Artist Information:

Steve Caddick

Contact information:

Steve Caddick

59 Woodward Avenue

Seekonk, MA 02771

508-336-7996

banjopa1@yahoo.com

Genre:

1890’s to 1950’s jazz banjo

Instrumentation:

1986 Paul Simpson Custom 20 Fret Whyte Laydie Tenor Banjo

Mandola

Tenor guitar

6-string guitar

Description:

Steve is one of the premier tenor banjoists in the world today. He is an increasingly scarce commodity in today’s world; a virtuoso on tenor banjo, the instrument that paved the way for American Music and the recording industry. His style and virtuosity transcend stereotypes of banjo music to delight audiences of every age. Recognized by his peers as a master of America's instrument, Steve is often the headliner at banjo festivals throughout the USA with invitations to Europe pending. Add in some timely humor, engaging vocals and Steve brings the entire package for an entertainment event. Don't miss the chance to see one of the great tenor banjoists of our time playing music spanning 100 years of great American history.

Biography:

Steve started playing the tenor banjo at age 9. His dad taught him the basics.
Soon after that he switched to guitar to play Rock and Roll. From 1965-1969 he played in a few different "Rock" Bands including, The Final Touch, Benedict and the Traitors, and The Violets of Dawn.

When that phase was over, he went back to the banjo and seriously studied it while attending college at New England School of Art in Boston, MA from 1969-1972. Rev. Bob Ryder was starting a banjo band in the fall of 1969, Steve is one of the founding members. He played first chair tenor banjo for 28 years with him. After Bob passed away in 1998, Steve reformed the band as the "Red Suspenders." He has been the leader of that group ever since.

From the early 1970’s until his father’s retirement in the mid 1980’s, he worked in the clubs with him. They had a steady gig for 15 years at the Ground Round Restaurants in Rhode Island. Those were fun times for them and he really got to know his father and his incredible musicianship.

When John Mumford started his website http://www.Jazzbanjo.com he needed a tenor player to provide note for note arrangements and sound files for beginning to advanced tenor banjoists to learn from. He is very proud and pleased that John chose him for that role. Steve is also the monthly host for JazzBanjo’s PalTalk online banjo jam session.

Steve performs with many banjo groups including:

-The Red Suspenders

-Avalon

-He also played classical music on Mandola with the Providence Mandolin Orchestra 2005-2006

Steve has appeared with several well known banjo groups including:

-The Amoskeag Strummers

-The Yankee Strummers

-The Dallas Banjo Band

Website:

http://www.stevecaddick.com or http://www.geocities.com/banjopa1/intro.html

Discography:

Next Stop Banjotown – 1987 Steve and Bill Caddick

Tunes of the Jazz Age – 2002 The Red Suspenders

By The Sea – 2004 Steve Caddick and Eddy Kebabjian

Old Cape Cod - 2005 Steve Caddick and Eddy Kebabjian

Spectrum - 2006 Providence Mandolin Orchestra

Banjo for Christmas - 2006 Rob Wright

Seems Like Old Times - 2007 Avalon with Rene Marion

What People Are Saying:

“So get out your slippers and your favorite casual outfit, stoke up the fire in the fireplace, have a seat in your easy chair and listen to music that is gentler, cleaner and much more satisfying than most music today, banjo or otherwise. “Old Cape Cod” should be in everybody’s CD collection. It’s a true winner.”

Dave Frey, review in All Frets magazine.

"The work offered by Steve and Eddy is nothing short of stellar. RUN, don't walk to your nearest mailbox

and order this CD!!!

Kurt Abell, The Washboard Wizardz

"This banjo CD has something too many lack, good taste"

Rob Wright, The Original Wildcat Jassband

"Steve and Eddy ~ Congratulations! You're carrying the torch!

Super job! You're keeping 'quality' and 'banjo' in the same sentence!"

Dave Frey, The Ultimate Plectrum Banjo Players Guide

“This is one of the best CDs that has been produced in recent times. Steve Caddick and Eddy Kebabjian have put together a collection of songs that you don't hear on traditional banjo albums. Not only do you get the great instrumentation of tenor banjo, tenor guitar and bass but the baritone voice of Eddy singing some great ballads. One of my favorites is a song written by Clancy Hayes - "Huggin' and Chalkin." I don't know where they came up with this great collection of songs but I'm glad they did. There are two Latin medleys that you won't want to miss either with excellent solos by Steve and Eddy as well.”

– John Mumford – webmaster at www.jazzbanjo.com

"I received my copies of your three CDs yesterday and I haven’t stopped playing them. They are just wonderful. I visit your website lessons section and I listen to you playing for inspiration. I watch your video file on You tube (Avalon) about three or four times a week as I really love to watch and hear you play.

I just wanted to let you know that listening to you play tenor banjo makes me tingle with pleasure. I play your music on the way to work and on the way back and when I get home as well. Absolutely wonderful."

-All the best from Bonnie Scotland, John Mullen

"I heard you and Rene on the radio this morning. WINY Putnam, CT. I think it was the first Friday morning that I smiled all the way to work. Both of you were terrific and I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed listening."

~ Dot ~

Well it was worth getting up at 1am on Saturday morning to hear you two play and be interveiwed on WINY, from Putnam, CT, it is a fun station. We liked your arrangemnt of Alabama Jubilee, and we will be listening to WHUS in March. Keep up the good work and keep strumming"

-Rex and Margaret Hills
New Zealand

"As a kid I used to hear about you and your Dad playing at the Ground Round Restaurant and later in life I went to see you. You guys were the best!"

-Paul Hetu

"Steve, I've been meaning to tell you how good your playing is sounding recently. You have been sounding excellent on the 'solo bits;' and your music reading skills have really come into their own. I am so impressed with your dedication and the work you have put into this project. You have really become an invaluable member of the PMO."

-Mark Davis, Director Providence Mandolin Orchestra