Stephan Oberhoff

Producer, Musician, Songwriter, Arranger & Sound Designer

Stephan Oberhoff has uniquely crisscrossed the worlds of producer, musician, songwriter, arranger, sound engineer – and consummate artist.

Stephan has performed with, produced for, and collaborated with a who’s-who of greats; including Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Melissa Manchester, Patti Austin, Brenda Russell – and so many more…

Stephan inimitably juggles the arts spanning the music creation process; but at his heart, he is a musician – with formidable, renowned skills as a keyboard player, peerlessly creating a full orchestra or Brazilian band or contemporary jazz section or country rhythm section… all at his fingertips. Add to that exceptional talents as a guitarist, vocalist, drummer, accordion player, bass player, percussionist, and saxophonist!.

Current Projects

“I AM BLESSED” 

MARIEANN MERINGOLO

Listening to the magnificent interpretation of Marsha Malamet’s and Mark Mueller’s classic (previously recorded by Barbra Streisand) one cannot help but be captivated by not only Marieann’s stunning voice but also her deeply personalized rendering by one of America’s finest vocalists.

This track was co-produced by Stephan and Marsha Malamet and showcases the lush and cinema-scope width and depth of his arrangements which have always been profoundly influenced by the flawless works of David, Foster, Alan Broadbent, Johnny Mandel, Jorge Calandrelli et al.

THE CREDITS

“I Am Blessed” 

Written by Marsha Malamet and Mark Mueller

Produced by Marsha Malamet and Stephan Oberhoff
Orchestrated by Stephan Oberhoff

All instruments performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephan Oberhoff at The Creation Station, Pasadena CA

“KISS HER NOW (MEDLEY)” 

ROSLYN KIND

NY pianist and arranger Alex Rybeck masterfully wove these 2 Jerry Hermann (“Hello Dolly”) together in such an organic way that Stephan, listening to Roslyn’s show at Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles urged Roslyn to attempt a recording at his studio.

Roslyn came to record it live with her longtime pianist and musical director Michael Orland and convinced Stephan to transform the excellent piano/vocal recording into a fully orchestrated and emotionally intense version which properly underlines the urgency of the lyric.
The video was also created by Stephan and Roslyn – entirely in remote mode during the end of the pandemic!

THE CREDITS

“It Only Takes A Moment / Kiss Her Now (Medley)”

Lead vocals: Roslyn Kind
Piano: Michael Orland

Medley arrangement: Alex Rybeck

Arranged by: Stephan Oberhoff and Roslyn Kind
Orchestrated by Stephan Oberhoff

All other instruments performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephan Oberhoff at The Creation Station, Pasadena CA
Full Circle Studio in Pasadena CA.

“DARK GREY SKIES” – THE NEW EP!! 

JASON GOULD

This 5 song EP marks a special summit of the collaboration between world renowned singer-songwriter Jason Gould and producer and multi-instrumentalist Stephan Oberhoff.
This collection of songs features 2 songs which were penned by the artist and Stephan.

The two also invited several other platinum songwriters (amongst others the outstanding talent of Allan Rich) into their creative space – with the stunning result that the EP stayed in the Amazon Top 1 position for weeks – and keeps coming back to #1!

THE CREDITS

“I Go Crazy” • written by Jason Gould, Stephan Oberhoff and Allan Rich

“Dark Grey Skies” • written by Jason Gould, Stephan Oberhoff
“First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
• written by Ewan Maccoll
“Damage”
• written by Jason Gould, Stephan Oberhoff, Allan D Rich and Tia P.
“And So It Goes” • written by Billy Joel

Lead and Background vocals: Jason Gould
Background vocals: Stephan Oberhoff, David Davis and Tia P.
Rap vocal layer: Tia P.
Arranged by: Stephan Oberhoff and Jason Gould

All instruments performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephan Oberhoff at The Creation Station, Pasadena CA
Full Circle Studio in Pasadena CA.

BRAND ANTHEM LIBRARY FOR
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY   

A JIMMY DUNNE PROJECT

Just like the airplanes line up neatly on their way into LAX, longtime client and branding powerhouse (as well as first rate hit songwriter) Jimmy Dunne lined up the next leading American institution to establish an ‘audio identity’, purely designed to embed the Pepperdine melodies and themes deep into the minds and hearts of it’s faculty, community and students.

From a 100 piece Marching Band version of their Fight Song to a truly stunning new Anthem “I Will Climb”, the synergistic team created a whole plethora of songs which will now find themselves underscoring all future marketing releases and university festivities off and on campus.

The team Dunne/Oberhoff has successfully provided it’s production talent to SMU University as well as Claremont McKenna and is gearing up for it’s next creative challenge.

PRODUCER'S PLAYLIST

In this special PRODUCER’S PLAYLIST, Stephan Oberhoff and Jimmy Dunne put together the wide variety of sonic landscapes which make up the new audio identity of this American treasure called Pepperdine.

CURIOUS GEORGE V  

6 Feature Song Production

Mercer-Award winning composer Michele Brourman and Cabaret star and platinum songwriter Amanda McBroom continue their fruitful and longstanding studio and production partnership with Stephan.

They set out to produce the 6 feature songs for the Universal Animation September 2021 release of “Curious George VI – Cape Ahoy!” on all digital platforms.

Featuring the outstanding talents of vocalists Rob Trow and Tata Vega, the latest adventure of America’s most beloved little Monkey is stealing kids and parents hearts alike.

Recorded entirely in remote mode (!) Stephan’s Creation Station became the digital hub where all tracks were orchestrated, recorded and the remote vocals mixed.

YOU CAN’T HIDE THE LIGHT  

Johnny Schaefer

feat. Melissa Manchester

Stephan’s longtime client Johnny Schaefer is a style-bending, superbly creative and innovative songwriter who recently teamed up with his childhood idol and Stephan’s recording client of over 2 decades, Grammy Winning and Tony nominated singer and songwriter Melissa Manchester.

Intrigued by the double layer melody, the music industry legend decided to join Johnny and Stephan at the Creation Station in Pasadena CA.

Winner 2021 UK Songwriting Contest

“DAMAGE” JASON GOULD

FEATURING TIA P.

One of the most style-breaking releases of the writing team of Stephan Oberhoff, Jason Gould and Allan Rich included, for the first time, the addition of the gifted and versatile rapper Tia P.

Tia can also be seen acting two different parts in the embedded video!

Contrary to the writing style of most of songs on Gould’s releases, the writing team chose to have this song be entirely based upon a groove and cyclical chord sequence.
It organically developed into this energetic and awareness-raising anthem for nonviolence in domestic partnerships.

It is part of the 2021 EP release “Dark Grey Skies” (see above)

THE CREDITS

“Damage” written by Jason Gould, Stephan Oberhoff, Allan D Rich and Tia Parchman (Tia P.)
Lead and Background vocals: Jason Gould
Background vocals: Stephan Oberhoff and Tia P.
Rap vocal layer: Tia P.
Arranged by: Stephan Oberhoff and Jason Gould
All instruments performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephan Oberhoff at
Full Circle Studio in Pasadena CA.

SAVE THE COUNTRY

FEATURING ROSLYN KIND

 

The highly gifted singer and stage performer Roslyn Kind asked Stephan to create a series of master recordings and arrangements for her upcoming album, scheduled for release in 2021.

Described by Stephan as probably his most demanding arrangement of the last few decades, “Save The Country” – and it’s unique musical structure – demanded repeated breaks from the ‘drawing board’ by both artist and arranger.
“This was a very very gradual assembly of a very complex and intense arrangement” explains Stephan.

“I remember this particular quote by Quincy Jones, who I spent a great deal of time with in some of the finest studios in Los Angeles over the past few years: “Let’s ask the song what it needs”
“Let’s ask the song where it wants to go”.

READ MORE

Well – we did – and it took almost nine months (!) to find out where exactly this song wanted to go!

This entire track was conceptualized, recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephan in his own studio in Pasadena, CA and is a defining recording documenting his musicality and wide range of stylistic expression as well as his engineering capabilities.

“Roslyn has this amazing low register as well as the soaring soprano power that her famous sister won our hearts with – yet I couldn’t find a single recording of her that features that register prominently — until now!”  says Stephan

The amazing and powerful image video was created by Paco Silva of SirenArts.

Arranged by Stephan Oberhoff and Roslyn Kind
Lead Vocals: Roslyn Kind
Background Vocals: Roslyn Kind, Stephan Oberhoff, Kimaya Sherkhan, Eric Butler
All instruments (except saxophone performed by Katisse Buckingham) performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephan Oberhoff at Full Circle Studio, Pasadena CA

A BETTER RAINBOW

BY MELISSA MANCHESTER

Stephan’s extensive and inspiring work can be heard on a wide spectrum of audio and audiovisual projects released by Melissa Manchester.

From Melissa’s groundbreaking album “When I look Down That Road” (2004 Koch Records) to this video, the two artists joyously create significant and soulful music until the present day.

Stephan and Melissa arranged and produced this fully orchestrated track at Stephan’s studio which was later synchronized to the wonderful theme video created by Melissa and video editor/visual artist Paco Silva.

READ THE CREDITS

Arranged by Stephan Oberhoff and Melissa Manchester
Lead and Background Vocals, Piano: Melissa Manchester
All other instruments performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephan Oberhoff at Full Circle Studio, Pasadena CA

“LET THE SONG TELL US WHERE IT WANTS TO GO!”

QUINCY JONES

“THE BLUES ARE BACK IN TOWN”

BY WOODY BRADSHAW

Nashville-based singer-songwriter and charting artist Woody Bradshaw (“It’s Good To Be Home”) has been a frequent and welcome guest at Stephan’s studio over a period of decades.

Trusting Stephan with his hit song “The Blues Are Back In Town”, Woody flew to Pasadena and produced with Stephan a joyous and energizing anthem for yet another American treasure, the amazing Blue Angels.

READ THE CREDITS

Arranged by Stephan Oberhoff and Woody Bradshaw
Lead Vocals: Woody Bradshaw
Background / Choir Vocals: Gene Miller and Stephan Oberhoff
Featured Instrumentalist: James Harrah (electric guitar)
All other instruments performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephan Oberhoff at Full Circle Studio, Pasadena CA

“MORNING PRAYER” (TRIBAL VERSION)

FEATURING JASON GOULD

Rarely has there been an emergence of a voice as indentifiable, enticing to the ear, rich, textural and, above all, moving, than that of singer/ songwriter Jason Gould.

Shown here as an indicator of the incredible depth and variety of his full length debut album produced by Quincy Jones, Stephan Oberhoff and Jason himself, the CD “Dangerous Man” is available in all significant outlets.

READ THE CREDITS

Arranged by Stephan Oberhoff and Jason Gould
Lead Vocals: Jason Gould
Background Vocals: Kimaya Seward, Jim Gilstrap, Jason Gould, Stephan Oberhoff
Piano: Greg Phillinganes,
B 3 organ Synthesizers / Strings / Horns: Stephan Oberhoff
Electric and acoustic guitars: Stephan Oberhoff
Electric bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Percussion: Paulinho da Costa & Kevin Ricard
Additional Percussion: Stephan Oberhoff
Recorded by Tommy Vicari at Village Recorders, Santa Monica, CA, Stephan Oberhoff at Full Circle Studio, Pasadena, CA and Joe Vannelli at Bluemoon Studio, Agoura Hills, CA
Mixed by Joe Vannelli and Stephan Oberhoff at Bluemoon Studio , Agoura Hills, CA
Assistant engineer: Joe Primeau

Testimonials

Get to Know Stephan

Stephan OberhoffHere’s Stephan’s story…

In 1991, a 6’4” German was generating extraordinary music success in the advertising world.

He wrote (with Evkathrin Pahnke) and produced one of the longest-running TV and radio commercials in the history of European TV and radio media: “Merci dass es dich Gibt,” (“Merci that there is You”). As a solo recording artist on BMG Records, Stephan also released it garnering tremendous success as a radio single.

Stephan was also honored with the coveted “Golden Lion” Award, for a #1 nationwide advertising campaign with Bahlsen Company.

ENTHRALLED BY THE MUSE OF AMERICAN MELODIES AND POP ORCHESTRATIONS, STEPHAN SET SAIL FOR AMERICA.

It didn’t take long before the word spread in Hollywood – and Stephan began collaborating with myriad internationally-acclaimed artists and writers; including Brenda Russell (“Piano in the Dark”), Siedah Garrett, Michael Ruff (Bonnie Raitt, India Arie, David Sanborn), Sharon Vaughn (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings), etc. — and collaborating with the biggest songwriters in the world over the past 30 years.

Credits include producing, arranging and performing on Brenda Russell’s critically-acclaimed “Paris Rain” record, and producing, arranging and performing on Melissa Manchester’s “When I Look Down that Road” release.

Current projects include collaborating with Quincy Jones on Quest Records’ Jason Gould, (who has performed globally with his mother, Barbra Streisand) on which Stephan has produced, arranged, engineered and performed all songs from Jason’s current release.

Stephan has co-produced, performed and collaborated with Johnny Mercer Award-winning composer Michele Brourman on multiple award-winning animated musicals for film and television, including Universal Animation “Curious George IV and V (currently completing season VI), Universal Studios’ “Land Before Time,” (now in its 14th season), as well as Disney’s “Balto II,” “Balto III,” “American Tail IV,” “Chipmunk Meets Frankenstein” and “Hercules And Xena.”

Other notable clients include producing, arranging and performing credits with Amanda McBroom (“The Rose”), Jeffrey Osborne (artist), jazz great Doc Powell (Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin), Jimmy Dunne (songwriter of 28 million hit records), saxophone artist Everette Harp (Blue Note and Capitol Records) – and a laundry list of pop, jazz and R&B greats. Full details on Client List

Artist credentials include “Conversations with my Father,” along with a current record recent release, “Applauding the Sunset”, a musical homage to his “other home of the heart,” Brazil.

Contact Stephan Oberhoff

Full Circle Productions

admin@stephanoberhoff.com