late-night sets at The Fat Cat to prestigious performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center and concert halls in Paris. His music possesses an infectious energy—his tenor sax often described as “chuckling,” while his own laughter during performances becomes an unmistakable part of his musical signature.

Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve remained artistically active, becoming part of the Dizzy Gillespie Legacy Bands under Grammy-winning bassist John Lee. His contributions to jazz have not gone unnoticed, earning him the Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works grant in 2022, an honor recognizing his excellence in jazz composition.

Steve has released multiple acclaimed albums, including A Caring Tone on Samech Records and Mind Traveler following his 2019 European tour with Kool & The Gang. In 2023, he gathered an all-star ensemble, featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Freddie Hendrix, Mark Whitfield Sr., Corey Wilcox, Mark Whitfield Jr., Davis Whitfield, Kenny Davis, Alexander Claffy, and Rudy Bird, to record his latest project, Far Beyond The Horizon.

Steve Carrington’s music is not just a collection of notes; it is a reflection of his life’s journey, relationships, and experiences. He draws inspiration from places and sounds often overlooked, creating music that is both deeply spiritual and powerful. Whether in a small jazz club or a grand concert hall, his performances transform the energy of any space, leaving audiences spellbound. His story, like his sound, is rich, expressive, and timeless.