Chris Steele began playing drums in his family band at the age of 8. His college career started in the town of Youngstown, OH where he completed a bachelor of music degree. He then moved to Los Angeles where a music scholarship to USC allowed him to finish his Masters in jazz studies. Along with the course curriculum Chris also studied privately with Ndugu Chancler, Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton, Zoro, Gregg Field, John Riley, and anyone else who was willing!
While at USC, Chris had the fortuitous opportunity to perform a drum duet with legendary swing drummer Louie Bellson. Chris also toured as the drummer for the Glenn Milller orchestra in 2001
Cary Brothers gave Chris his first TV appearance on the “Late Late Show” with Craig Kilborn as he performed “Blue Eyes.” Behind the scenes you can hear Chris’s drumming on the score from the movies Dawn of the Dead, Four Brothers, and Nicholas Cage’s film Drive Angry. In front of the camera you can see Chris as Jim Carey’s drummer in The Majestic. Chris has performed with and or recorded with the following artists from all genres including David Foster, Bryan Adams, Deborah Gibson, Barry Manilow, John Popper, Colbie Calliat, Rusted Root, Matisyahu, and The Wailers. Recently, Chris was the drummer for the Emmy winning television production of “Grease Live” He can be heard on the show and soundtrack playing drums behind Boys II Men, Carly Rae Jepson, Julianne Hough, Vanessa Hudgens, Aaron Tveit, and the rest of the cast.
From 2006-2011 Chris had been touring and recording as a member of the Trevor Hall Band (THB).
He can be heard on the records, “This is Blue,” Alive and On the Road,” and “Chasing The Flame”
Chris played drums and percussion with The Trevor Hall Band and they toured consistently with Michael Franti & Spearhead, Colbie Caillat, Matisyahu, Ziggy Marley, Stevie Nicks, Rusted Root, Little Feat, John Popper, and Jimmy Cliff.
From 2011 to today Chris can be heard recording and touring with acoustic guitarist Ottmar Liebert. Chris has recorded drums and percussion on all the records he has released in the past five years. In 2014 Chris released his own record “Mistakes, Mishaps, and Other Things of Character”
This record also features long time mentor Peter Erskine in a series of drum and percussion duets.