A fine New Orleans guitarist whose advanced improvisations display the influence of his native city's early jazz and R&B scenes (at least rhythmically), Steve Masakowski attended Berklee in 1974. He invented the key-tar in 1978, an early guitar synthesizer. In 1982, he recorded for his own private Prescriptions label and he has since made albums as a leader for Blue Note and appeared as a sideman on dates led by Rick Margitza, Mose Allison, Red Tyler, Tony Dagradi, and Johnny Adams, among others. He has also toured with Dianne Reeves. ~ Scott Yanow