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About us - what we think you should know. |
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| "Steppin'
Out" has been a group in the Washington,D.C. metro area for several years.
Steppin' Out began as a band called First Light many years ago (10) when Scott Young met Sally Rifkin at a job where there they played
as a duo, keyboards, woodwinds, and vocals. They both showed an affinity
for jazz and swing music, but they also loved the rhythms of funk and r&b.
Scott Taylor, is our male frontperson, whose incredible personality and looks are only matched by his vocal prowess. Dave Murray is our drummer, a member of "The President's Own" Marine band, and plays regularly for whomever in office. He has performed for two different presidents now, both George W. Bush and William Clinton. Bob Williams on guitar, a protege of the world famous and sadly deceased Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan, then Gerry Bowles, whose arrangements for Diana Ross AND the fireman of New York (after 9/11) have been widely televised, and you have all the talent and experience you will ever need for your wedding. About
our leaders team - individuals with talent and experience. Sally
Deborah Rifkin , Lead Vocals, on-site client contact
Some notes about our members....
Scott Taylor, Lead
Vocals
Bob
Williams, Guitarist
PS from Scott--Ever since I met Bob, I have been always blown away by his guitar playing, and his bass playing. He has been a "teachers teacher" for the Montessori schools, giving seminars across the country, and his attitude about life and work are a lesson to us all.
Gerry Bowles, Horn
"section"(picture soon)
Dave Murray, percussion David Murray brings 24 years of percussion experience to our drum chair. He began his career at the age of 15, playing in the R&B clubs of Louisiana, and for weddings and events with the former lead alto player for Ray Charles, Dorsey Summerfield, Jr. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University, and his Masters Degree from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY. David has toured extensively, performing in all 48 states of the mainland US, throughout Europe, and even in the former Soviet Union. David has performed with jazz greats Phil Woods, Billy Taylor, Jimmy Smith, Yuseff Lateef, Max Roach and Dave Samuels; R&B greats Chuck Rainey (bassist on hits for Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Steely Dan), trumpeter Tom Browne (Funkin’ for Jamaica); and “Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton. Although drum-set is his first love, he has also played percussion with the Houston Symphony, the Houston Grand Opera, and the LA Philharmonic, working with conductors Leonard Slatkin, Yuri Temirkanov, Charles Dutoit, and Hollywood legend John Williams. For the last 14 years, David has been a member of “The President’s Own” US Marine Band, providing musical support for three Presidents. Stay tuned for more bios, coming soon. |
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Scott
attended North Texas State University 1972 -74 worked out of Dallas and
Fort Worth with Floyd Dakil, ex alumni of Louis Prima. Played with Maurice
and the Soul Majestics, Billy Day and the Premiers(on bass) and many other
local acts. In 1978 moved to northern Nevada and worked in the Harrahs',
Sahara, MGM,etc.etc. showroom orchestras, backing ( and learning
from) over 400 acts like Tony Bennett, Leo Sayer, Frank Sinatra,
Jack Jones, Dionne Warwick, even Keely Smith, and Sam Butera,etc.
His last orchestra was the John Russell Relief Orchestra,
which by the fact it is the orchestra that plays every house orchestras'
night off, was one of the most prestigious jobs in the casinos, period.That
band had to go to a different showroom every day, rehearse the acts, and
play the show that the "house" orchestra had perfected with many
performances for one night! After encouragement from Steve
Cagan, Melissa Manchesters' conductor(and brother in-law) he moved
to Los Angeles, did a short stint with Melissa, and settled in L.A. Not
finding L.A. anything like Texas (we're not in kansas anymore,toto) he
decided on Washington D.C., where he has played Inaugural Balls,many jingles,
Atlantic City with Clint Holmes,was on Star Search
in october,1989 with the Rivers band (made up of the band
that recorded the soundtracks of American Most Wanted, written
by Charlie Barnett) ,recorded on Mary-Chapin Carpenters'
first CBS cd,"Hometown Girl"( he is the oboe soloist),etc.etc.,
and finally created Steppin' Out.
Fronting
big bands and jazz orchestras alike, Sally has for a decade been one of
the premiere vocalists in D.C., sharing her talents for years with capitol
hill patrons of Joe and Moes' showroom restaurant. The shows
that she and Eric Feltens' big band performed were popular,
featuring herself, many jitterbug dancers--helping to recreate the feel
of the Miller-Dorsey era to a "T". She has also performed at Mick
Fleetwoods club, Fleetwoods, and at Blues Alley with
Jazzmania,
a 10 piece all-original jazz orchestra. Versed in 3 languages,Sally is
a great front person with a lot of personality.
