You may not even KNOW you're familiar with Jeff Babko's playing-- but it's very likely you've heard it. Last summer's 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN featured his piano/keyboard work. He's also the blond guy in the band on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, every weeknight on [+]You may not even KNOW you're familiar with Jeff Babko's playing-- but it's very likely you've heard it. Last summer's 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN featured his piano/keyboard work. He's also the blond guy in the band on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, every weeknight on ABC TV (with Cleto & the Cletones). Keyboard hero George Duke personally tapped Jeff to be his 2nd keyboardist, as well as 80's legends Toto having Jeff replace founding member David Paich on their 2000 European tour. He's also toured with James Taylor and Shelby Lynne, and is just about to cut a live record with guitar legends Larry Carlton and Robben Ford-- together for the first time. And his cooperative band Shogun Warrior has been captivating local listeners for 4 years now. Babko's also responsible for the quirky, edgy keyboard work on Larry Carlton's latest genre-bending CD, FIRE WIRE.
BROJECT is Babko's OWN CD-- where he lets loose and cranks it up with his friends. These associates include David Fiuczynski, Mike Landau, Simon Phillips, Toss Panos, Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Fiona Apple), and Albert Wing (Frank Zappa).
Some call it "fusion"-- some call it "electric jazz." If you dig Miles "On The Corner" and "Live/Evil," or Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck-- or any other high energy instrumental music, YOU'LL DIG "BROJECT!"
Here's Jeff's story:
He grew up in Southern California, about 30 minutes away from the sprawling music scene of L.A. While attending grade school, and until he graduated high school, Jeff studied at Cal Arts (in his hometown of Valencia, CA), and then at 18, he left for the prestigious University of Miami School of Music in Florida. There he also became an "in-demand" sideman with visiting and local artists. Upon his return to L.A., Babko formed the "Jeff Babko Group," a jazz quartet that would record one album, Misfits of Silence. This album featured his high school pal Mike Elizondo on bass, who introduced Jeff to hip hop producer Dr. Dre, with whom Babko played piano (and trombone) throughout the following year. Simultaneously, Babko began a touring relationship with Latin crooner Julio Iglesias, which lasted intermittently for three years, and took him around the world.
Toward the end of his tenure with Iglesias, Jeff was asked to tour Europe with super-drumme
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