Steve Huffsteter

Trumpet and flugelhorn player, composer, arranger

Born in Michigan, raised in Arizona from age 10, Steve Huffsteter started playing trumpet at 8 and started playing professionally while still in high school. He attended Arizona State at Tempe and worked in the Phoenix area until he moved to Los Angeles in 1959. Starting in 1960 with Stan Kenton, Huffsteter has worked with most of the name big bands on the West Coast, including Sy Zentner, Les Brown, Ray Charles, Louie Bellson, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Billy Berry, Benny Carter, Bill Watrous, Bill Holman, Shorty Rogers, Clare Fisher, Bob Florence, Gordon Brisker, Matt Cattingub and Tom Talbert. In addition, Steve has worked and recorded with many smaller bands such as Shorty Rogers, Supersax, Willie Bobo, Pete Cristlieb, Paulino Da Costa, Moacir Santos, Jim Morris' Brass Plus, Poncho Sanchez, the Dave Pell Octet, and since 1994, the Cecilia Coleman Quintet, with whom he has recorded two CDs. Steve Huffsteter has backed many singers such as Tony Bennett, Nat "King" Cole, Mel Torme,
Ella Fitzgerald, Jack Jones, Diane Schurr, Natalie Cole, Julie Kelly, Mike Campbell, Debbie Reynolds, Toni Tenille, Vicci Carr, Dean Martin and others. Steve has recorded more than 80 albums and CDs, including his own "Circles" with Pete Cristlieb, Roger Kellaway, Monte Budwig and Joey Baron.