There was a lot of music early on in Jeff's house coming from his mom's classical music collection, his dad's love of Motown and R&B, and variety of styles from his sister's dance rehearsals.  He picked up the tenor saxophone to play in the sixth grade band and with the influence of a few exceptional teachers and band directors  played with many local and statewide honor bands through high school.  From there he left his hometown of San Jose, CA for Chicago to study music at Northwestern University where his teachers included jazz pianist Mike Kocour, composer Don Owens, and world famous classical saxophonist Fred Hemke.  Many of Jeff's original compositions and arrangements have been premiered and recorded by Northwestern ensembles and various other groups.  He received his degree in June '03 and moved to New York City to continue composing, teaching, and performing. In the June '04 issue of Downbeat magazine, Jeff was cited as one of the most talented instrumental jazz musicians to come out of school that year in North America.

In July of '05 he and pianist, Charles Geizhals will be opening a school on Long Island called East West Music which will offer private and group lessons, small ensembles, early childhood music classes, and instrument rentals.

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