Steve Rice Group French Band from Seattle, WA

The Steve Rice Group is a perfect choice to add an elegant international atmosphere to your event. What flavor are you looking to add to your party? -- French Cafe' Accordion? -- Romantic Italian Background? -- German Biergarden Polkas? -- Swinging Gypsy Jazz? -- Klezmer, Horas and Israeli Dances? – Lively TexMex polkas? – Romantic Latin Boleros, Bossa-Nova, Salsa, Tango? - Pianist/ Accordionist Steve Rice, rated Gigmasters' #1 accordionist in North America for three years running (2007 2008 2009), is now offering full band services through the website! To review more of my extensive gigmasters client feedback and preview more demo materials, please follow my related link at the very bottom of this page. The Steve Rice Group blends the performances of high level ethnic/ folkloric musicians with accomplished jazz, rock and classical musicians to create a unique ensemble that provides authentic international music as well as great jazz, variety dance music or elegant background music for your event. Because of many areas of specialization, I have established different group names for some of my different configurations. Please check out your areas of interest as described below. Keep in mind that I can, and frequently do, create custom combinations of musicians and styles for the unique needs of your event! Please contact me with any questions about what we can do for you! FRENCH CAFÉ AND CABARET MUSIC – ROUGE, a 3-5 piece band featuring vocalist Janet Rayor, accordionist Steve Rice and violinist Ruthie Dornfeld specializes in the songs of Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Jacques Brel and more. Rouge is a popular choice for Arts Fundraisers and French themed weddings and elegant dinner parties. We recently released our third CD. Check out our sample mp3s and video clips! CLUB BRULANT – Steve's instrumental trio guitar/accordion/ bass specializes in Django Reinhardt style gypsy jazz, French café music and musette waltzes ZYDECO / CAJUN / NEW ORLEANS: "BIG SQUEEZY" – Specializes in Cajun and Zydeco dance music – with a healthy dose of Rockin' accordion, Bayou Blues, and New Orleans Jazz for good measure! Big Squeezy performs regularly at "Louisianathon" and other NW Cajun/Zydeco Dance events. Our core group is a 5 piece with Steve on Accordion and including bass, drums, guitar, and washboard. ITALIAN: STROLLING MUSICIANS: Nothing adds more atmosphere to an Italian themed event than strolling musicians! Start with Steve on accordion and add any of these great strolling musicians to the mix! – Violinist/ Mandolinist / Classical Italian Tenor INSTRUMENTAL: There are more options if we are in one place! Add bass, drums, piano, or combine freely with other styles! For a great ITALIAN SHOW BAND, please see my gigmasters presskit links below and visit my good friend "Tony Lastella and the Goombas" I am a frequent guest performer with Tony's band. For great RAT-PACK STYLE ENTERTAINMENT, please visit my link below for "Half Pack Live", an outstanding Old Vegas lounge act I perform with regularly GERMAN / POLKA: - Gigs include "Polka Madness" at Prost, "Irish Oktoberfest" at Fado', corporate Oktoberfest performances for Microsoft and many retirement home dates throughout the year KLEZMER/ JEWISH – Steve is a former touring member of "The Mazeltones". He currently records and performs with "Shawn's Kugel" as well as other area Klezmer bands. Steve also has extensive playing experience with Sephardic, Chassidic and Israeli background and dance music. We are available for Bar and Bat-mitzvahs, Weddings. Fundraisers, Simchas. MEXICAN / MARIACHI - Steve appears with the "Bolero Brothers" every other Monday at "Mr. Villa's" Seattle with music including Mexican Polkas, Tangos, Romantic Boleros. Steve co-leads "Los Todos", a duo with Juan Barco, a nationally reknowned Tejano guitarist, vocalist and Bajo Sexto master. Neither group is a true Mariachi Band, but we have many satisfied clients who have found us the nearest best thing!! JAZZ – Steve is well known as a creative and accomplished jazz pianist. Steve tours internationally part time as Pianist with the famous "Harry James Orchestra" under the direction of Fred Radke. Steve was winner of the "Oscar Peterson Award" at Berklee College of Music. THE STEVE RICE TRIO, a trio dedicated to the art of piano jazz, is a popular choice for corporate receptions and private parties. SWING - Steve has toured as pianist with the HARRY JAMES ORCHESTRA and the JIMMY DORSEY BAND, Steve fronts a versatile swing dance group, THE STEVE RICE SWINGTETTE SALSA / TANGO / BOSSA NOVA: - Steve is currently pianist with RITMO SOL, specializing in Salsa, Cuban and Latin music. Steve was a touring pianist with the hit latin ensemble "Bochinche". Steve's group also performs traditional and modern Tango music.