From the age of seven in the gold mining town of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and ever since Garry Steel and his elder brother Kirk have been in great demand as keyboard, organ and piano and accordion players or some of Australia’s best known performers and recording artists. Aussie Rock legend Jimmy Barnes, invited Garry to play on his album Flesh and Wood and he recorded and toured internationally with John Williamson for 4 years. He has also recorded with Broderick Smith’s band and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra on Pixie Jenkin’s True Blue Classics.
Garry established many fans and musical relationships through his 4 year stint (1994 –1998) at the legendary Kings Cross Bourbon and Bar Beefsteak with Rodney Ford and John Cocker. Willy Qua, of one of Australia’s most contemporary groups Galapagos Duck, was so impressed by Garry’s musicality he formed a new band Quill’s Folly, debuting at Australia’s Premier Ski Resort, Mount Kosciusko Chalet where they have been sliding downhill ever since.
Garry is admired by musicians and audiences alike for his natural ability in so many different styles of music. Playing accordion in Irish Band Settlers Match, while supporting the Furies on an Australian tour, George Fury commented “Where’d you be learning to play the box like dat? You play like a true Irishman!’ Soon after Garry was asked to tour the US with one of the best known Irish-American entertainers Paddy Noonan.
Garry is one of the most sought after session piano players in the country. He has performed with Lee Kernaghan, Slim Dusty, Pixie Jenkins and Graeme Connors and has many hundreds of album credits to his name. He was a founding member of Fiddlers Feast, an instrumental ensemble featuring the finest Australian Fiddlers. Garry has turned his attention to renovating his house in Berowra Heights using recycled materials, mainly from skips from building sites etc. Recent fires which roared through the area, past his house were no threat to their property as Garry (who is also a qualified diesel mechanic and mad inventor) created a unique water spraying system to protect the eaves and windows from flames and heat.Garry can be contacted by email:garrysteel1@bigpond.com