Steven Markus Bernstein
Steve Bernstein started playing in band at the age of fourteen. His first band of note was a 10 piece blues and comedy band, Sweet Stavin Chain, in Philadelphia. Their first gig was opening for The Who on a Friday and Saturday night at The Electric Factory where they played frequently in 1969, also playing in Fairmount Park at the many “Be Ins” of that year. They also opened for the Jefferson Airplane and recorded an album at Atlantic Studios in New York where he met Wilson Pickett. “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”, often played on the Doctor Demento Show was recorded at that time.
Filled with wonder lust, Steve headed for the San Francisco area and it was during that time that playing the saxophone became his calling.
After a year on the west coast he left for Coconut Grove where he played with Little Beaver who wrote “Clean up Woman” for Betty Wright, and did some studio work at TK productions. Steve also played in a couple Latin Rock bands. He grew to appreciate listening to artists such as Tito Puente and Joe Cuba who he later would have the privilege of regularly sitting in with when he helped manage a night club in Atlantic City.
He returned to Philadelphia and eventually joined a group called Valentine, who was featured as the street corner singers in the movie Rocky. His first gig with them was at The Roxy in LA, and appeared on the Dinah Shore Show, Jim Nabors Show, and the Mike Douglas Show after returning to Philly.
Steve continued to play mostly in blues bands during this time and also started coming down to Austin to visit his sister, Samantha. While visiting Austin he sat in with WC. Clark, with whom he later toured.
Steve moved down to Austin permanently with his son in 1999 and began playing with several local bands. He also began writing songs and joined the Austin Songwriting Group, winning six awards to date for his compositions. In 2008 he recorded and produced the CD, “Distant sky” of all original material under the name Steven Markus Bernstein.