DeDoes Bios

Steve – and Mattie – are both “All-Around Players.”

It all starts with the MUSIC, of course…where Steve DeDoes has always proven to be an incredibly versatile talent and unique force.  Across countless genres – from jazz to orchestral, from pop songs to techno grooves…across a range of creative endeavors, from composition to arranging…as a performer, a music director, conductor, and producer.

With credits from the concert stage to digital multimedia, broadcast to feature film, Steve has not only made unforgettable music – he has brought entire live, recorded, and documented productions to life, creating theatrical and thematic works throughout broad application.

Mattie DeDoes‘ alto saxophone sound has developed into a compelling voice for DeDoes Music.  His style and musicianship has evolved into a product all its own – even as his athletic and academic career takes him to new horizons.

The father-son duo has produced two CDs to date, both with Mattie as the featured artist.  In these discs, however, Steve’s arrangements and keyboard work combine with Mattie’s improvisational ideas to help make their soundtracks special.  Whether live in concert or from the studio, their collaborations are distinctive yet universally appealing.  Beyond their work together, both of these musicians have other noteworthy credentials…naturally, Steve has a few more of them, given the “generational” advantage…

Steve DeDoes – Credits

Steve DeDoes’ individual musical legacy is extensive.  Here are just a few of his credits as a composer, arranger, producer, musical director, performer, teacher, and more:

As a Producer:

• “Project: GoldPan,” and other film & video. “Project: GoldPan” was a 1995 promotional film for the U.S. Air Force.  Of course, Steve wrote the music…but he also wrote, directed, and produced this entire award-winning film that profiles an important military capability.
• Original Stage Shows – “You’re Nothing Without Me” was an original musical revue starring vocalist Kristen Ryan in tandem with Steve on piano during the 90′s; “www.holiday-spirit.com” was presented in 1999-2000 with the Meadowbrook Estate at Oakland University.  These and other productions feature Steve’s original songs along with his arrangements and orchestrations
• “Michigan Christmas Air” – an pinnacle among Steve’s many successful CD projects, “MCA” used artists throughout Michigan in an unforgettable presentation of holiday artistry – and was produced for and with the American Lung Association.
• Advertisments – for Little Professor Book Company (TV), “The Vast Difference” at the GEM Theatre (award-winning radio spot, featuring Ernie Harwell)

As a Composer:

• Commercial Works – “Steve DeDoes’ Corporate Projections” soundtrack library (GMP); “Decision ’96″ NPR Theme
• Artistic Works – musical score and soundtrack to the film “Growing Apart” (1996); Kerstin Allvin’s “Origins” (1989-Billboard #5); orchestral works (“Concerto for Jazz Piano,” “Fanfare For The Common Myth”)

In Live Performance:

• Stage Shows, National Tours as Music Director/Pianist – Second City; Purple Rose Theatre Co. (1992-94); Meadowbrook Theatre (1999); nat’l tour of “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (1997-98) with Donny Osmond & Jodi Benson; nat’l tours of “BeeHive,” “I Love You…Now Change” (GEM Theatre); Flint Youth Theatre (1994-96)
• With Prominent Artists – The Four Tops, The Temptations, Aaron Copland, Liza Minelli, Jerry Lewis, Joel Grey, Chuck Mangione, Mel Torme, Rodney Dangerfield, Lea DeLaria, Chenille Sisters, Bob McGrath (Sesame Street), and of course, Mattie DeDoes
• Featured Guest Artist – with Plymouth Community Chorus,  S’Cool Jazz (Schoolcraft College vocal ensemble)

As an Instructor:

• Faculty Positions – Washtenaw Community College, 2005-11 (music theory, arranging, piano); Oakland University (1999-2000)
• Artist-in-Residence – at Eastern Michigan University (1997)
• Guest Lecturer – Wayne State University
• Private Instruction – for composition, arranging, jazz, piano.

Miscellaneous Credits and Background:

• Pontiac-Oakland Symphony principal trombonist, 1977-1985
• Served as operatic music director/conductor for 2011 production of Offenbach’s “The Grand Duchess,” Comic Opera Guild tour & recording

Mattie DeDoes – Credits

Mattie DeDoes has been pursuing his artistry on the saxophone since he was eight years old – and decided that he wanted to express himself through the horn.  Though he continues to hone his incredible craft, he currently is pursuing two other goals:  a baseball career (he is a star collegiate player and professional pitching prospect); and, he majors in physics at Oberlin College.

Musically speaking, Mattie has some impressive credentials in addition to his acclaimed CDs:

Live Performance

• 2011 Limited Summer Concert Tour – including Flint Jazz Festival
• Feature Concerts – “Once More ‘Around The Horn’ in Ann Arbor” (2010)

Recorded Work

• CDs – “I’m A Player” (2009), “Outside The Lines” (2011)
• as sideman on Ryan Yunck’s debut CD, “One Year”
• Soundtracks – sax solos on WJR Internet Advisor Theme (“Cutting Edge,” 2011); “Your Pulse Will Jump” Heartbeats promotional video (2006); “DoorJam” advertisement (2007)

Special Events & Appearances

Mattie DeDoes has appeared at countless benefits, charitable performances, and special occasions as a featured performer, including:

• Congressman Mark Schauer’s election victory party in Dexter, Michigan (2009)
• Radio Interviews – including WJR (Detroit), WOWE (Flint), WDEO (Ann Arbor)

Non-Musical Awards & Accomplishments

• John F. Oberlin Scholarship recipient, 2010-14, Oberlin College
• Trustee Scholarship With Distinction, Adrian College (top scholarship offered by the school)

In addition to his artistic collaborations with his father, Mattie DeDoes has shared the stage as soloist with many noteworthy musicians, including pianist Matt Michaels, vocalist Barbara Ware, harmonica wizard Peter “Madcat” Ruth, and jazz-fusion legend Jeff Lorber.

May 15, 2010 was a day that Mattie (and his fans) will long remember.  He led his #1-ranked (in Michigan) Gabriel Richard high school baseball team to a doubleheader victory in Adrian, Michigan – earning both pitching wins with shutout relief and providing walk-off heroics at the plate – then jumped into the car to close the sold-out Power Center (in Ann Arbor) with a searing sax solo on “Georgia On My Mind,” backed by a full orchestra at the smash “Breakin’ Curfew” concert.