Keg Belly

Kegbelly is the evolution of Brooklyn meets Long Island with fresh writing, sensibilities to rhythm and melodic jamming. Steve Calto is the man behind the curtain with his throaty bluesy vocals and writes with a longing for connection that resonates within.

Kegbelly was born in 2000 in Manhattan’s famed Music Building on 8th Ave when coworkers Gerald Curreri (drums) and Joseph Torres (bass) invited long time friend Steven Caltabiano (guitar) to jam in their company sponsored studio, if nothing else, “to blow off steam”, but things just clicked. Months of casual sessions a few nights a week led to an accumulation of original music and self-styled covers that deserved to be heard. What started as a power trio with a many sides has evolved into contemporary indie sound when hand percussionist Leigh Lanzet joined the band. In 2010 they finally stepped into the studio to record some of the songs they feared would be lost forever if they didn’t, and recorded their first full length CD. After suffering the city’s original music mill for a few years, and with the passing of Leigh to pancreatic cancer the band moved rehearsals to Long Island to regroup. In 2012 Berklee trained bass player Barry Reiter joined bringing an artistic edge and discipline and a new version of the band was formed. In 2015 Barry was also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer so the band rushed into the studio to record their new batch of songs. They released “K2”, their second full length CD in 2016.

The band remained a full sounding three piece until they added lead guitarist Stevie Luke in 2018. Luke had been developing his own band in Brooklyn, TortoiseSoul, playing lead guitar and vocals. Coincidentally, Kegbelly and Luke’s former band had gigged together in the 2000s and shared a practice room at the Music Building. Then in 2018 Luke started playing together as Kegbelly in preparation for the 2018 Montauk Music Festival. This new lineup gelled and the band had a great show playing to a packed house and leaving the audience with goose bumps. Feeling the wind at their backs, the band returned to the recording studio to get down some new tunes.

However, tragedy struck again when Barry’s cancer returned. Once again with a new batch of great original music, the band went into the studio to record the soon to be released “Till we meet again: The Purple Album”, (Q2 2019) a tribute to Leigh and Barry, who did not survive long enough to witness the completion. As the band turns the next page, they‘re touring with new songs, old songs and unique versions of other artists songs. Each of the band’s albums are unique and a reflection of the style diversity and song writing growth of Steven Caltabiano.

Marlon Portela joined the band in 2021, and has brought new energy and funk to the bands attitude. We are about to record a new album with new music written by both Steve’s. Nashville bound for a new recording experience.

Our first MMF was 2013, and every year we look forward to a great weekend, and hope you enjoy our music.

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