A highly imaginative and idiosyncratic blend of captivating pop melodies, rock-tinged social commentary and fun, inspired by the work of 60âs groups like The Beatles, The Kinks and The Lovinâ Spoonful with a little Beck, Cake and Chuck Berry mixed in.

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Post-Rock/Experimental, POP: Pop Underground

Show all album songs: Toadstool of the Realm Songs


Details:
"Fantastic!"
Martin Olson, TV writer (Rocko's Modern Life)

A software engineer by trade, Jeff has been active at various levels in the greater Boston music scene since 1978, performing with acts as diverse as J. Geils, Edgar Winter, Johnny A, NRBQ, Jon Butcher, Mission Of Burma, Human Sexual Response, Rick Berlin and The Real Kids.

Jeff's first collaborated with the Martin Olson, the legendary comedy writer of Rocko's Modern Life, SpongeBob and Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular fame, on four albums in the mid-70's:

"Idiot's Delight" (1974) , touted by Sir George Martin as: "the best home-recorded disc I have ever heard", also stating that: "It's a pity there is an ocean between us". Being the provincial-minded neophytes that they were, neither Jeff nor Martin gleaned that it would be a good idea to arrange a meeting with the great man and fly over to England.

"Bound for Hell" (1975)

"Brain Damage" (1976)

"Miss America" (1977)

In 1978, Jeff started the Boston-based band Hot Dates with collaborator Rob Millett (aka Blondi Von Stagdavitz), Grant Clark, Sam Simcoe and Mitch Kary, which became a local favorite and placed fifth in the 1979 WBCN Rumble at the Rat. Jeff initially conceived Hot Dates as a musical comedy revue. Collaborating with renowned comedian Steven Wright and his Emerson College accomplice, John Teneyke, Jeff and Hot Dates first performed at an Inman Square club called The Springfield Street Saloon, which later became the Ding Ho Comedy Club. Hot Dates had one local hit with the Root-Millett penned, "Tune Into Me" which was released as a single. Hot Dates later released a self-titled LP recorded on the Boston Skyline label, owned and operated by Wayne Wadhams of Fifth Estate and Candid Camera theme song fame.

After Hot Dates ran its course, Jeff formed a partnership with award-winning Rob Carlson of Barker Gang / Dell Smart fame to form Einstein which released "Black & White" in 1986.

Jeff then 'retired from the music biz' for 12 years to pursue his passion for software development and to raise a family of three (Zachary, Adrienne and Rebecca) with his lovely wife Diane, only recording sporadically with his family in his basement studio.

In 1998, Jeff recorded his first solo album, âThe Spirit Of â67â, which features performances by drummers Kim Miller and Tom Ruckey, guitarist John Vedoe, bassists Kris Lucander and Zack Root, reed player Zack Chadwick, and his daughters Adrienne Root and Rebecca Root as well as the wonderful engineering of John Little.

Jeff and drummer Kim Miller released the quirky âOrdinary Guiseâ in November of 2001, which received many glowing reviews and became popular as an internet hit with the songs, "21'st Century Girl", "Dirty Money" and "Ordinary Girl".

In 2004, Jeff released âAngst Cretinâ, which features the drumming of Kim Miller as well as the talents of Rob Carlson, Rob Millett, Sam Simcoe, Kris Lucander, Tom Ruckey, Zack Root and David Schlier.

In 2006 Jeff released Kerouac King Kong which features the imaginary hits, 'My Mary Magdalene Lady', 'Kerouac King King' and 'FUBAR'.

In 2007, Jeff wrote and recorded his latest album, 'Toadstool of the Realm' with Tom Ruckey, Rob Carlson, Zack Root, Scot Armstrong, Kris Lucander, Gretchen Schlier, Diane Root, Jon Sayles and Mae Questel (the voice of Betty Boop).

Jeff is currently working on a new CD for 2008 tentatively entitled, "The Gospel According To Saint Jeff".

In his Root Cellar studio, Jeff also has also recorded and produced albums for Mark Fisher, Lee Villeneuve, Nate Smith, Marty Nestor, G.S. Picard, Karl Sharicz, Ashbrook Haynes, Reuban Bellingham and many others.

The graphics for all of Jeff's albums as well as the albums of many of Jeff's audio production clientele were designed and created by his lovely wife, Diane.

Jeff's music might best be described as a highly imaginative and idiosyncratic blend of captivating pop melodies, rock-tinged social commentary and fun, inspired by the work of 60âs groups like The Beatles, The Kinks and The Lovinâ Spoonful with a little Beck, Cake, Waits, Dylan, Devo and Chuck Berry mixed in.

Jeff's plans to produce one album of his own music each year as he continues to enjoy the camaraderie and inspiration of fellow musical conspirators and wild-eyed dreamers.