Steph Lexner

Born in September 1966, Steph hails from Paris, France. He picked up the guitar at age 13, after witnessing a schoolmate's band rehearsal. Taking lessons from the very start, he developed quickly on the instrument, and by age 17, was playing club dates in the Parisian suburbs. A trip to Los Angeles in the summer of 1983 sealed Steph's fate: He made the move to L.A. in 1987 to attend Hollywood's Guitar Institute of Technology, which he graduated with honors in 1988. Steph joined the GIT teaching staff from '91 thru '94 as instructor for the summer programs.

Steph has established himself over the years as an active sideman on the Los Angeles club and studio scene, as well as on the road. Some of the performers he has played and/or recorded with include Richard Street (Temptations), Peggy Scott-Adams, Kaaren Ragland (Sounds of the Supremes), Maxine Nightingale, Greg Walker (of Santana), Steve Kowalczyk (Atlantic Recording Artist), Chris Walker (Elektra recording Artist), Mona Campbell, Malia Franklin (Brides of Funkenstein), the Drifters, the Coasters, among others. Currently, Steph is backing up new sax sensation Eric Darius, coming to a jazz festival near you, and when in town, performs regularly with RnB group Seville and Soul Diva Elaine Gibbs. Steph is also a contributing writer to Line 6's GuitarPort Online service, where he authors lessons and artist features. Besides Melancon, Steph also endorses Line 6 amps/FX and Elixir Strings.