STEVE WASHINGTON
Steve Washington has been performing since the early ‘80s with humble beginnings in Princeton University’s college singing groups and theatrical productions. After Princeton, Steve appeared in numerous professional theatrical productions. In the late 80s, forays into dramatic theater landed him a spot in a workshop for aspiring actors administered by the Shakespeare Theater at the Folger culminating in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in which Steve was cast as Demetrius. In 1989, Steve became a member of Actors’ Equity (the actor’s union) when cast in a 1990 Arena Stage production of Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along.
After Merrily, Steve auditioned in NYC for Jean Ann Ryan Productions and was cast as principal vocalist of several production shows to be performed on the Queen Elizabeth II.
In the 90s, after the QEII, Steve shifted his focus to music fronting some of DC’s top bands and orchestras and sharing stages with the Marvelettes, the Drifters, the Supremes, the Village People, Peter Noon, Gary Pucket, Orleans, comedian Steven Wright, and others. As a freelance vocalist, Steve performed in DC area jazz & blues clubs and performance spaces, including numerous sold-out appearances at the world-famous Blues Alley Jazz Supper Club.
In the late 90s, Steve returned to the theater in a production that would change the level and quality of theatrical productions in the cruise-ship industry when cast in an ambitious production of Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s Broadway review Hey Mr. Producer, appearing as the Engineer of Miss Saigon, Valjean of Les Miserables, and the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. Steve has said, "tackling those characters and famous numbers under the guidance of Sir Mackintosh himself and his directorial team remains one of the most rewarding experiences of my career."
Steve is a featured vocalist on other artist’s CDs and a demo vocalist for songwriters from DC to New York City. Steve has also traveled the world touring Italy with the Steve Washington Project and headlining on many of the world’s finest luxury ships. His big-band cabaret acts, "Nat & Sammy Remembered" (a loving tribute to Nat "King" Cole and Sammy Davis, Jr.) and "Rhythm, Blues & Broadway" (plain-old good fun) continue to be well received on both land and sea.
Currently, Steve is the co-lead vocalist for Raggs & the AllStars (aka the SRO Orchestra) and continues to freelance playing notable clubs and performance spaces like Blues Alley, the Carlyle Club, the Atlas Theater, and the Katzen Arts Center, Arts in Motion Theater (Leisure World), Riderwood, the Chrysalis Amphitheater, etc.
Steve's 2015 CD release, Right to Love, enjoyed a triumphant debut at New York City’s renowned jazz cabaret, the Metropolitan Room, resulting in multiple encore appearances throughout 2016. Steve's appearances at the Metropolitan Room led to other dates in other parts of New York state as well as lasting relationships with musicians and venues well beyond the DMV. Right to Love still receives radio play across the USA, into Canada, and as far away as Australia. Thus far, here’s what they’re saying:
“... personally and beautifully interpreted ... brimming with honest feeling and passion, a truly mesmerizing experience.” — Jim Olin (All About Jazz)
“... the kind of phrasing you got from the Coles, Eckstines ... more jazz in his soul than a Broadway cat can be expected to show ... a fine set….” — Chris Specter (Midwest Record)
"... a wonderful CD ... an excellent vocalist ... 'Caravan,' 'Quiet Nights,' 'The Lamp Is Low,' 'Alright Okay You Win,' and 'Avalon' are right in the pocket." — Jim Stone, host of "Big Band Swing" on WNLZ Lansing MI
In 2018, Steve returned to international travel with a two-month tour of Russia, part 1 in March and part 2 in October, playing clubs and concert halls from one end of the country to the other. The March leg of the tour culminated in a full-house performance at the US Embassy in Moscow with Steve and the Russian Trio as special guests of then US Ambassador Jon Huntsman.
The 2018 Russian tour produced a notable CD recorded in Moscow entitled Skylark. Already released in Russia, Skylark will be released in the United States if the masters can be secured. This has been complicated by the current Russia-Ukraine war.
In 2019, Steve was a featured vocalist with the renowned Smithsonian Masterworks Jazz Orchestra for a concert tribute to the music of Nat “King” Cole at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Shortly thereafter, Steve was invited to be the vocalist for Westminster Jazz’s tribute concert honoring the music and legacy of Billy Eckstine, aka “Mr. B.” In February 2022, Steve opened the Wilmington Jazz Festival. In 2023 and 2024, Steve has also been a featured vocalist with Newmyer Flyer productions and has thusly appeared at the Barns at Wolf Trap, the Birchmere, the Hamilton, and the Bethesda Theater. In addition to freelancing in the most popular venues in the DMV and beyond, for several years now, Steve has been the featured New Year’s Eve headliner at the Mr. Henry’s, the legendary Capitol Hill restaurant & jazz lounge where Roberta Flack held court before being whisked away by Atlantic Records and becoming a Grammy-winning recording star.
Steve continues to be a frequently requested artist in venues across the DMV and beyond and is enjoying this current chapter in his music career and looking forward to new audiences, new venues, and new adventures.
