Broject (Featuring Toss Panos) by Jeff Babko

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-drummer Simon Phillips (the Who, Jeff Beck). This connection turned into a full recording and touring career that continues to this day, including Phillips' first two solo European and Japanese tours, two of Phillips' solo albums (Another Lifetime and the live recording Out of the Blue), and one co-led collaborative "straight ahead" jazz album (Simon Phillips/Jeff Babko, Vantage Point). Phillips, a member of the legendary rock group Toto, introduced Jeff to the members of the band. When keyboardist David Paich was unavailable to tour in 2000 for the first time in the band's history, he personally called Babko to replace him on that tour. "I had been listening to Toto since I was a kid," Babko says. "They were the L.A. musicians that everyone strived to be or be like. Touring with them, and sitting in Dave's chair, was a huge honor!"

At the same time, Babko was more involved with the world of television, appearing on episodes of "Beverly Hills, 90210," "The Drew Carey Show," and most notably, as a member of the house band of the "Martin Short Show" (with Peter Michael Escovedo). That program led to yet another connection, and Babko became Martin Short's musical director, which continues to this day. Babko would continue in the world of television in the house bands of Wayne Brady's network variety show and subsequent daily syndicated talk show.

Bassist Jimmy Earl introduced Jeff to blues/jazz guitar legend Robben Ford in 1999, and Jeff would tour and record with Robben through the years. "Robben's been a hero of mine since the days of the L.A. Express, Miles Davis and the Yellowjackets," Jeff explained. "Every night with him goes someplace special." Babko can be heard on Robben's Concord recording, "Keep On Runnin'."

In addition, Babko has toured and/or recorded with everyone from country star Tim McGraw (Set This Circus Down), Grammy award winning singer Shelby Lynne, top selling smooth jazz artist Rick Braun, percussion stars Sheila E. and Pete Escovedo, folk troubadour Peter Himmelman, composer/trumpeter Mark Isham, Men at Work's Colin Hay, and rocker John Waite, among others. He keeps busy while in L.A., playing often at the Baked Potato and other clubs with various L.A. jazz artists. His co-operative band Shogun Warrior plays at the Potato monthly and receives raves from local audiences, performing songs from Radiohead to Isaac Hayes and the Meters. He also has gon out playing 2nd keyboards with one of his heroes: the great George Duke.

Early in 2002, Toto's guitarist Steve Lukather enlisted Babko to arrange and co-conceive his first Christmas album. Santamental, which features Edgar Winter, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and Slash, (among others), was released to critical and fan acclaim in 2003. In addition, a collaborative "supergroup" (with Phillips, bassist Melvin Davis, and Lukather), The Doves of Fire, toured and gigged sporadically.

An important milestone in Jeff's life was having the honor of touring with the legendary James Taylor on his "October Road" tour, taking over for piano/B3 master Larry Goldings during their 2003 summer run.

Also, Babko is always very involved in arranging and playing on many movie and television scores.

Presently, Jeff is very visible nightly on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show. The late night show with an edge is a favorite of young viewers. Now in its third season, the band has backed up artists like George Benson, Joe Walsh, Maceo Parker, Leann Rimes, the late, great Lou Rawls, Michael McDonald, Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze, George Thorogood, Hank Williams, Jr., Charlie Musselwhite, Edgar Winter, Chaka Khan, Hall & Oates, Isaac Hayes, Jeffrey Osborne, Al Jarreau, the Tower of Power horns, The O'Jays, The Fixx, Jim Belushi and others.

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