Steve Kaufman was introduced to music early in his life. His father, a jazz pianist, and his mother, a classically trained pianist, encouraged him to find his own musical niche. He was encouraged to play the piano at the ripe old age of four and later on he moved on to the cello. At ten, he started playing the guitar, but after a few years of strumming, he quit and tucked the guitar under his bed. It wasn't until Steve was a teenager that this boy genius pulled that guitar out from under the bed, started picking it and he hasn't stopped since.
Steve is well acquainted with Winfield and the Walnut Valley Festival. He has been growing his own personal legend a little at a time and it all adds up to one giant of a genius on the guitar. As a matter of fact, Steve, along with Nebraska's Jason Shaw, are the only three time winners of the prestigious National Flat Pick Guitar Championship held at the Walnut Valley Festival. He won the award in 1978, 1984 and again in 1986.
His music covers a broad range of styles including bluegrass favorites, popular swing standards, Irish and Appalachian fiddle tunes, folk and country classics and novelty tunes. Steve has traveled extensively since 1976, pleasing crowds from California to Austria and he has performed in a wide variety of settings from elementary schools and colleges to major festivals and concerts.
Not only is Kaufman an excellent performer, but also an exceptional workshop teacher. His workshop skills are based on traditional, contemporary and original music. If you ever have a chance, attend one of his workshops. You won't be sorry you did.
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