OkoŃski

Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, pianist Steve Okonski made his name as a member of the soul band Durand Jones & the Indications, before embarking on a parallel career as a jazz pianist. He joins the band in 2019 for the American Love Call album sessions, replacing pianist Justin Hubler. Alongside Durand Jones, he met his future collaborators, drummer Aaron Frazer and producer Terry Cole, owner of Colemine Records, which released his two albums Magnolia (2023) and Entrance Music (2025). Without leaving Jones' band, Steve Okonski began his career following in Frazer's footsteps, forming the Okonski trio with Frazer and bassist Michael Montgomery, whose two albums were recorded in Cole's Portage Lounde studio in Loveland, Ohio. Released in February 2025, Entrance Music reached No. 24 on the Billboard jazz charts.