Anton Davidyants & Valeriy Stepanov - Self Portrait

I'm honored to present a new video that we did with my big bro Valeriy Stepanov​.
Here's a song called "Self Portrait" by the greatest Mike Mainieri. He performed it with Steps Ahead in 1986 in Tokio. I recently watched this concert again and couldn't resist to record this masterpiece! It's one of my favorite songs, really.
Hope you guys enjoy the video!
Also first i asked a drummer to record the song with me, but he couldn't. Then i thought why not to ask Valeriy to play drums? And i wasn't wrong :)
So he did an incredible job in my opinion - he played drums, keys, melodica and sang the theme a little bit. Also he mixed the sound and edited the video. What a guy!
And played on my favorite instruments too - Le Fay Pangton and Marleaux Soprano.
Enjoy!

[@haroldgreen1336]

Thank you Anton and Valeriy. Song brings back memories of the last 7 years. Can't stop crying. Song reminds of my Dad. Much love to you both!,❤️

[@craigmack-cv3cp]

Hang in there 😥 brother sorry for your loss ❤. I miss my Dad too 💔

[@schmegle3237]

@@craigmack-cv3cpI miss my Dad a lot as well.

[@richeastman9416]

Such a beautiful tribute to Mike Mainieri and Steps Ahead. Makes me long for the days past, yet so very encouraged by the sheer talent of these youthful pioneers of jazz. Thanks Anton and Valeriy!!

[@anatolanatol6407]

Супер! Супер музон и исполнители!

[@karilamervo5343]

Anton is a monster..right up the Jaco level. I have said this before but he keeps growing and growing

[@bobbysbackingtracks]

Ain’t it the truth?

[@caprise-music6722]

100%. It’s literally universe class.

[@jackoatkon8449]

Anton Valeriy ..... This is lovely..... great touch great empathy towards the melody .... Top tune .... drummer bro very sensitive to the playing ..... 'Pat Metheny tshirt' shows where you're coming from mood /melody-wise. Quality recording. Inspiring to listen to! Hi from London UK!

[@AlexGalef]

Absolutely agree with you, listening I thought Meteny

[@jazzrena]

How the F@@K did I miss that masterpiece for 3 years???!!! That is the most beautiful song I've heard in a very long time! BTW, 26 dislikes???!!! WTF is wrong with people these days???!!!

[@NoEx-Tech]

They think it's the download icon

[@JoeyBullet222]

They should remove the word dislike from the button cuz it hurts my wittle feelings too 🤪😉🤣

[@caprise-music6722]

@@JoeyBullet222 well, they finally did remove it lol

[@JaQba91]

@@NoEx-Tech DRASTICALLY Under- -rated comment :-))))))

[@karilamervo5343]

Also Nastja Nina and her vocals...lovely..

[@alofaagalelei]

Amazing Song ...Just Beautiful , it takes me away to another Place in time , I close my eyes & ALL I see is Peace all around....Just so much Serenity.

[@mrjrsjr]

Thank Michael Brecker

[@julimcarvalhobhz]

Very, very, very, GooOOOOOooood! Att, Julinho Carvalho-BH/MG-Brasil

[@yoshiyakusamura7405]

Absolutelly amazing

[@Soundwave1900]

Yeah, I just keep coming back. Such a marvelous cover of one of my most favorite jazz songs ever...

[@FrancescoTermini]

After 4 month, I think 22.000 views are mine

[@lucianovianautore]

Stupendo

[@pierorahum]

le altre 22.000 che seguiranno saranno le mie...!!!

[@MrLewis-lk8us]

Dear Anton: I have admired respected and loved your bass playing and musicianship for years. You are truly phenomenal. The bass player is the most important member of any group and your playing epitomizes this musical reality.

[@fabioiodice164]

Semplicemente Meravigliosa! Emozionante..

[@tonedriverss8629]

Yes , as others are saying . First word that comes to mind is ..... beautiful ! Very beautiful indeed . Great job , guys .

[@СергейКис-в4д]

Парни, круто! Запишите еще версию соло на безладовом басу,,,, мне кажеться- прибавиться!!!

[@JaQba91]

Oh yeah! Fretless! ♥️

[@jorgekarkalius]

Dude you are Giant of bass...very nice composition.. cheers to both of you...

[@Meenjedatnou]

Honestly Valeriy Stephanov in on par with Cory Henry , one of the great keyboard players of our time. And as for Anton, he is by far the most underrated bass player of the moment. He is up there with Victor Wooten, Jimmy Haslip, Marcus Miller, Federico Malaman... really amazing!

[@caprise-music6722]

On par? You can say that again

[@bazojc8677]

How does Cory even come in to compare? What talk is this?

[@TheFender69]

Спасибо за бальзам. Антон и Валерий, вы, просто, лекари души!

[@marceloreis3741]

What a wonderful sound!

[@rstephensmusic]

gorgeous melody , creative arrangement and thoughtful production....superb work

[@AlexGalef]

Просто сказать что вы сделали это лучше оригинала - это значит ничего не сказать! Так по своему рассказать историю! Парни, вы гениальные музыканты! Спасибо вам! Третий день хожу с этой темой, не могу забыть ее)

[@AntonDavidyants]

Спасибо большое за теплые слова!

[@JaQba91]

Telling a story is a one of best parta of music! I enjoy this comment so much 😃

[@timbarnes8308]

Fabulous does not come close to describing this arrangement - I come back and listen often. BRAVO!

[@AntonDavidyants]

Thanks a lot for your kind words!

[@haroldgreen1336]

Makes Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Nathan East, smile. My goodness gracious! Play, Rewind, Play again. Just beautiful.💖

[@miguelangelmartinezaguinag9953]

There's another "Young Bass Player" a Genious "Charles Berthoud" from Chicago, Illinois!!! Unbelievable!!! Check it UP!!! 🚴🍇🍷🍾🥂🥩☕🍸🎉😇🇲🇽😎

[@alexandrapanasevich9081]

уже второй день слушаю и слушаю и слушаю..Ну просто МОЁ на данный момент. Спасибо!:)

[@karilamervo5343]

Anton the treasure of making the bass sing. He should play in the Pat Metheny Group. Ditch Mark Egan... I mean it.

[@JulioeVinny]

There's an ocean of music in this tune. What a wonderful song. Bless ya.

[@timbarnes8308]

Again - after all this time - I cannot thank you enough for this wonderful piece of music - Anton, you are a monster player!

[@jvnktube]

Is it just me? Am I really the only one wondering who those vinegar pissing c*nts are that give beautiful stuff like this a 'thumbs down'? I see that with a lot of great material and it keeps me up at night! Boy, how i would love to meet those people in real life, just to remember their faces and beat the sillyness out of them ;) Anyway, wonderfull stuff Anton and Valeriy, as always :)

[@tonedriverss8629]

Exactly ! Very well expressed my friend . Beat them ugly morons badly . Too many stupid jealous fkrs in this world .

[@yannisbernard4091]

@@tonedriverss8629 or they use this song for love but they are early ejaculators cause of this sweet melody

[@NoEx-Tech]

Still wondering why this amazingly sonorous piece hasn't got a million view's yet. I'm posting this on all my social media platforms. The bass solos swept me off my feet completely. Mehn.l😬

[@eiriks.546]

Absolutely stunningly beautiful rendition......

[@DHENray]

Eirik S. what kind of instrument at 5:17?

[@JaQba91]

@@DHENray Dude, just read descriptions of videos :)

[@karilamervo5343]

Two of the greatest musicians of modern Russia taking fours...you guys and girls rule

[@moed740]

Yep...

[@raymondclarke9321]

Wow! Listening to steps ahead this morning. This song is my favorite. And quite naturally the algorithm brought me to you and your cover of this song. Bravo 👏🏾 and superb. I might be 8 years late on this cover, but as we all know beautiful music is timeless. Great job!!

[@leedodson3136]

And who couldn’t use Valeriy on their project. Everything he touches turns to gold. And you Sir, once again you’re bass playing is magnificent. From a bass players point of view in my humble opinion is one of the best songs I’ve heard in a long time! Nice remake, nicely done! I just wish you all didn’t live so far away. May the peace of music be with you! 👍✌️

[@AntonDavidyants]

Thank you so much for such kind and warm words!

[@feltsong5539]

❤

[@FrancescoTermini]

can't stop listening

[@antonionadalin6573]

Grande momento di emozione 🙏musicale Grazie per questa interpretazione di uno dei brani musicali più belli che io abbia mai sentito.

[@arnobarzan3934]

E' emozionante anche solo leggere questo tuo commento. Figuriamoci ascoltare questo capolavoro.

[@pierluigibumbaca6959]

Il brano è di Mike Mainieri, lo suonava con gli Steps Ahead. E' in assoluto uno dei brani più belli degli Steps. E questa versione è strabiliante

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Beautiful 👌🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@roma1530]

you can never have enough of listening this guys!! They don´t play just music, is an universe they must have been to, reserved to very few, and they are letting us know how it sounds. I´m not stoned I swear.

[@moed740]

Yep...

[@800pieds]

Probably one of my favorite tunes played by Anton

[@sirolivermally]

yessssss!

[@glennfukunaga5729]

Got chills listening to this. Thank you for putting this out!

[@kwf1358]

For the 68 people that disliked this video. I don't want to know what's going on in your lives. All I know is, it must really suck to be you.

[@Liutan78]

Bravi ! Bravo Anton, preferisco la vostra versione che quella originale... giuro ! 🙂

[@pierluigibumbaca5210]

La versione è fantastica, ma i soli di Mainieri e Brecker nella versione originale per me restano irraggiungibili.

[@jamesangel7901]

I think the word FEELING sums this composition up, must bring up memories for everybody.

[@deweapeisme]

Duuuude.. i need this on spotify or iTunes

[@kcameo1]

Only a couple of days ago I found Seva Guzov and I trully loved it! Excellente. Now I find you both play one of my all time favorite songs. Although nothing can replace the sound of Mike Manieri and the Live in Tokyo recording is absolutely brilliant you performed an outstanding version. Well done! I would love to hear Beirut on that La Faye bass 😊

[@ArkadyShilkloper1956]

Great! I like it!!! Bravo!!!

[@cyrilleepiphanemampouya8166]

Fabuleux!!! La plus belle impro bass de tous les temps. Ils sont géants ces messieurs.

[@sk97225]

Улет!!! Я надеюсь они миллионеры? или родину любят и живут в хрущевке?

[@makaroni1420]

счастье не купишь. как и талант.

[@hansbovin9247]

Realy good. This composition is one of my favorites . And you do it very nice. A Shame Breaker can't hear this version .

[@NeilRaouf]

ok you convinced me: gotta get a shotscale bass!

[@metahed]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing Anton!

[@markbogans2907]

Валера мультик, Антон просто ну космос!!!

[@marioluisbelli45]

EXCELENTE!!! Delicada y respetuosa versión con clímax personales y pasajes musicales finos. FELICITACIONES... Saludos Mario!!! ARGENTINA.

[@KingBaconMonger]

Valeriy Stepanov plays DRUMS too?! He's too talented to be just one person.

[@vladislavmuzak6255]

...it,s about it, how russian guy, with german weapons (both of basses), say warm hello to americans. it,s magic of music...

[@RikvanReekum]

A very subtle and truly eloquent tribute to the original, great job; goose bumps all around ….

[@djensen5836]

Wow. Isn't it great when you discover music that stops you in your tracks, and you just have to sit down and just listen to it over and over? Magnificent! Thanks for sharing this video, Anton.

[@Phalanx-Band]

Super Bass Spieler! Schönes Thema! Bravo Bravo!! Hat das einen Namen??

[@kcameo1]

Dass heisst Selfportrait, ne cover by Steps Ahead.

[@diegoggimenez1]

Muy Hermoso, unas de las primeras melodias que aprendi de mi maestro cuando era niño, me hicieron emocionar!!!!! Felicitaciones!!!!

[@shazidehsanmonon9788]

A big fan of yours, from Bangladesh... Take love sir❤️

[@wadimczuba4526]

На одном дыхании....8 минут просто пролетели...очень, круто!

[@Workshop_57]

Вот слушаю вас субботним утром, и мало того что получаю огромное удовольствие, в голову лезут всякие философские мыслишки о скоротечности нашей жизни и бренности всего сущего вообще. Прав был тот знаменитый киногерой: "Всё приходяще, а музыка вечна". Поздравляю вас, парни, вы сделали нечто что всех нас переживёт на этом свете. Отличная работа!👍👍👍

[@Pedja1956]

Always great!!! Thanks for this beautiful song and marvellous performance.

[@dominiquebriata989]

C est magnifique très beau merci beaucoup (France, barjols 83)

[@juliya2465]

Очень красиво.......Музыка окутывает .......мягкость звуков ... ммммммм.... Спасибо!

[@MrRemcoLamberts]

Goosebumps, straight away. Used to play this with my own group early 90s Steps was a big inspiration musically. Thanks for this.

[@maxfly8169]

Great job, guys. Played with a lot of feeling, from the bottom of the heart. Thank you, real joy!

[@CHAPLINSKYVLOG]

Its absolutely genius . I do like both versions Steps Ahead original and this. I wish you to play this song with Mike Maniery personally somewhere in future

[@АлексейЯстребов-ш4с]

Потрясающий дуэт, как здорово диалог ведете, душевно и очень музыкально!!!

[@vbs2673]

Валерий, это нереально хорошо. Мелодика выше всяких похвал.

[@Antoh11]

ох шикарно, парни круть!!

[@akubranab5812]

Absolument magnifique ! Bravo les gars...

[@sabyasachideb]

real soulful music! thanx Anton its already on loop love from India :)

[@St3ph4n3]

Yeah... Masterpiece. Mainieri / Brecker / Steps... 😧 Beautiful cover...

[@elmolewis9123]

wow... this is such a great arrangement ...

[@DeaFX]

daaaamn i wanna see you perform this on a big stage

[@SergioLopez-el2zy]

Great performance and feeling! Great work!!

[@theprogconnoisseur7955]

What's the name of that tiny bass?

[@skywarrior3508]

Потрясающая композиция и великолепное исполнение.На мой взгляд иногда не хватает фона скрипок.

[@danielelise7348]

Anyone who likes this,I URGE you to watch Marek Raduli,Smut is the song,they are a Polish fusion jazz group & man these guys are phenomenal,you will NOT be disappointed,the bassist Wojtek Pilichowski,is one of the worlds best,I promise you people you will love it!!

[@odedfried-gaon2880]

Very beautiful. and well filmed. too bad the cameraman doesn't know the right hand is also important to see. #OdedFriedGaon #OdedMusic #Audioded

[@evrimevci]

I remember when this album came out, I recorded it on a tape that did not leave my walkman for the whole summer. Great Cover.

[@tegknox2694]

I didn't know of this channel till today so this is my first time through this amazing track as it is one of the 54 VS tracks in the Doug Yoes VS only Playlist. These lovely slower expressionistic tracks like this as well as most of the stunning "Russian Covers" are fast becoming my favorite VS music. Oh and the Tone Poems by Debussey, which I consider a musical triumph.

[@TDrumandbassmusic]

You Guys have beautiful chemistry, that's hard to find these days...keep up the good work.

[@vlaer2008]

👍🏻

[@g_v_bakarev]

Чувствуется огромное понимание исполнения между вами!!! Супер!!!

[@jvnktube]

Who the f*ck would dislike stuff like this? I don't get those people... there are a lot of sociopaths running around on this f*cking planet. I loved this song/music.. This was truly beautiful. People who press 'thumbs down' on stuff like this should be erased from existence in my humble opinion.. If it's not your cup of tea, just move on and listen to something else but actually disliking it makes you one hell of a douchebag..

[@ventu3199]

¡Excelente!... felicitaciones...

[@TheFender69]

Спасибо за душевный бальзам! Антон и Валерий, вы просто лекари!

[@petluv214]

Awesome bass playing

[@АлександрСмирнов-л2ь]

Нет слов ! Как красиво сделано....слюни текут замер на 8 минут напроч

[@Kickbasser]

So much soul! Great music guys!

[@samuelsalins8309]

Bromberg 🎶 nice tune 🎹🎸👌

[@АлександрФедоров-л2л]

Слов нет.Моя душа в этой музыке!

[@JoeyBullet222]

This wouldn't sound bad sped up some. But sounds awesome nonetheless. 👏 👏 👏 bravo.

[@vasilytkachuk4086]

Антон - гений!!!

[@PlaceCanvas]

Great work! This is just amazing! So very beautiful!

[@robylozio2701]

bravissimi!! great song !!

[@РусланСмирнов-с3г]

Да.... Конечно всё это хорошо! Но были уже и Пасториусы и Стенли Кларки и Гарри Уиллисы... Прошло время настоящих музыкантов их Ренессанс никогда не вернется 😢 Правильно сказал Роберт Плант: Мы были первыми , а вам остаётся только обезьянничать! Ничего не хочу сказать плохого, никого не хочу обидеть , всё великолепно, но это вторично... Спасибо! Удовольствие доставили! Воспоминания нахлынули!