Solo jazz piano playing provides the freedom to take license with all kinds of aspects of playing, making it a more creative session than might otherwise be allowed by the trio or other formats. The time can be stretched, the form can be changed, the harmony modulated, and even the whole piece rearranged on the fly. Of course, along with playing solo comes the responsibility of covering all the roles of the other players (i.e., drums, bass, melody, and harmony) when the time comes, but it can be very rewarding.

Steve works with Overlake Hospital's Volunteer program to play at their Bellevue hospital location, providing solo piano jazz music as a healing art, not just for patients, but for patients' families and others who need a lift from the stressors that can come with visiting the hospital. "It's an excellent way to give back to the community," says Jones.