Steven Michael Czarnecki, 73, passed away on Thursday, February 27th 2025 in Santa Cruz, California after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Steve was born December 13th, 1951 in Seattle, Washington, one of four siblings, to Edwin and Anne Czarnecki. He attended Lakeside School, and went on to study psychology at Stanford University, Class of 1973. His experience with the six month Stanford in France program left a lasting impression, and laid the groundwork for him to become conversationally fluent in French at age 60 simply because his daughter was taking it in high school. But despite parental pressure to move into a professional field, Steve pursued music relentlessly and successfully.

Most notable was Steve’s music career and skill on keyboard, piano, guitar, and the distinctive Hammond organ. He played in several bands, Affinity, Mark Ford Band, the Danny Hull Quintet, and Spangalang among others, before establishing the Steve Czarnecki Trio and later, Soul-Jazz Quintet. He particularly enjoyed composing, and the Soul-Jazz Quintet had a unique sound, mixing his own originals with classic jazz standards and soul tunes. Neil DeGrasse Tyson is on record on NPR describing Steve’s version of “Summertime” as his favorite jazz tune. 

In 1980 Steve met his beloved wife Jeanne at Lord John’s Inn in Santa Clara, California. They married in 1986 at Highlands County Park in Ben Lomond, and he became stepfather to her son. In 1994 they had a daughter, who they raised in Santa Cruz.

Outside of gigs around California, Steve enjoyed traveling with his family, and cycling on his French Peugeot. He was also a life-long learner, studying graphic design in the early days of Photoshop, becoming fluent via French radio, finessing his golf skills, and getting his real estate license in his sixties.  

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, daughter Sara (Josephine), step-son Brian Bochel, and boxes of cassette tapes with unpublished, snazzy, jazzy tunes. 

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor soon; details to follow. The family would like to thank the staff of Rachelle’s Home III, and Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Donations in his memory can be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz via https://www.hospicesantacruz.org/ or Alzheimer's Association via https://www.alz.org or the Kuumbwa Jazz Center via https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/support-kuumbwa-jazz/ .