Steven Zdenek Eckels, born on August 18, 1955, in New Mexico, was an American guitarist and music educator. Coming from a musical family with Czech roots, Eckels started his career early, forming bands and receiving guitar instruction at age 12. In 1973, he moved to Boston and performed as part of the Eckels Brothers duo, releasing the jazz album Fresh Powder (1983). Eckels also studied at the New England Conservatory, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1978 and a Master's degree in 1980. He began teaching guitar and vocals at Northland College in 1986. Eckels authored 11 guitar instruction books for Mel Bay Publications and served as a columnist for Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine. Notable albums include American Sampler (1999) and Comfort & Joy (2006). Eckels passed away on April 3, 2023, in Kalispell, Montana.
