Music gem Steve Koven at the Opal Jazz Lounge

What makes a good musician great?

A gifted musician's true splendour of undeniable talent must emanate as a whole from the musical instrument like the brilliant opulence of a fiery opal gem. 

Such was the case when Steve Koven graced the red piano on stage at the Opal Jazz Lounge on 472 Queen St. West in Toronto last nite.

Steve Koven Bio:

Toronto based Steve Koven began his musical career studies at the age of 7 years old and has continued his studies with jazz masters Benny Green, Geoff Keezer, Bruce Barth, Mark Eisenman and Brian Rudolf.

Steve Koven has performed solo piano concerts throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean.  An abounding composer for film and television Steve also conducts classes, workshops and clinics at high schools, universities and jazz festivals.

Steve is on the staff of York University where he teaches Contemporary Improvisation , Jazz Piano and Business for today's music industry. Steve Koven official website: http://www.stevekoven.com)

What makes Steve likeable on stage is his tremendous talent on the piano, his smiling personality and his uncanny ability to connect to his audience with his musical talent and hi-energy performances.

Rolling Stone magazine says: "Steve Koven represents the healthy future of jazz."

After briefly speaking to Steve I realized the probable reasons for his great success in the dog eat dog world of music:

Steve has an effortless passion for music and loves to perform for an audience. 

Steve is a great musician because he never loses interest in learning something new about his craft and that helps him grow as a person as well as a musician. 

In addition Steve takes the time to speak to his audience after the show and for this I truly believe that Steve's pleasant personality and huge talent on the piano have been 'key' to his undeniable success in jazz music.

* Steve Koven takes the PRIMUS STAGE at NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE  ( Queen and Bay ) on June 21st 2008 at 4:00 PM  

Cost: Free Admission 

This is a fun, high energy band featuring Kenny Kirkwood - sax and percussion. Dan Bone - sax, bass clarinet and percussion, Nick Fraser - drums, Rob Clutton - bass and Steve Koven - piano, keys and percussion. 

Tomitheos reporting from Toronto