Stephen Devassy

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Stephen Devassy


Background = Pianist
Born = birth date and age|1981|2|23
Origin = flagicon|India Ottapalam, Palakkad, Kerala
Genre = Classical, Indian, World Music
Associated_acts = Seven, Rexband
Occupation = Pianist, Composer, Arranger
Years_active = 1998–present

Stephen Devassy (born 23 February 1981 in Ottapalam (Palakkad), Kerala) is an Indian pianist. He composes, sets tunes and arranges music for the Indian music industry.

Early life

Stephen Devassy started learning the piano at age 10 and entered the world of music, under the guidance of Leslie Peter who was his first guru. He learnt the organ and then was introduced to the piano by Fr. Thomas at Chetana Music Academy in Thrissur where he completed his Eighth Grade examination conducted by the Trinity College of Music, London. [http://www.webindia123.com/movie/profiles/south/composers/stephen.htm]

Career

Stephen's first major break came when he was just 18 through Johny Sagarika for whom he did the music orchestration of two songs in the album 'Ishtamannu.' He then went as an accompanying artiste to play the keyboard for Hariharan on his European tour.He has also accompanied the violin maestro L. Subramanian at the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival.

At 19 he started a music band called Seven along with singers Franco Simon and Sangeeth. A Hindi pop band, they released an album 'Yeh Zindagani.'

Stephen, who started performing at a young age, has done the music arrangement for many films like Majaa, Thambi, Nammal, Azhagiya Thamizh Magan and Hariharan's album, Waqt Par Bolna.

Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu was his maiden music directorial venture in Malayalam.

He is one of the regular band members in a band called Rex Band, a Christian contemporary band singing gospel fusion. He has had the opportunity to perform before Pope John Paul II. It was the only band from India. Stephen has orchestrated an instrumental version of the popular Rex Band melodies called ‘Different Vibes’. [http://www.webindia123.com/movie/profiles/south/composers/stephen.htm]

In association with Kosmic Music, Stephen has also set to tune to a background of western music, Sanskrit slokas, mantras and verses from the Upanishads, called 'Sacred Chants of Kosmic Music,' and albums of holy chants on Ganesha, Shiva and Vishnu. [http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/05/12/stories/2006051200890300.htm]

Recently, he assisted sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan with his album on Christmas carols, 'Breaking Barriers.'

He has released his album Romanza which is a mix of world music, sprinkled with the flavour of real piano. Indian Ragaas have been treated with the rich use of contemporary piano. Hariharan, Ouseppachan and a Russian vocalist have appeared as guest artistes on the album.

Stephen’s solo stage shows have propelled him to the top league of on-stage performers. [http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/citytimes/2008/January/citytimes_January125.xml&section=citytimes&col=]

Achievements

Stephen is the record holder as Asia’s highest scorer in solo piano exams from Trinity School of Music, London [http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/citytimes/2008/January/citytimes_January125.xml&section=citytimes&col=] with a score of 92.2%.

He also holds the record of completing the course in three years’ time.

Stephen was recently felicitated with a vocational excellence award by the Rotary Club of Cochin Knights, Cochin. [http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEX20080122002639&Page=X&Title=Kochi&Topic=0&]

External links

* http://www.hindu.com/lf/2005/06/12/stories/2005061213120200.htm
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMjxTVx31KU
* http://team1dubai.blogspot.com/2008/01/interview-with-stephen-devassy-my.html