Mandolin with Stephen B.

James Meyers says, "Stephen, hailing from Maple Valley, Washington, is one of those rare musicians whose dexterity and extreme familiarity with his instrument allow him to instantly channel musical ideas from his mind to his instrument. To think of a lick is to play it, and thanks to his varied taste in genres ranging from jazz to bluegrass, he has a large palette of rhythmic and melodic ideas to create pleasing, yet unpredictable music whose maturity suggests a musician far beyond his years. Having started classical violin at the age of eight, Stephen soon switched to Texas fiddle music. He then continued to hone his technique and ear as he competed for several years in fiddle contests across the Northwest. Turning from the rigidity of the contest style Stephen then began to focus on other genres such as swing and, in particular, progressive and traditional bluegrass, each of which he has played in various bands throughout the Northwest."