A fine New Orleans guitarist whose advanced improvisations display the influence of his native city's early jazz and RB scenes (at least rhythmically), Steve Masakowski attended Berklee in 1974. He invented the key-tar in 1978, an early guitar synthesizer. In 1982, he recorded for his own private Prescriptions label and he has since made albums as a leader for Blue Note and appeared as a sideman on dates led by Rick Margitza, Mose Allison, Red Tyler, Tony Dagradi, and Johnny Adams, among others. He has also toured with Dianne Reeves. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi