Steve Berry

• Job title: Jazz Lead and Double Bass Tutor
• Department(s): Jazz, Strings
• Specialism(s): Double Bass, Improvisation, Jazz Double Bass

Beginning as a self-taught singer-songwriter guitarist in the 1970s, an encounter with a jazz saxophonist changed everything in 1976, when Steve was 19 years old. The guitar soon took a back seat, double bass becoming Steve’s prime focus and a passport into a whole host of different playing contexts, including jazz gigs and West End shows.

Steve’s degree-level study was in Fine Art, a degree he never completed, taking a gap year midway through. He is now in his 48th gap year…

Apart from individual lessons with Chris Laurence, Daryl Runswick and Dave Holland, he also completed a year studying on a Guildhall School of Music and Drama  Postgraduate course, in 1983.

His work as bassist and composer with Loose Tubes catapulted Steve into prominence in 1985. The band was very active both in Europe and North America over the following years.

On a Contemporary Music Network tour of the UK with Loose Tubes in 1986, he took part in workshops at various locations, alongside the band’s more experienced band members. This whet his appetite for teaching and learning, seeing him become increasingly called upon for workshops and masterclasses in the following years.

He assumed posts at the RNCM and Chetham’s at the start of the 1990s, continuing at both to the present day. In 2019 he became Head of Jazz & Improvisation at the RNCM.

Steve’s work at Chetham’s is primarily concerned with leading eight small ensemble jazz classes each week, helping students to develop their improvisational skills and knowledge of the key elements involved in playing jazz.

He also gives one-to-one instrumental lessons, usually on double bass, but he has also taught bass guitar and cello too in recent years.

Photo credit: Derren Lee Poole