Saxophonist Steve Cole is one of the most celebrated players in contemporary jazz. The Chicago native grew up on a musical diet of bebop blended with pop radio hits and honed his skills on the diverse Chicago music scene of the 1990s, where he was called upon to play everything from jazz, funk, and gospel to rock, R&B, and soul. He burst onto the smooth jazz scene in 1998 with the album “Stay Awhile,” produced by fellow Chicagoan Brian Culbertson. The disc spawned multiple #1 hits and earned Steve the Oasis Smooth Jazz Award for Best New Artist shortly before the release of his sophomore album, “Between Us.” His catchy singles quickly made him a radio favorite.

In addition to his work as a solo artist, Steve has performed and recorded with artists such as Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Boz Scaggs, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber, and Freddie Cole. He is also a founding member of The Sax Pack, a sax trio completed by Kim Waters and Jeff Kashiwa. On his latest album, “Without a Doubt,” Cole teamed up with producer and songwriter Adam Hawley for a collection of original burners. Cole and Hawley co-wrote all ten tracks on the album, which goes down smooth while being packed with indelible hooks and rhythms — invigorating and groove-filled, funky and fun, soulful and smooth, rollicking and sweet. When he is not on the road, Dr. Cole teaches music industry entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, where he serves as a Clinical Professor and Teaching Fellow.