Steve started performing around the Chicago area in the mid-60's when he started playing engagements with his father in Crystal Lake, Illinois. After majoring in trumpet at Berklee School of Music in Boston, Steve studied classical piano with Dada Mehta at Eastern Michigan University and then soon formed his own jazz combo which appeared in Chicago clubs such as the Pump Room and the Gaslight Club, and he also appeared with The Marcus Belgrave Quintet at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit. The Steve Sandner Trio was the opening act at the inaugural 1993 Suttons Bay (Michigan) Jazz Festival, and he has since performed there many times. Steve’s other appearances include Chicago’s Intercontinental Hotel, Andy’s Jazz Club, Pete Miller’s, and the Signature Room at the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building. A highlight in his career was a 1989 Asian trip for a four-month engagement with his quartet at the Sommerset Room in the Westin Hotel in Singapore. In 2003 Steve performed for four months at the Hyatt Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, Africa; and he has made several appearances in Paris, France, most recently in May, 2007.
His recordings include five self-produced CD’s: “Goin’ To Chicago” and “I’m Sticking With You, Baby” with Detroit trumpeter Marcus Belgrave; “Catch 38” with Chicago vocalist Holly McGuire; and “Cherry Red” with saxophonist Lyn Halliday. His fifth CD, recorded in France in April, 2005 features Parisian jazz guitarist François Homps.