“**** Babko has produced one of the most combustible, warped concoctions this year… this is not simply fusion by the numbers.”- DOWNBEAT Magazine, Oct. ‘07
“****1/2 Mondo Trio contains some of the Vinster’s best ever full-on performances… equally groove-heavy and texturally diverse.”- MODERN DRUMMER, Nov. ‘07
Larry Carlton/Robben Ford Live in Tokyo 2006
Simon Phillips & Jeff Babko- Vantage Point band 2000
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Robben Ford at Montreux 1999 w/ Jeff Babko
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Toto w/ Jeff Babko- Georgy Porty- "Rock Under Broen" 2000 Europe
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Robben Ford w/ Jeff Babko- Montreux '99 Tired Of Talkin'
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From fulfilling his duties as keyboardist and arranger at ABC-TV’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” to his innovative orginal groups and supporting work for many recording artists, as well as extensive work in TV and film, Jeff Babko has become one of Los Angeles’ busiest keyboardists.
A native of Southern California, Jeff studied privately at the prestigious California Institute of the Arts while still in high school. Collecting all styles of used vinyl, Jeff also developed a strong interest in pop/rock FM radio, as well as jazz and fusion music.
After high school, Jeff went across the country to attend the University of Miami School of Music, and quickly became one of South Florida’s hardest working musicians as well. After graduating and returning to Los Angeles, Babko formed his first jazz quartet, “The Jeff Babko Group,” and recorded and produced their first record at the age of 23, released on his own label. This CD, Misfits Of Silence, received worldwide distribution and charted nationally at jazz radio.
While playing jazz in L.A., Babko was invited to tour with Latin superstar Julio Iglesias, which led to three world tours and many television appearances.
One of Jeff’s strongest connections has been with drummer Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck, The Who). In 1997, Simon embarked upon his first solo tour, and eventually this band would record two albums, Another Lifetime and the live Out of the Blue. Simon and Jeff also co-led a “straight ahead” jazz record, Vantage Point, as well as a recent “hi-def” DVD, Resolutions. Simon’s connection would lead to Jeff touring with L.A.’s legendary band, Toto, where Jeff was the first ever replacement keyboardist for founder David Paich.
Jeff has also toured with James Taylor, alt-country singer Shelby Lynne, guitarist Robben Ford, Men at Work’s Colin Hay, and smooth jazz trumpeter Rick Braun. Babko has also performed with composer Mark Isham, singer John Waite, Sheila E. and the Escovedo family, Mike Clark & Paul Jackson of Headhunters, and even Stevie Wonder. His most recent extensive live collaborations have been with guitarist Larry Carlton, which recently yielded "LIVE IN TOKYO WITH ROBBEN FORD"- a CD available in Japan and the U.S.!
Other recording highlights include arranging and playing on Toto guitarist Steve Lukather’s demented Christmas record, Santamental , which also featured Slash, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and Edgar Winter, as well as Lukather's newest solo record, "EVER CHANGING TIMES." Babko has also recorded with Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Natasha Bedingfield, The Corrs, and Dr. Dre., among many others. Larry Carlton’s rock-tinged Firewire (BMG) also showcases Jeff’s supporting keyboard work.
Some films on which Babko can be heard include the 1 2005 hit The 40 Year Old Virgin, 2007's "SUPERBAD" (with Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell), the Hunter S. Thompson biopic "GONZO," Garden State, Dawn of the Dead (1 2004 remake), Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Made, Two for the Money, Dirty, In Her Shoes, American Wedding, and School for Scoundrels. Television scores have included the 2007 Miss America show, "The Bronx Is Burning," the 2003-2005 World Stunt Awards, “Heist,” “Vegas Weddings Unveiled,” and more.
In addition, since 1999, Babko has been very involved with television ON camera, beginning with his involvement as a member of the house band on the short lived “MARTIN SHORT SHOW.” (This would lead to Jeff’s being Mr. Short’s road musical director, which continues to this day.) He followed this with a similar role on the “Wayne Brady Show,” and finally got to “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in 2003. On “JKL,” the band (“The Cletones”) has backed up Hall & Oates, George Benson, Steve Miller, George Thorogood, Hank Williams, Jr., Edgar Winter, Al Jarreau, ABC, Ted Nugent, Leann Rimes, Joe Walsh, Chaka Khan, Isaac Hayes, Jeffrey Osborne, and others. Other TV appearances have included “The Drew Carey Show,” “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” and “Beverly Hills 90210.”
Babko can be heard on JAMES TAYLOR's newest release, "COVERS," on HearMusic.
Finally, Jeff Babko’s recent solo records include Broject (Featuring Toss Panos), available from jeffbabko.com, which featured David Fiuczynski and Mike Landau, and.
MONDO TRIO-- featuring Jeff Babko, Jeff Coffin & Vinnie Colaiuta! This BRAND NEW CD is available from Abstractlogix.com. Go get it!!!
