Steve Watson has had an incredible career in music, playing alongside and in front of world-class musicians and artists from all genres. Over the years he has refined his style creating a signature sound unique to himself and along the way built a healthy catalog of impressive work.

At some point he must have taken stock of the knowledge and training he possessed and made a life altering decision to teach. This is one of the bravest and most selfless acts anyone can commit to, helping grow and shape young minds and the talents contained therein, no small work indeed. This world could use a lot more people like Steve Watson and I’m very proud to have him represented here.

“The world is in great need of more music education. When students play music, it allows a part of their artistic mind to

express itself, which is very important in helping to balance a child intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally.”

– Paul Reed Smith, President of PRS Guitars (Source: Guitar Center Music Foundation Interview)

Bio from the Fine Arts Center website:

Steve Watson graduated from Newberry College with a BA in 1974 and The University of Miami (Coral Gables) with a MM in 1977. 
Steve has performed all over the world.  He was a member of The University of Miami Concert Jazz Band that toured Switzerland, Cyprus, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Tunisia.

From 1978 through1984 Steve was a member of The Bruce Hornsby Band.  After moving to Los Angeles, he became a studio guitarist for television, movies and records.  His credits include Hill Street Blues, Magnum PI, The A-Team, Hunter, Hardcastle and McCormick, Riptide, Murder She Wrote, LA Law, Big Business, Simon and Simon, Quantum Leap, The Young Riders, Sonny Spoon, The Greatest American Hero, Young Guns, Trains, Planes and Autos, Sixteen Candles, Rhinestone, Dragnet, Dr. Detroit, River Rats, Into the Night and The Dolly Parton variety television show.  He has also recorded commercials for Coors, Budweiser, 7-11, Acura, Honda and Toyota.

Steve is the Director of Jazz Studies at The Fine Arts Center, an art magnet high school in Greenville, SC and former adjunct professor at Furman University. Steve was an adjunct professor at The University of Southern California from 1981-1990 and lecturer at The University of Miami from 1977-1978.

 
Steve released “Watson’s Riddle” in 2011 on Palmetto Records (Sony) with Paul Riddle and Chuck Leavell.  He wrote all of the material for this project.  It entered the top 15 in the contemporary jazz charts for 2011 and 2012.
 
Steve released his self-produced solo project entitled “Heat It Up” in February 2015. It contains ten tracks of original instrumental contemporary jazz.  The single "Mary Anna" was co-produced by smooth jazz veteran and University of Southern  California professor Richard Smith. The CD reached #12 on the SmoothJazz.com Indie chart. 

The CD "Playtime" was released in January 2016. It was produced by Chuck Loeb, Jeff Lorber and Steve Watson. It contained 8 songs with the 2 singles "Playtime" and "Pearbear" charting on Billboard and "Pearbear" stayed on the contemporary jazz charts for 4 months. It reached number 4 on the Smoothjazz.com chart in May 2017. 

The Jazz CD "Reflections" featuring Steve Watson, guitar; Ian Bracchitta, acoustic bass; Rick Dilling, drums; Wendy Jones, vocals, was released August 2018.