Gerald Stephens was born in Memphis and grew up in Southaven, MS, where he began piano lessons at age 7.  He continued with classical piano throughout high school and into college at Memphis State University in 1989.  Gerald also began his jazz training at Memphis State.  He began teaching piano lessons and performing professionally in 1994, and received a BFA in Commercial Music/Recording Technology from the University of Memphis in 1995.  Gerald taught with Germantown Baptist Conservatory from 1997 until 2007, and began teaching at the University of Memphis in 2002, first in the Community Music School, and from 2005-2015 in the Jazz department.  In 2011, he became adjunct professor of jazz piano at Rhodes College in Memphis.  Mr. Stephens has been in demand as a blues and jazz pianist in the Mid-South area since 1995, and has performed with many notable musicians of local and international fame, including Levon Helm, Hugh Masekela, The Memphis Horns, Antonio Hart, Annie Sellick, and Valerie June.  Gerald also returned to classical studies in piano, and acquired a Master’s degree from the University of Memphis in 2014. Currently he continues to teach at Rhodes, while performing solo, collaborating with various groups, and recording his own music.  He has been on many local album releases, including Red Trio (2005) and Groundspeak’s Local Language (2007).  Cycles (2013) is his first and only to date solo release.