Steve Reid has been playing professionally for more than 20 years in many bands and orchestras of varying musical styles. From 1990-1994, he played lead trumpet for Disneyland and Walt Disney World backing up and working with artists such as Bobby Shew, Maynard Ferguson, Della Reese, Joe Williams, Jerry Hey, Matt Harris, Diane Schurr, Rosemary Clooney, Billy Taylor, Mercer Ellington and Lionel Hampton. He worked with Columbia Artist Management and played solo trumpet for the touring "Tribute to Artie Shaw" big band featuring the Ink Spots, Julius La Rosa and Abe Most.
Steve attended the University of North Florida and the University of Miami. While working on a degree in Jazz Performance he played lead trumpet for countless artists in both university big bands.
From 1994-2000, Steve played the “Cat Anderson” book and lead trumpet with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington. While touring with the Ellington Orchestra, he played with Maureen McGovern, Cleo Laine, Ramsey Lewis and Joe Williams. The orchestra has worked extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, Canada, and in Japan where they performed at each Blue Note jazz club throughout the country. With the band, led by Paul Mercer Ellington in 2000, Steve backed Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, and Branford Marsalis.
While living in New York, Steve also played in the pit orchestras for the broadway musical productions of Cats and Miss Saigon. In the spring of 1997, Steve toured extensively playing lead trumpet for Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau band. He appeared with Ferguson on BET television.
After completing a 3 year contract in New Orleans, playing lead trumpet at the Famous Door on Bourbon Street, he worked as a free lance trumpet player in Miami. He regularly played recording sessions in town and has recently performed live and recorded an internationally released cd and DVD called "Jam Miami" with Arturo Sandoval, Chick Corea, Steve Turre, Claudio Roditi, Ed Calle, and Poncho Sanchez. Steve also performed with Michael Feinstein, Shirley MacLaine, the Woody Herman band and Ray Charles while in Miami.
After moving to Los Angeles in 2002, Steve joined KC and the Sunshine Band. For three years he played lead and solo trumpet on over 100 dates a year in cities all over the U.S., Canada and Europe. Along with the extensive live performance schedule, this band appeared on many daytime and late night talk television shows including Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show, the Ellen Degeneres Show, Graham Norton, and the Today Show among others.
Steve has completed his second year with the Brian Setzer Orchestra. While on tour, this band has been featured on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show, the Today Show, the Rachel Ray Show, and the Tony Danza Show among others. Most recent recording credits include a national television spot for Ritz crackers currently airing in the states. Steve recently recorded for Javon Jackson, Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond's grammy nominated album, "Free to Worship".
As a freelance musician in southern California, Steve works regularly with various artists and acts playing a variety of musical styles.
