Written on 3 September 2025 - 300 views
Pianist, drummer, bassist and composer, Valeriy Stepanov stands out as one of the most versatile musicians of the contemporary jazz scene. Between groove, virtuosity and prestigious collaborations, he embodies the new generation of international jazz fusion.
When talking about modern jazz fusion, one often thinks of American or European collectives. But for about fifteen years, a Russian musician has been shaking up the codes with his virtuosity and energy: Valeriy Stepanov. Pianist? Yes. Drummer? Also. Bassist, singer, arranger, composer, sound engineer… The list goes on. In reality, one could almost say that Stepanov is a band all by himself.
Valeriy was born in 1990 in Irkutsk, Siberia. Very early, the piano became his playground: he started at six and was composing by nine. As a teenager, he moved to Moscow and entered the Central Music School of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where he studied composition with Roman Ledenev. This dual training – classical and creative – forever shaped his way of thinking about music. In Moscow, he immersed himself in the jazz club scene and found a natural home at the Kozlov Club. There, he was noticed as a flamboyant keyboardist, but also as a multi-instrumentalist ready to try anything live.
It’s hard to put Stepanov into a single box. His pieces combine funk energy, jazz freedom and the modern sounds of synthesizers. His playing is full of sophisticated voicings, odd meters and strong grooves. On stage, he can start a song on the keyboards, switch to drums, grab a bass and then take the mic… a true “one-man fusion band”. His aesthetic sometimes recalls Chick Corea, Snarky Puppy or even the Japanese fusion tradition, but always with a style of his own: brilliant, energetic, sometimes cinematic.
The year 2017 marked a turning point with the release of his first major solo album, New Beginnings. Released on Skytown Records, this record allowed him to present himself to the world as a complete musician: he played almost all the instruments and invited stars such as U-Nam, Marion Meadows, Eric Marienthal and Andrey Chmut. The album navigates between smooth jazz and modern fusion and gave Stepanov international visibility.
He then founded the Valeriy Stepanov Fusion Project (VSFP), a group conceived as a true musical laboratory where prestigious guests converge. Several albums and live recordings followed, including Album No.1, Album No.2 and Live 1, 2 and 3. These projects featured renowned musicians such as Alex Hutchings on guitar, Gergo Borlai and Calvin Rodgers on drums, and Eric Marienthal on saxophone.
Another key moment in his career came in 2018 when he shared the stage with Chick Corea during a tribute at Tchaikovsky Hall. The two musicians improvised together in a video that still circulates on YouTube today: a rare moment that illustrates the passing of the torch between generations.
At the same time, Stepanov teamed up with drummer Arkadiy Kornev for a series of albums entitled VSAK, with more experimental sounds, where fusion blends with progressive and cinematic atmospheres.
Among the emblematic titles of his repertoire, “On the Stork’s Wings”, recorded with guitarist Alex Hutchings, stands out as a lyrical flight where guitar and keyboards engage in an intense dialogue. “Positivity” perfectly sums up his aesthetic, with an irresistible groove and a luminous melody. In “Believe in Yourself”, featuring Eric Marienthal, the encounter between smooth jazz and fusion energy is striking. And to taste his funkier, west coast side, “Tonight”, in collaboration with U-Nam, remains a highlight of New Beginnings.
Valeriy Stepanov perfectly embodies this generation of musicians capable of doing everything: writing, playing, producing and sharing their music. His career proves that it is possible to combine technical mastery with unbridled creativity, while remaining accessible to a wide audience. He attracts world-class musicians without ever losing his own identity. And above all, every concert, every YouTube video or new album overflows with positive energy and musical generosity.
If you love modern jazz, groove and music that radiates, keep this name in mind: Valeriy Stepanov.
See you soon, here or elsewhere !
Chrys
