One of the most accomplished and versatile musicians working today, Gary Meek is equally at home playing the saxophone, clarinet, keyboards, and flute. Having worked with many legendary artists for more than 15 years, Meek's reputation as a featured performer is rapidly growing.

"Step 7 was conceived out of my desire to make a jazz CD that would be fun to record as well as to listen to," says Meek. "The choice of material just kind of fell into place as we rehearsed. I had already written 'Workin', (my idea of a Coltrane-style blues), and 'Waltz for Mo', (a Waltz that I named for my wife Maureen), and since we had been performing 'Be-Bop', (an up-tempo Charlie Parker tune), and 'Time's Lie' (a Chick Corea song that Flora recorded on Open Your Eyes You Can Fly), with the band, it was a logical sequence of events. 'Harlem Nocturne' was suggested years ago by my wife Maureen. She had always loved the song where as I had no strong opinion one way or the other. Then out of the blue, Airto said, 'What about that song 'Harlem Nocturne'?' With two strong opinions by people I respect, I figured there must be something to it. So I did a straightforward arrangement of the song, and I love it."

"I chose the song 'Step 7' because I'd always loved that tune when we played it with Fourth World. It was a natural choice for me to put it on this CD. 'Toby's Blues, '(named after our dog), was a lot of fun to write. It just came out all at once, which is very unusual for me. This song, as well as 'Harlem Nocturne', is full big-band arrangements. 'When Love Appears' is a song that Jon Gilutin had started writing as a vocal for Flora, and he asked me if I wanted to help him finish the song. We worked together and came up with a vibe for the song, as well as a solo section for me. I'm very happy with the final result. 'Calling You' is from the movie Baghdad Cafe. It was Jon Gilutin's idea for us to record it, and he did the arrangement. We had a great time recording it."

As a child in Encino, California, Meek was inspired to take up music by his father, who played 'barbershop' piano. By age five Gary was playing piano by ear, and soon became proficient as a clarinet and saxophone player. After graduating from high school, he attended the Dick Grove School of Music, taking their Professional Instrumental Program.

From 1980-1983, Meek played saxophone in big bands at the Los Angeles Jazz Workshop, then toured extensively with Dionne Warwick. In 1987, he began a seven-year association with Brazilian legends Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, primarily as a saxophone player, but also playing some keyboards, flute and EWI. This proved to be an extraordinary musical chemistry and in 1990, with guitarist Jose Neto, they formed the band Fourth World. From 1990-1994, Fourth World played major venues throughout the world, including the North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreux, Monterey Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, and Telluride Jazz Festival.

Meek also has a long-standing relationship with keyboardist Jeff Lorber and is featured prominently on the keyboardist's last four recordings for Verve. The two have toured widely over the past 10 years, including a 1995-1996 world tour with Herb Alpert, promoting Alpert's Second Wind album. In 1997, Meek toured with Al Jarreau in the U.S. and Europe.

In 2000, Gary once again teamed up with long standing friends Purim and Moreira to record Perpetual Emotion. In addition to playing woodwinds Meek also co-produced the album.

For his A440 debut, Step 7, Meek took advantage of the musical momentum created by Perpetual Emotion. The same band was used for most of Step 7 -- you can feel the chemistry that comes from having played 'live' together many times.

Throughout his career, Meek has also toured with bands led by Sergio Mendes, Alphonse Mouzon, The Rippingtons, David Benoit, Kevyn Lettau and many others. At present, he is working in Los Angeles primarily as an in-demand session player, composer, and arranger. Gary has played on recordings with notables such as Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip, Alphonso Johnson, Alphonse Mouzon, and Brian Bromberg.

Meek has released four solo recordings to date, including Gary Meek, Time One, Live at Ronnie Scott's and Good Friends. His latest recording, Step 7, was released by A440 Music Group on November 12, 2002.