We recently had the chance to connect with Steve Kuzma and have shared our conversation below.
Steve, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What battle are you avoiding?
Great question.
I’m born in Philadelphia and
Came into a family with ukrainian parents. I went to school to study the language culture. Scouting and soccer as a boy and also lived in Kiev.. I’m a painter illustrator and musician networks professionally after
Some especially deep loss, you Havey. I was able to go to the homeland country during Easter. A very special time when spring blooms through everything the people nature all around.. There’s rejuvenation and inspiration and joy amidst
Inner healing . Since that time, many serious changes have happened in that country. That I never would have imagined.
The depth that gave me when I was there was like no other place
As an artist and musician. With the injustice that’s going on there. It taught me quite a lot. And there was a challenge to face. I had a decision to make whether to stay there when I visited there years ago. And be a key part of whatever’s needed to help
I made the decision to stay in this country back here in the United States, since then. I felt a great void and responsibility to be helpful in some way.
Since our last interview, I’ve had the great opportunity to play music was a legend. Harry wilson, here in fredericksburg, he is a xylophone player with his quartet . He asked me if I would accept his band and his service to play in a peace concert series
In helping to raise awareness and funds, especially with doctors without borders.There. With hardly any practice sessions, the performances were top chelf. We ended up raising with the sister city’s Fredericksburg over 20000I feel a need to do more of this. Although there are some great struggles and obstacles. For example, there have been financial scams that have obstructed my creative process. Please charging me with jaywalking. And then body slamming me into my bike this year, while I was taking care of my ninety two year old mother. The sensitivity that we carry individually as artists is truly important to maintain and our craft. I find there is depth that we can offer through our life experiences and the challenge is to overcome them. In some way, a lot of my music does share my life experiences my original songs, including the peace March. That came through here in fredericksburg, with the song blisters on my feet. Spiritual and deep meaning comes through the original song’s like without love for loss and relationship in the song in the wake of the love.. I now live in Fredericksburg and have a studio here. I’ve worked with the music communities everywhere. I’ve lived before an Atlantic City. I quite a diverse musical experience.So many different types of bands and music style. Here in Fredericksburg, there is a very special community here as well. I find that is everywhere we go, which is a great gift. And the audience is to share it with are just as special. I recently played in my hometown here in bowling, green, Virginia. And the mayor herself was impressed with
My song’s q’ and now let me her father’s 60s Gibson and his violin
Which are some of the most outstanding instruments.I’ve ever played, which are also allied in helping to inspire the message and meaning.That go beyond the distractions and meaningless.. Sorry that this has run on. I did not have a way to edit it with my battery going and wanted to get this out to you thank you for this question. It’s a great writing topic. I also am inspired by my cat. Who is a great help in distressing formate? One of my most received songs is about her. That does show joy an unconditional love
I travel in my RV with her when I do music. And art shows that is also very good story. My previous RV was in a crash that I miraculously survived with the cat. The stories of support in sharing the original material is beyond words. How music touches the depth of human life and human experience and is so much needed now more than ever.This is what moves me to pliay. I equally enjoy playing the violin as well as the guitar
And wish to share this. The more profoundly with my audiences living here in Virginia also is another
Historical place that has great meaning in this country. From the indigenous to the birthplace, of our country historically.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a singer-songwriter that moved from the Atlantic City area and now in fridaysburg, Virginia, sharing music. That is original and authentic. I write on the guitar and I’m a violinist
I enjoy singing and especially playing the violin in a band as well as Xi. My original work on the guitar. We have a fusion band that has light percussion, tablet and Congo’s what’s additional vocal harmony. I enjoy playing in various setting with my musicians in different bands or solo.Where most of the learning happens. Sometimes venues that are small like a farmer’s market. It can be the most rewarding here in bowling green, virginia. Currently, I’m bringing out my original work. Especially the work focused on concept of peace in the world in the vision of a better world.Like the song better. I also have a song that is new about the monk’s peace. March recently called blisters on my feet. The song starts your day. Also, it’s about the inner joy needed to find the qu. And every day, the song without love also a deep song about loss. Current songs are
A lot to do with the conflicts and uselessness of war. And it’s injustice, particularly in Ukraine, just close to my experience being Ukrainian. I play a lot at earth day concert’s hired for green days. Events where people are receptive to our connectiveness
And appreciation to our Earth, people all life on it. And ecology, save the song for the Earth is a beautiful one about that. Suspended in blue is avery special song.
The song’s are important to me and have a life of their own. Currently, I’m in a band also focusing on scout sharing the message of empha love and peace here in Virginia. I also am in a folk fusion band
That I play regularly within New Jersey. I do session work recording work in many local venues, including a lot of work with addiction and recovery centers. That I have I helped in designing in atlantic city with many people in recovery their effor I would run an open mic for years at a wonderful cafe that existed
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
These are very good questions.
When I grew up in phila and concentrated on the arts drawung guitar and violin.At central high in the orchestra had to choose between art or music or art as a major asked the conductor wanting me in the orchestra the orchestra was filled with best of the best prodigies in this school that has a world reputatio. conductor said you have the feeling that meant a lot to men especially later on in my life when improvisation and playing by ear came naturally. Music and art can help bridge the bonds and separation between myself personally and also individuals like I’ and communities. The remedy I can find within myself is also in others. People are hungry for the knowledge. And shared experience of something good coming through a song or artwork. What restores is sharing our common humanity, especially in the present moment. I believe it has value whether it’s compensated, financially or not for the artist. Or the musician to share the message also on how they live. It takes courage, but that vulnerability is met with meeting new friends and trust. These bonds will always be stronger and remember it is what comes through us. And what is shared, it also asks. Want to take responsibility and the challenge of life squarely
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Misuse of authority abuse of power ,insensitivity injustice are some important contrast very important how we treat ourselves then each other
Important to have that with my fellow musicians
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
A lot of people want to go to bars and places where music is played in order to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere. And setting up the I can tell you, in instance, where I’m I had a performance to do, and a car came down the street in Cape New Jersey. A very peaceful, beautiful summer day. I was asked to do a fundraiser to help those people displaced in Ukraine in the war. I was all set up and I felt something off a car suddenly
Was hurled at a high-speed down this beautiful resort town street. It, I was destroying everything. And it’s white, a body felt next to me. I turned around the person was gone in a moment. I helped and consoled the team. Her husband all day. This was considered a crime scene. It was someone who had had heart attack in a car and lost control, but the event took all day with the police. My friend bernardette, who’s a wonderful jazz. Singer set up an appointment for me to play at an open mic. The mad batter in town the reality. I was coming from was far more sober and real. Then, would the participants and the audience at this establishment? We’re in, it was packed. The host asked me to come in right away when I was able to be freed from the accident scene. After I played my 3 songs. There was a deep silence in the room. No one talked there was also a great appreciation for the connection
That was set up in that room through the music. I was prepared to play a fundraiser. My data actually play my songs there. Although there was not the crowd and the buying crowd to support it. As was planned. Interestingly, I’m also sharing that in an audience that needs to hear. So feeling good is not permanent? Bliss is more permanent. Joy is also good. The fact is, we can’t escape from helping each other and sharing our humanity. An axe of kindness and empathy, this is more important than anything now, it shows us what kind of people we really are
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I need to build a home or a studio here on land I have where the r v is based between travels and shows. I’m doing this in a world that it’s very different from the world. I was taught and lived in as an artist and musician. The values are different. There are more effor disingenuine, people there are people that do not care do not have purpose are not careful, are not trained and taught. All the wonderful things that I’ve been able to check. Yes, we’ll receive and learn and want to share now. I find it is something I bear. Although is receive. Living this way is not understood by people who think they are. The community that is law enforcement that is not trained, for example, to descalate or be more humane like they used to be. The same is true for cities that are losing their hometowns. In not caring about community and fostering it. And thinking more politically rather than service-oriented. I observe a lot as I get older. I find there is a spe let’s help in a way. So the challenge is to connect with the help even if the opposite is presented the most important thing is for me to leave
Some through the music. The message of the wonderful experiences and hope for a better world to continue.And at the same time, make the best of the present
Contact Info:
- Website: The artofkuzma stevekuzma.zenfolio.com@zenfolio.com
- Instagram: Artofkuzma
- Facebook: Steve kuzma fine art
- Youtube: Art of kuzma adbox studios Fredericksburg
- Soundcloud: Art of kuzma
Image Credits
Steve Kuzma
