Album Notes

“Distant Sky”, the new CD by saxophonist Steven Markus Bernstein, is a collection of 12 original songs in the genres of Funk, Blues, and Americana.

Produced in Austin and engineered by Ron Flynt (80’s band 20/20) of Jumping Dog Studio, “Distant Sky” features performances by Ian McLagan, Malford Milligan, Ponty Bone, Barry “Frosty” Smith, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, and Danny Levin.

Six compositions have won awards from the Austin Songwriter’s Group in the Instrumental,Blues, and General categories. The composition “Frosty”, a Funk tribute to the drummer of the same name, made the finals of The International Songwriting Competition. It was the only Funk tune to achieve this honor.

Bernstein wrote and produced all the songs on the CD as well as playing tenor, soprano, alto and baritone saxophones.

Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones. (Bernstein is a member), are featured on two Americana tunes (Accommodating Lover & Into the Night). Austin Music Legend Malford Milligan lends his considerable vocal skills to the Soul Ballad, “What is Love”, accompanied by Ian McLagan’s brilliant performance on the baby grand piano.

The CD concludes with a ballad featuring some exquisite guitar improvisation from “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb (The Resentments, others), followed by the title track that Bernstein feels inspired the project.

Bernstein has played in bands since the age of 14, opening for The Who & Jefferson Airplane and performing at the legendary Fillmore East. He has also played with Latin greats Tito Puente, Joe Cuba, Blues greats Sonny Rhodes, W. C. Clark, Little Beaver, Lonnie Shields, and the group Valentine (the street corner singers in the movie “Rocky”) and has appeared on several national TV shows.