Recently I caught up with San Francisco native Stephanie Teel, an icon in the Bay Area music scene and beyond.
Kit Kennedy: Your dad Mark Teel was a renowned sax player. When did you know that you wanted to make music?
Stephanie Teel: I knew I wanted to play the guitar when my grandfather gave me a guitar and taught me how to play two chords. I was 12 years old and got hooked.
I always sang to myself and along with the radio as a child.
Kit Kennedy: Who were your early influences?
Stephanie Teel: The folkies of the early 1960’s: Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Peter, Paul & Mary, Linda Ronstadt. Later, when I heard Jimi Hendricks and Janis Joplin, I turned to electric guitar.
My parents influenced me in more sophisticated music, taking me to concerts of Ella Fitzgerald, Kenny Burrell, Andre Segovia, and the music my father played in Big Bands and orchestras.
I was also drawn to the funk, blues, Motown, and reggae musicians. Also Prince, Aretha, Chaka Kahn, Bob Marley, James Brown, and especially Bonnie Raitt.
Kit Kennedy: Who inspires you?
Stephanie Teel: Bonnie Raitt will always be big on my list. Her music and style always keep me learning some of her songs to play at my gigs.
Guitarists that inspire me are Joe Satriani, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Eric Clapton. The musicians I play with in my band and other bands inspire me.
Kit Kennedy: Your musical career spans decades, since you formed the Stephanie Teel Band in the 1980s. How do you stay creative?
Stephanie Teel: As far as the cover dance music we play, I stay creative by trying to keep somewhat current with what people are listening to, and also to find older tunes and do them in a new way. Going out to hear other bands and concerts, when I have time, is a great way for me to get fresh song ideas.
In my songwriting, I’ll take ideas from life’s situations and make them my own. Or take my own life and spin it in a different direction.
Kit Kennedy: What advice do you have for newer artists?
Stephanie Teel: Go out and play live as much as you can. Don’t shut out the audience by just ignoring them as you jam with the band.
You’ve practiced hard, bought good music equipment, made business connections and you’ve booked your own gigs. Never play for free!
Kit Kennedy: When you’re not making music and are at home near Ocean Beach, what do you enjoy doing?
Stephanie Teel: I surf Ocean Beach when the waves are manageable enough for me, or surf Pacifica. I teach guitar lessons from home. Also, I enjoy time with my partner Jill, doing home projects and playing Mahjong. We are also sailors, and go sailing on the Bay throughout the year.
Kit Kennedy: You’ve been granted one wish. What is it?
Stephanie Teel: Wow! Besides curing all diseases in the world?
My own selfish wish would be that my mother was still alive to hear my original music and meet my new friends and fans that didn’t get to know her.
Kit Kennedy: Currently your band’s fabulous musicians include Roy Schmall (keyboards/ vocals), Steve Valverde (vocals, bass guitar) and Robin Roth (drums b/u vocals). Congrats on your new album, “Going Coastal,” which is soon to be released. Tell us about it.
Stephanie Teel: Yes, the new album is called “Going Coastal.” The single from the album is “No Fear,” which is available now as a download MP3, on iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, etc.
Seven of the nine songs on the CD are my original songs. The album name is “Going Coastal” because many of the songs reflect my love of the ocean. Besides my band, I also have additional musicians who have added their talent to this project: Sonya Jason, sax; Paul Dorr and Tony Macaroni Keys; Jon Otis drums and percussion; Carole Mayedo, violin. Also, my late drummer Steve Cameron, who died last year, played on two songs.
The album is in his memory.
The CD will be released in January 2015.
Kit Kennedy: Looking forward, I know you’re playing Winter Solstice at The Barge. Where else?
Stephanie Teel: Yes, I’m playing at the Barge (Sausalito Cruising Club) on December 21. Here’s the schedule so far. Come dance with us! And thanks for all your support!
Sunday, December 21
Barge Christmas Party!
Sausalito Cruising Club
300 Napa Street, Sausalito
Featuring the Stephanie Teel Band (Steph, Steve, Roy, Robin)
$10 door charge, and an additional $13 if you want dinner.
Please RSVP the day before to: events@sausalitocruisingclub.org with the names of your guests, and indicate if you’d like a reserved table.
Saturday, Dec. 27
Nicks
100 Rockaway Beach Avenue,
Pacifica
Stephanie plays with the Sound Waves
8 at midnight. Ocean view dining, large dance floor, friendly bar.
Sunday, December 28
Half Moon Bay Brewery
With the Cruise Tones
:00–10:00pm
Tuesday, December 30
The Fairmont San Jose Hotel Lobby
Stephanie and Dana duo,
8:30–11:30
Saturday, January 3
Roosters Roadhouse
1700 Clement Avenue, Alameda
New Year’s Party with the Stephanie Teel Band. $12 door charge.
Thursday, January 8
Java Beach Café
2650 Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco
Friday, April 10
Seahorse Sausalito
305 Harbor Drive, Sausalito
$15 door charge.
To contact Stephanie Teel,
please e-mail her at:
music@stephanieteel.com
To keep up-to-date with
Stephanie Teel Band, go to:
www.stephanieteel.com
Kit Kennedy is the “San Francisco Bay Times” Poet in Residence. For more information, please visit www.poetrybites.blogspot.com and www.kit.awegallery.com
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