Pianist Steven Blier is among the leading American song accompanists, and he founded the durable New York Festival of Song. He is also a prominent educator. In 1989, Blier made his recording debut, backing baritone William Sharp on a recital of songs. He may be best known for co-founding the New York Festival of Song, which had its first season in 1988 and 1989; he remained its artistic director as of the early 2020s. By 2023, when he issued the album Black & Blue on NYFOS with tenor Joshua Blue, his recording catalog comprised some 35 items.