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From The Limelight music section of the Tallahassee Democrat
by Mary Leslie
July 4th, 2008
"A Stern Look" Piano
pro Steve Sternberg tickles the ivories with a mix of boogie-woogie,
blues and ragtime from 6 to 9 pm Thursday at Ray's Steel City Saloon
and Restaurant, 515 John Knox Rd. across from Tallahassee Mall. The
vivaciously versatile Sternberg plays a polished contemporary stryle, a
rollicking barrelhouse and a playful boogie-woogie. In 2002 he won the
Will McLean Foundations's Best New Florida Song Contest for
"Apalachicola Blues." He's the piano accompanist at Temple Israel,
playing for the Fidiay night services, and he performs monthly at
sevceral local retirment homes. The Steel City show is free. Call
386-2984 or visit www.stevesternberg.com
Steve's Boca Raton house concert
Alice Levine, free-lance journalist
June 2nd, 2008
An enthusiastic audience at Stonebridge Country Club greeted
award-winning songwriter Steve Sternberg on Sunday June1st in this West
Boca golf community, an area not usually known for boogie-woogie,
ragtime and blues. Wearing his signature red cap Steve played and sang
a varied program (sometimes with a harmonica on a contraption resting
on his shoulders), never failing to please the assembled group of
boogie-woogie and ragtime fans.
Steve's running commentary highlighted the performance. He had
composed several of the numbers. One lyrical song "Reverie" he
attributed to the death of a sweetheart. A humorous song, "Cat Named
Fred," was conceived after a visit to Apalachicola, a place cose tohis
heart, which, by the way, inspired his award-winning song,
"Apalachicola Blues."
Some of his most rousing numbers were from the 20's and 30's. "Dill
Pickles Rag" and "Death Ray Boogie" in particular brought his audience
back to the very beginnings of jazz. Billy Joel's "Root Beer Rag" was
a bravura piece requiring a top-notch technique.
Steve uses the term "neo-classical" to describe some of his own more
lyrical and tender songs like "The Hidden Jewel," "Springtime," and
"The Mockingbird." His audience enjoyed songs where he used the
talents of Natalie, the teenage daughter of the house-concert hosts.
She whistled with him in his "Whistlin' Blues." And the audience
became his rhythm section on some of the numbers.
Steve is a Floridian to the core. Tallahassee is fortunate to have him. With luck we'll hear him again in Boca.
From The Limelight
By Kati Schardl
February 3rd, 2006
“Might as Well Shout”
Local piano man Steve Sternberg and musical friends Mimi Hearn and Sir
Charles Atkins celebrate the release of Sternberg’s latest CD, Shout
for Joy, Saturday at the United Church in Tallahassee. The disc
showcases Sternberg’s dexterity as well as his versatility on seven
cover tunes and six sparkling originals, including “Apalachicola
Blues.” The latter is an award-winning ditty that captures the
laid-back charm of the funky seaside village. Saturday’s performance
will open with solo, duo and trio performances and concludes with a
dance to the music of Steve Sternberg’s Blues Band. Admission includes
non-alcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres and yummy desserts.
From the Ocala Star Banner
by Ferdie de Vega
March 8, 2002
“Music straight from Florida’s soul at McLean festival”
For
his second-place winning song, "Apalachicola Blues," Sternberg wrote
about the Panhandle town where he teaches piano lessons once a week.
"I was jusrt taken by the laid-back and quaint flavor of this little
fishing village," said Sternberg, who's been writing songs since 1970.
He also gives harmonica, sax, flute and clarinet lessons. Sternberg
said he based his "Apalachicola Blues on "Blues Thang," a tune he
teaches his harmonica sutdents. His girlfriend suggested he write a
song about Apalachicola, and six months ago, he recorded the song at a
Tallahassee studio. Blues singer Charles Atkins sang lead vocals.
Sternberg will perfom at the festival for the first time this year.
"It's a great honor. I entered the contest not really expecting to
win. There are so many great songwriters across the state," he said.
"When I got the call, I was blown away, just thrilled."
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