IN Peters Township August/September 2019 | Page 39

Peters Township alum Stephen Rothhaar
releases his newest jazz album, ‘Moments.’
BY NICOLE TAFE
P
“This career, of course, comes with a lot of ups and downs,”
eters Township’s Stephen Rothhaar, 24, is bringing the
notes Rothhaar. His first EP failed to live up to his expectations,
sweet sounds of New Age jazz to the masses. With the
leaving the singer disappointed and second-guessing his career.
release of his newest jazz album, “Moments,” the singer
However, in the fall of 2016, a friend initiated a serendipitous
offers something truly unique in an album that features a
introduction to Grammy-nominated producer Nate Harasim.
vast collection of genres coming together for a great presentation.
“Nate lifted my spirits by describing my
A Peters Township grad, Rothhaar
performances as ‘possessing a diverse vocal
majored in Vocal Performance at Ithaca
talent with an infectious quality,’” says
College. During his time there, he
“I believe music is the
Rothhaar. “Realizing that I could benefit
performed with the Ithaca Vocal Jazz
from his vast experience, I signed with
group, where he occasionally worked with
closest thing we have to
Harasim Sound Design without hesitation.”
members of the internationally acclaimed
magic in this world, and I
The two then began production on a
vocal ensemble New York Voices. “I
remember they told us they were once in
hope to mesmerize my fans series of tracks targeted to EDM (Electronic
Dance Music). However, as the project
the same group years ago,” says Rothhaar.
for the rest of my life.”
progressed, Harasim detected a saturation
“They really inspired me, and I realized
of EDM in the industry, so they both agreed
soon after that pursuing music—both in
that a shift to Pop/Smooth Jazz was a better
performance and recording—was the right
direction. The team set some songs aside, re-recorded others and
choice for me.”
created entirely new material.
Rothhaar’s decision to become a professional musician evolved
“For the new charts, I drew inspiration from the stress I
over a long period of time, starting with a love of music fostered
experienced following my EP release, pouring my heart into the
at an early age by his parents Richard and Lisa—who encouraged
music and ultimately producing the track ‘Moments,’” explains
him to perform at every opportunity—and with support from
Rothhaar. “I am so pleased with ‘Moments’ and believe it to be
outstanding music teachers.
my best work to date. The tracks ‘It’s Been Awhile’ and ‘I Need
“After receiving my first Mac, which naturally included
You’ came easily, flowing from my soul.”
GarageBand, I started playing around with karaoke tracks found
Rothhaar’s future plans include continuing to perform around
on an old CD, a headset and a microphone,” recalls Rothhaar.
Pittsburgh with his jazz set, eventually performing his own
“It was all I needed to try my hand at recording, and the ability
music. “I’m continually inspired by the ability of artists who
to combine instrumental tracks with my voice fascinated me.
captivate their audience through the use of melody, lyrics, and of
“I was so proud of my efforts that I shared them with my vocal
course performance—certain songs transport me to a different
coach, who was impressed with what she heard and invited me
world that I can get lost in every
to join her at the studio where
time I hear them,” says Rothhaar.
she was recording her own album
“Music is there for every one of us
to experience working with a
whenever and however we need
professional sound engineer and
it. It’s there to get you through a
live jazz trio,” continues Rothhaar.
break-up, it’s the soul of the party,
“Quite simply, the experience
and if you’re lucky the spark that
was so magical that I hired the
causes you to reminisce about the
same trio to lay down my first jazz
best moments of your life! The fact
album, ‘Standards,’ and pursued
that I can create music that may
music as my career.”
impart these feelings on others
Rothhaar has released three
is what encourages me to bring
albums to date—“Standards,”
my best to every lyric, recording
“Humans” and, just recently,
and performance. I believe music
“Moments.” His single “Get Away”
is the closest thing we have to
from the “Moments” album was
magic in this world, and I hope to
recently featured on Smooth Jazz
mesmerize my fans for the rest of
Radio in more than 200 countries.
my life.”   ■
In this newest album, Rothhaar
collaborates with jazz greats
» For more information, visit
including bass player Nathan East,
StephenRothhaar.com.
Nils the guitarist and many more.
PETERS TOWNSHIP
❘
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019
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