Biography

Jeff Lorber biography

Since the advent of the New Adult Contemporary format in the late 80’s, Jeff Lorber has been filling a unique dual role. Having played a significant role in developing the late 70’s, early 80’s R&B-jazz hybrid sound, the keyboardist has managed the difficult task of inspiring a new generation of instrumental artists, while remaining a vital and cutting edge creative force himself. Last years “The Definitive Collection”, gathered the best material from six recordings (from 1979 through ‘85) by his hugely influential band Jeff Lorber Fusion. Lorber has also been a huge factor behind the scenes, writing and producing projects for Michael Franks, Dave Koz, Eric Marienthal and the late Art Porter. Since revitalizing his solo career with 1993’s Worth Waiting For, Lorber also been a cutting edge genre artist in his own right.

Philly raised and Berklee educated, Jeff Lorber had no specific design in mind when he recorded his first album in 1977. In those days artist experimentation was encouraged, and Lorber set no limits on his own freewheeling expressions. He simply drew elements from every artist or group he admired-- from Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of Power to Miles Davis, and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band-- threw them all into a pot, simmered slowly and somehow discovered a sound that remains fresh even all these years later.

Lorber fondly refers to the wealth of music he created on his six albums from 1979-1985 (which led to his first Grammy nomination for Best R&B instrumental for Pacific Coast Highway in 1985) as “second generation fusion.” He explains, “The early fusion of the 70’s, the sounds I was influenced by like Return to Forever and Weather Report, tended to feature awesome, hard rocking grooves behind the jazz improvisations. Guys like me, Grover Washington, Jr. and Spyro Gyra crafted more of a synthesis of jazz, R&B and instrumental pop where melody was as, if not more important than wailing solos and hardcore chops. The composing took on a shape closer to pop song writing. I see it as the bridge between that hardcore movement and today's friendly but still grooving smooth jazz.”

After the heyday of Jeff Lorber Fusion (a band which featured a then little-known sax player named Kenny G. Whose first album Lorber produced) Jeff Lorber produced R&B artists like Karyn White (including her Top Ten hit Facts of Love) and entered his remixing phase. Getting back into the instrumental groove in the 90’s, he produced tracks on Dave Koz’s first two albums (and later, 1999’s The Dance) and other projects for Eric Marienthal, Art Porter, Michael Franks, and Herb Alpert.

After re-emerging as a solo artist with 1993’s Worth Waiting For, Lorber went on to release West Side Stories (1994), State of Grace (1996) and Midnight (1998) - all of which were huge hits in the format. He continues to work with smooth jazz artists (saxman Jeff Kashiwa’s recent hit Another Door Opens, and the upcoming Chris Camozzi album.) and recently worked on pianist Cyrus Chestnut's A Charlie Brown Christmas, engineering Pro Tools editing in his studio.

Jeff Golub biography

Desert Island Discs

Which 2 albums would you take with you to a desert island?

John Mayall and Eric Clapton – Blues Breakers
Wes Montgomery – Smokin’ At The Half Note

Jeff Golub is a contemporary jazz guitarist with 6 solo albums and 3 CD’s as the leader of the instrumental band “Avenue Blue”. Before becoming an instrumentalist, Golub worked as a sideman to a number of very successful rock and pop artists.

Golub is probably best known for his work with Rod Stewart, who he played with from 1988 until 1995 performing on 4 albums and 5 world tours as well as recording the live DVD “One Night Only” live at Royal Albert Hall.

Born in Copley Ohio, Golub started playing by emulating 60’s blues rock guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix etc.... Then, following up on the artists that these musicians sighted as their inspiration, he delved deeper into the blues listening to Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and anyone named King (B.B.,Albert and Freddie).

Golub was in his teens when he first heard a Wes Montgomery record. This moment set him on a whole new course which led him to study at Berklee Music College in Boston. From Boston Golub Moved to New York in 1980 where his first major gig was with rocker Billy Squier. Golub appeared on 7 albums and 3 world tours with Squier.

Golub released his debut solo recording, “Unspoken Words” for Gaia records in 1988 but really embraced his role as band leader and instrumentalist with the release of “Avenue Blue” in 1994 for Mesa Bluemoon / Atlantic records.

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