He soon came under the expert tutorage of Phil Hilborne, noted guitarist/performer/and author of the best selling instructional book, “Solo”.ĭuring the summer of ’87 Jeff started auditioning for bands, and in July of that year he took up a full time position as lead guitarist and backing vocalist with North Point Park. In November of 1986, Jeff packed up his bags, grabbed his guitar, and headed across the pond to England for an extended stay with his mother and brother who were living there at the time. The quieter pursuit of song writing occupied much of Jeff’s time as well, culminating in several recording sessions with his band “Critical Decision” at Moon Studios in Sacramento, which still exists to this day. While gaining more and more playing and performing experience around the Sacramento scene, Jeff also completed a music theory degree from Sacramento City College, leading to a successful career in teaching that was to play a bigger role in his life later on. After successfully auditioning for CK McClatchy High School Jazz Band, Jeff received a gift of his first “real guitar”, a genuine 1982 USA series Fender Stratocaster, from his father who by now could see that Jeff’s hobby was to become his lifelong pursuit (for better or worse!) Les Paul and Stratocaster copies reinforced Jeff’s arsenal (more on Arsenal later!) and meanwhile Jeff’s talents were being transferred to the stage in various bands doing the usual rounds, playing high school dances, birthday parties and (much to his father’s chagrin) to the neighbours via the garage!ĭuring this time, Jeff began studying with two of Sacramento’s most respected guitar teachers, Mark Adorni, and Stephen Grace. Despite guitar strings the size of telephone wires, and an extremely uncomfortable action that would make a grown man cry, Jeff pursued his newly found instrument with enthusiasm and diligence. a much beloved “Woolworth’s Top 20” purchased on one of Jeff’s summer visits to his mother and younger brother in England. Piano lessons followed but didn’t last too long as the “otherworldly” tones of Progressive Rock ushered in his adolescence and led Jeff to his first guitar. Jeff’s musical training began at the tender age of seven with the clarinet, encouraged by his Grandfather who was a huge Benny Goodman fan. Although these bands were to play a large part in Jeff’s later career, it was the influence of the Progressive Rock bands, Yes, Rush, The Who and Pink Floyd (particularly David Gilmour’s solo in the song “Money”) that initially grabbed Jeff’s attention. Growing up in the 70’s in Northern California, Jeff was exposed to many country and southern rock bands of the day, including The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Poco, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, and The Charlie Daniels Band.
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