Steve Horowitz: The Eclectic Bassist and Composer
Steve Horowitz is an American bassist, composer, and producer known for his genre-defying work across jazz, experimental rock, and film scoring. Hailing from New York, his career is marked by a prolific output of albums and a Grammy Award win for his production work on the 2004 comedy album The American Songbook by The Capitol Steps.
Early career
Emerging from the vibrant New York City music scene in the 1990s, Steve Horowitz established himself as a versatile and inventive bass player. He co-founded the avant-garde jazz-rock ensemble The Code International, which released its debut album Funbox in 1996, showcasing his complex compositions and rhythmic foundation.
Breakthrough
Horowitz's profile rose significantly in the early 2000s through his work in film and a major industry accolade. His Grammy win in 2004 for Best Comedy Album as a producer brought wider recognition, paralleling his growing activity in scoring for independent films and television projects for networks like PBS and Showtime.
Key tracks
Monkey Business — This track from The Code International's early work highlights Horowitz's funky, slap-bass technique and the group's quirky, improvisational style.
Theme from The Naked Brothers Band — As composer for this popular Nickelodeon series, Horowitz's catchy, rock-infused theme song reached a massive television audience.
March of the Penguins (Score) — His atmospheric contributions to the soundtrack of this Oscar-winning documentary display his skill in creating evocative, cinematic soundscapes.
Following this period, Horowitz continued to diversify, leading projects like The President's Breakfast and releasing solo albums such as 2012's Frozen Orange. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, from jazz vocalist Debbie Deane to members of the band Morphine, always pushing the boundaries of his low-end instrument.
Artists exploring a similar fusion of jazz, rock, and avant-garde ideas include Medeski Martin and Wood — This trio shares a deep groove-centric approach and a love for improvisation. Les Claypool — Both are master bassists known for a percussive, melodic, and often humorous playing style. Mike Watt — A fellow bassist and singer whose work in punk and beyond embodies a fiercely independent, genre-blurring spirit.
Steve Horowitz's eclectic catalog finds a home on various radio stations featured on this website. His jazz-rock fusion works are staples on independent music radio stations, while his more accessible compositions receive airplay on alternative rock radio stations and eclectic online rock radio streams.
The innovative music of Steve Horowitz can be heard across the radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his genre-spanning work by tuning into the diverse selection of stations available on onairium.com.
