About Steve

Multiple Grammy-nominated trombonist, composer, arranger, leader, author, cartoonist, and educator Steve Wiest started his musical career in Hattiesburg Mississippi. First in the school music programs of Gary Cook, and later under the guidance of Raoul Jerome at the University of Southern Mississippi. Through the culture and community found in Hattiesburg, the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and all throughout the south, Wiest gained a priceless foundation in jazz and popular musics of all types.

After graduating from USM. Steve moved to Chicago and began touring with the great Maynard Ferguson where he was lead trombonist and one of a talented stable of young writers for the band. Many of his works including South 21st Shuffle, Compared to You, and Blues From Space, were recorded by Ferguson during those years. After leaving the band for a career in academia, Wiest continued to write for Maynard penning such arrangements as the Grammy-nominated Besame Mucho, and the Bill Withers classic Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone, both featured on Maynard’s final album The One and Only. While teaching at the university level, Wiest continued his performing career touring with Doc Severinsen and the Old Tonight Show Band (Snooky Young, Conte Candoli, Ernie Watts, Ed Shaughnessy et al) and along the way worked with David Clayton Thomas, Frank Mantooth, and many others.

Steve was initially the Assistant Director of Jazz at the University of Texas at Arlington, followed by many years as Director of Jazz and Trombone at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. After UWW, Wiest followed Neil Slater as Director of the seven-time Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas where he received two more Grammy noms for the album Lab 2009 (Best Jazz Ensemble) and his composition Ice-Nine (Best Instrumental Composition) Wiest’s final university post was as co-director along with Art Bouton of jazz at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music.

With six major recording projects to his credit as a leader (Excalibur: The Steve Wiest Big Band, Out of the New: The Steve Wiest Quintet, Concerto for Folded Space, Phröntrange: The High Road, and Vinyl Hampdin RED nd BLUE) a critically well received lead trombone text called Leadology, being the host of his own popular podcast titled You Dig, a science fiction novel titled Concerto for Folded Space, and his on-going work as an illustrator, cartoonist, and author Wiest is wonderfully busy and in high demand these days in multiple genres and categories of creative endeavor.

Steve makes his home in Lincoln Square, Chicago Illinois with his wonderful wife Deborah and their cray-cray golden retriever, Phoebe.

Steve plays the Edwards T302 Excalibur trombone and Griego Steve Wiest mouthpiece exclusively.

Listen to Steve

What They’re Saying

“Steve is one of the greatest lead and jazz trombonists in the world.”

Keith O’Quinn, New York-based world-renowned studio trombonist

“Steve Wiest is a pioneer. Fearless. A visionary who dares to break convention. His music erupts from deep within, unrestricted and unapologetic. This work isn’t seeking approval—it’s a pure, joyous expression of his soul. Oh, and he’s got that sly grin!”

Jimmy Pankow, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Composer/Trombonist Chicago

“Steve Wiest is one of the finest arrangers on the scene! His music is powerful and lovely. He knows the ensemble and how to use and write for it. It is wonderful to have his creativity added to our jazz repertoire!”

John Clayton: legendary composer/arranger/bassist Co-Leader Hamilton Clayton Orchestra

“Steve Wiest plays the trombone like it should be played!… and also writes music that should be written!”

Randy Brecker: Seven-Time Grammy-Winning jazz trumpet and composer legend 

Steve’s PR Photos

The following images are available in a single download. Click the button below.

Photos by Alan Luntz