Meet Stephen Sylvia

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephen Sylvia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephen, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Music has always been my passion. Playing the saxophone grounded me through my childhood and well into my 20s, and for a long time I never believed it could be a real career. I worked in the insurance industry for years, and as I added musical performances as a side hustle, I realized I needed to make a paradigm shift. Eventually, I left the security of my job and took a deep dive into the creative and unpredictable world of being a full-time musician.
Since then, I’ve performed at weddings, corporate events, celebrations of life, engagements, and birthdays. I’ve collaborated with dozens of DJs, played on cruise ships and at vineyards, and performed throughout Arizona, California, Florida, and along the East Coast.
Being a creative and small business owner means there’s no safety net—you don’t earn when you’re not performing, especially during slow summer months when it’s 115 degrees in Arizona. But for me, it’s worth it. Waking up every day and loving what I do is a privilege I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work tirelessly at my craft. The thing that sets me apart from others is my drive; I work harder than everybody else. To be a professional musician is a tough career. It is similar to acting in that you get 1 yes for every 20 no’s. You can’t take it personally; it’s business. I play the alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones. I also sing and play guitar. I love to bring a total sensory experience to people in many different types of venues. I play a very wide range of genre’s of music whether it’s alone with professional backing tracks, as a duo, in a band, or with a DJ. My goal is to electrify and delight the audience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was coming from Boston to visit me in the Valley of the Sun, there are some must sees to experience. I would take the on a hike to the top of Camelback mountain. We would then go to LGO to have breakfast outdoors. We would go to the Desert Botanical Gardens to see the amazing array of cacti in a stunning outdoor setting. The lunch @ the DBG is also fantastic. 18 holes of golf at Papago with views of the valley and Camelback on one of the best public courses in the US. Dinner at favorite restaurants such as Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn, The Vig, Trevor’s Liquor, El Chorro,, T Cook’s at Royal Palms, and Lure. Best bars I would take them to include; Steak 44, The Madam, Tallyho, Fat Ox, and the Coach House. If it’s November-May, a Phoenix Suns game would be a huge highlight of the week. If they come in February, a must would be the Waste Management Open and afterwards music & drinks with dancing at the Bird’s Nest. More hikes include; Mummy mountain, and Tom’s Thumb.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There a few people who have proven to be very pivotal in my musical career. The first one was my father, Bill who gave me my first saxophone. We would practice together as he loved music. One of my first instructors, Al, believed in me and became my mentor. My long term partner Jane has encouraged me to leave insurance and focus on my music. She has traveled with me to many of my events and taken most of the photographs of me performing.

Website: https://www.stephensylvia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiciansteve/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Steveonsax/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saxmanone