Steve Beresford

by Joslyn LayneSteve Beresford is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist in jazz and avant-garde music. In addition to his work as a composer and arranger, Beresford plays piano, trumpet, euphonium, low-grade electronics, bass guitar, and more. He began playing piano and studying classical music when he was seven years old, and at the age of 15 started studying orchestral music through the trumpet, to better prepare for reading music at a university level. While at York University, he played the Hammond B-3 organ in a Motown-styled soul music cover band. Beresford remained in York after graduating, where he worked in theater groups and played improvised music, and booked and promoted improvised music concerts — he brought the duo of Han Bennink and Derek Bailey to York during this time. Beresford moved to London in 1974 and got involved with scoring music for films and dance, while he also played music ranging from free improv to reggae. In the late 70s, Beresford was a member of an early version of Company. In 1977, he joined Alterations, a group with guitarist Peter Cusack, flutist David Toop, and Terry Day on percussion, that would last for nine years. In the early 90s, he and Evan Parker coordinated the Dedication Orchestra, which covers the compositions of South African jazz greats. In 1994, he performed with Shaking Ray Levis. In the late 90s, he taught piano once a week at a North London school and improvisation at the University of Westminster.