Stefan Lessard

Stefan Lessard
Lessard performing in 2008
Lessard performing in 2008
Background information
Born
Stefan Kahil Lessard

(1974-06-04) June 4, 1974 (age 52)
Anaheim, California
Occupations
InstrumentBass guitar
Years active1991–present
Member of
EducationTandem Friends School
Board member of
Reverb
Spouse
Josie Baucom
​
(m. 1997⁠–⁠2004)​
Jaclyn Burton
​
(m. 2005)​
Children5 (1 deceased)

Stefan Lessard (born June 4, 1974) is an American musician, best-known as the bassist for Dave Matthews Band, of which he is a founding member. He is also a member of the supergroup Yukon Kornelius.

Life and career

Stefan Kahil Lessard was born on June 4, 1974, to musician parents. His father Ron was a professional bassist and graduated from Berklee College of Music two years after Stefan's birth. During Lessard's early life his family moved between the West and East Coasts several times before settling in Yogaville, an ashram in Virginia in 1984.

Lessard joined Dave Matthews Band at age 16, recommended to the band's guitarist and vocalist Dave Matthews by trumpeter and music teacher John D'earth. Lessard commenced studying jazz at Virginia Commonwealth University. However, due to the rising popularity of Dave Matthews Band, he ceased his studies.

Instruments

In addition to his typical bass guitar, Lessard also plays double bass and ukulele bass. Among the basses he has used are a 1957 Fender Precision Bass (for recording of Dave Matthews Band's 2023 album Walk Around the Moon), a custom Dingwall 6-string, Music Man StingRays (4- and 5-string), a Modulus fretless, and a Warwick Dolphin.

Personal life

In 1996, Lessard's three-week-old daughter, Aslan, died of unknown causes. He married Josie Baucom in 1997; and they divorced in 2004. He then married Jaclyn Burton in 2005, with whom he has three daughters. In 2007, his home was destroyed by a fire. Lessard now resides in Laguna Beach, California, and he has a son and three daughters.

Lessard is a member of the advisory board of Reverb, a non-profit environmental organization.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Todd, Nate (June 4, 2021). "Happy Birthday Stefan Lessard: Performing Live With Dave Matthews Band At West Point In 2007". Jambase. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 D'Auria, John (March 17, 2024). "Stefan Lessard: Swimming The Fretboard". Bass Magazine. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  3. ↑ Gray, Dylan (January 7, 2013). "Yukon Kornelius Reunites Members of Dave Matthews Band, Barenaked Ladies, Guster and Spymob". Relix. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  4. ↑ Tucker, Brad (March 14, 2013). "Stefan Lessard Talks Yukon Kornelius". Relix. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (July 12, 2019). Dave Matthews Band FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Popular Jam Band. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. pp. 29–32. ISBN 978-1-4930-5088-8.
  6. ↑ Todd, Nate (June 4, 2020). "Happy Birthday Stefan Lessard: Dave Matthews Band Performs At Beacon Theatre In 1995". Jambase. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  7. ↑ Mason, Anthony (May 29, 2009). "The Dave Matthews Band Opens Up". CBS News. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  8. 1 2 D'Auria, John (May 7, 2020). "Bass Magazine Lockdown Check-In With Stefan Lessard". Bass Magazine. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  9. ↑ Morse, Steve (October 4, 1996). "Dave Matthews Band's brotherhood goes beyond music". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Fire destroys home of Dave Matthews Band bass player". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 30, 2007. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Advisory Board: Stefan Lessard". Reverb. 2026. Retrieved February 26, 2026.