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Though never formally trained as a
Vibraphonist and mostly self taught, Steve began to play professionally in 1982, after meeting and marrying his wife,
Naomi, who encouraged him to pursue his career in music, while working during the day as an
eventual
Sales Manager for a multinational corporation, Rickett and Coleman, up to 1992.
He began to develop a repertoire which centered on the songs and arrangements of his two favorite Latin Jazz vibe players, Cal Tjader and Tito Puente. Since then he has shared the stage and played with the likes of Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Louie Ramirez, Charlie Palmieri, Jimmy Sabater, Dave Valentin, and many other local musicians that have helped to support Steve in his musical vision. He and his Latin Jazz Ensemble have played at Lincoln Center, City Hall, Lehman College, Hunter College, Hostos Center for the Arts, The Puerto Rican Day Parade, and has also played at such prestigious events as the SOMOS El Futuro Conference in Albany, The Bronx Borough President's Inauguration, and the Bicentennial Celebration of New York. He plays regularly in clubs and concert venues in the metro New York area. In 1989 Steve founded the New York Latin Jazz Society, as a way to develop playing venues for various Latin Jazz bands, and as a result helped to develop Latin Jazz nights, first in the Castle Gate Sports Bar and thereafter at The Inner Circle, Willie's Steak House, Montezuma's Restaurant, Jimmy's Bronx Cafe, The Mon Ami Lounge, Johnny O's, and most recently Gino's Bronx Cafe. In 1993 Steve was offered a position as Music Teacher at the Herman Ridder School, in the Bronx, which was the Alma Mater of Al Pacino and Herbie Mann. After three years, he was sought after by Walton High School, after having completed many local concerts with students from the school, and has continued there to the present, and holds the position of Performing Arts Coordinator. His work in education has become recognized by the Board of Education, as he has developed the first Digital Piano Lab, Audio Technical Course, and CD Recording Studio in the Bronx High Schools. His approach to music education is being modeled by many music teachers on the elementary level, and his work with students is developing into the first real research into music education and its higher learning effects, on inner city students. In 1995 Steve, via the Latin Jazz Society's umbrella, expanded his efforts to promote the Latin Jazz experience with the development of the first cable music series, dedicated to new and emerging artists, playing in the local Latin Jazz venues. As a result "Latin Jazz Alive n' Kickin" was born and since then has been airing continuously in all the major Public Access networks in New York. This show has undoubtedly made a lasting impression on the New York community, as well as exposing many an emerging band or artist to the larger viewing audience. In October of 2004 Steve was awarded the New York Liberty Medal which was presented to him by Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly at New York's Gracie Mansion. He was selected for this prestigious award, out of many educators, for his influential work as a music teacher in the Inner City schools. Steve's present endeavor is the publishing of his newly developed website, LatinJazzAlive.org, which has been initiated as a appendage to the cable show, because of all of the calls that have been received over the years. It is dedicated to the promotion of Latin Jazz music, and to the ongoing education of the cyber audience, to the historical importance of the Latin jazz movement.
Steve Pouchie Age 28
 Steve Pouchie at Willie's Steak House
Steve Pouchie at Tito Puente's
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