Jeff’s studies began with his first teacher, Rob Junceau III, who influenced him greatly. Not only did Junceau teach the discipline that Jeff would need further down the road but he also fueled and cultivated a passion for music that motivated this young bassist to pursue music on a lifelong journey. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jeff studied under Richard Davis for five years and performed with Davis’s Black Music Ensemble. In his undergrad studies, he became principal bassist for UW-Madison’s Symphony Orchestra, toured with the Wisconsin Singers, and performed in the UW-“Jazz Composers Septet” along with other various local bands. It was here where the diverse influences of classical, jazz, funk and other genres of music melded into the foundation of Jeff’s repertiore.
After graduating, Jeff joined up with various bands in the Madison area, including Harmonious Wail, The Big Payback, No Name Stringband and Ted Keys Trio all of which he is still a member of. Throughout the years he has also made appearances with other Madison area bands like Red Hot Horn Dogs, Tuesday Night Squad, Black Star Drumline, Nuggernot and Lo Marie. Jeff has been the recipient of the Madison Area Music Award for Best Bassist of the Year and Classical Performer of the Year; as well as over a dozen other awards associated with bands he is apart of. Throughout the year, you can find Jeff touring internationally with the various bands he is in as well as teaching at Heid Music in Madison. For information about either booking or setting up lessons, please contact him directly. He is currently recording a solo/collaborative album that reflects a broad application of classical and jazz influences along with the vast array of other genres of music.