Steve Oliver: East Bay-raised guitarist goes 'Global'

For all the years – and we’re talking in excess of 25 now – I’ve devoted to covering music, there are virtually no artists of whom I can truly say that I knew them when.
In my defense, that’s not particularly unusual. After all, most performers attracting any measure of media attention are either well established national names or local acts who, in the end, rarely evolve into anything more.
That, at least in part, explains my affection for Steve Oliver’s music.
I first interviewed the then-Walnut Creek resident a decade ago in the wake of his debut album, “First View” (1999). The disc featured a few impressive friends – most notably Steve Reid and Jeff Kashiwa of the Rippingtons – but what really sold me was the lyricism of Oliver’s guitar playing, the tracks’ infectious melodies and the artist’s unabashed optimism. Those qualities only deepened on the subsequent releases “Positive Energy” (2002), “3D” (2004) and “Radiant” (2006).
Oliver certainly has won a wider audience in the years since the first of our three or four interviews. If he’s not yet mentioned in the same breath with Peter White and Jonathan Butler, well, I feel it’s only a matter of time.
For evidence, look no further than his latest album, “Global Kiss.” Due out Tuesday, the disc sports plenty of guest artists – Will Donato, Marion Meadows and members of Spyro Gyra, among them – but the real selling point is how it marries Oliver’s trademark melodies to a variety of world beat rhythms. Oliver produced the disc with Nate Harasim and longtime collaborator Spryo keyboard ace Tom Schuman.
Now living in Southern California, here’s what the guitarist had to say about “Global Kiss.” Also check out the video below.

Question: There is a decidedly world beat feel to "Global Kiss." What sort of travels and/or artists inspired that?
Oliver: I did two concert tours to Europe last year … Spain, Germany, London. When I was performing at these beautiful places, the response to my Latin and Brazilian music was great, so I wanted to write and focus an album on global rhythms along with R&B, pop and rock. I am a big fan of Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon, so the vocal songs I wrote on "Global Kiss" also have their influence.

Question: When I put on a Steve Oliver CD, I know I am going to encounter positive vibes. What is that personal and musical optimism rooted in?
Oliver: I am a true believer that music does heal. It is energy. Music gives us goose bumps and makes us happy when we hear certain songs and that's what fuels my fire to give back positive vibes in the songs I write. This optimism comes from how music makes me feel when I listen to other artists and when I am writing music in my studio and performing. I see the power of music.

Question: You are a product of the East Bay. What kind of music influenced you growing up in Walnut Creek?
Oliver: I grew up with the world rhythms of Santana. Then I would listen to the bands Yes, Genesis and loved all the different styles they were playing in their music. Then I love the jazz artists like Pat Metheny, Lee Ritenour, Spyro Gyra and heard the same diversity (in what) they were doing. So what I did was combined all these flavors and make my own sound.

Question: You clearly have a very strong working relationship with Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra. How did that collaboration start? What does he bring to your sound?
Oliver: I have been a fan of Tom's keyboard work with Spyro Gyra. On my second album, "Positive Energy," I asked Tom to play on a couple of songs and from there we develop a great friendship. Tom is a great straight-ahead jazz player and he brings that element into my music, which I love.

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