Non Sequitur Presents! Same Wavelength! “It’s not about the music!” 

Even in the midst of cursed winter travel, pianist Steven Feifke exudes an unmatched level of poise and thoughtfulness. In this episode, we chat about the transformation of unexpected setbacks into intentional successes, Steven’s philosophy of the five primary elements of music that inform his approach to writing, and a desolate restaurant gig where the act of miming a jazz pianist just wasn’t going to cut it. 

FEATURED RELEASE: 

Steven Feifke 

“The Role of the Rhythm Section” (2022)

Getting to Know: Steven Feifke 

Bandleader and composer Steven Feifke has been recognized by GRAMMY.com as one of six big band composers pushing the format forwards and heralded a “masterful pianist” by JAZZIZ Magazine. A two-time semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition, Feifke has been featured on stages around the world, having toured across Europe, Africa and Asia and has an extensive discography of over 30 albums. 

Feifke is an internationally recognized arranger and orchestrator, and has written commissioned works for notables like the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra featuring Sean Jones and John Faddis, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra with Ken Peplowski, the Malmo Big Band with Katie Thiroux, and the New Generation Festival with Orchestra Senzaspine and Dominick Farinacci. He is the recipient of the 2020 David Baker Prize in composition from the Ravinia Festival and serves as musical director for the Tony Award Winning actor and singer Santino Fontana. 

Feifke’s compositions and orchestrations have been prominently featured on such hit TV shows as Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee on Netflix, Impractical Jokers on TruTV, Animaniacs on Hulu, and Solo. His 2020 big band album “KINETIC” marks Feifke’s studio big band debut. 

Feifke is a member of the faculty at The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, and has appeared as a guest lecturer/artist at New York University, Yale University, Williams College, Moravian College, Northern Illinois University, and more. Feifke is the Co-Founder of A Step Ahead Jazz, alongside alto saxophonist Alexa Tarantino. Feifke holds a Bachelor's Degree from New York University and a Master’s Degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with true luminaries of composition and orchestration, Gil Goldstein and Jim McNeely. 

Watch the interview on our YouTube channel here!