Jeff Babko

SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY:

As Leader:
		“MISFITS OF SILENCE”- 1995 NCM West Records (out of print) Debut jazz record, self produced, recorded live to digital 2 track at David Benoit’s studio. Features Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre) on bass, Larry Koonse on guitar, L.A. jazz great Kendall Kay on drums.

		“VANTAGE POINT”- 2000 (with Simon Phillips, co-leader) Jazzline Records Co-led with Simon—this is the “straight ahead” jazz album with Brandon Fields on sax, Walt Fowler on trumpet, and Dave Carpenter on bass. Hopefully their 2001 live radio recording from Holland will eventually be released too. The fiery (and lengthy!) last track of “Vantage,” though, is a great live recording of Freddie Hubbard’s “Spirits of Trane”—live from Café Cordiale in Sherman Oaks, CA. Louie Bellson and Gregg Bissonette were among the listeners at that gig.

		“BROJECT (featuring Toss Panos)”- 2004 Let’s Music! Recording

As Sideman:
		UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CONCERT JAZZ BAND “JAZZ MIAMI” 2002 Summit. College big band—great players. On one track, “Trane Connection.” There was much more recorded from that particular session, which hopefully will be released someday.

		TREEHOUSE “LISTEN TO REASON” 1994 Cane Records Band from Miami. Disbanded shortly after the release of this record. Guitarist Carl Roa went on to form his quirky fusion project “The Magic Elf” in NY, and Scott Garapolo (drums) is a great freelance drummer in NYC, while singer Sam Jaffe became a talent scout for “Star Search,” and bassist Dan Pinder is a respected music editor for film (Pirates of the Caribbean, Catwoman).

		SUBURBAN ALPHABET “SUBURBAN ALPHABET” 1994 Man Alive Records Fusion project—on 1/2 the record along with Mike Elizondo on bass.

		PHIL RANELIN “CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE VERY BEST KIND” 1996, Lifeforce Records. Jazz record featuring ex-Freddie Hubbard trombonist along with Hubbard alum Ralph Penland on drums and L.A. jazz great Tony Dumas on bass.

		SIMON PHILLIPS “ANOTHER LIFETIME” 1997, Lipstick/Magna Carta Records First recording with Simon; personnel includes bass legend Anthony Jackson along with Simon’s touring band: Andy Timmons (with Simon’s partner Ray Russell) on guitar, Wendell Brooks on saxophones, and Peter Michael Escovedo added on percussion. Elliot Scheiner engineered.

		CECILIA NOEL & THE WILD CLAMS “DELIVERY” 1998 After years of playing in the high-energy funk/salsa band, they went into Entourage Studios to cut about 11 songs in one day. Crazy!! Bernie Dresel (Brian Setzer Orchestra) played drums, Carmen Grillo (Tower of Power) played guitar, Carlitos Del Puerto played bass along with a horn section featuring Lee Thornburg, Mario Gonzales, Albert Wing, Cleto Escobedo, and Eric Jorgensen.

		SIMON PHILLIPS “OUT OF THE BLUE” 1998, Lipstick Records A great musical postcard from Simon’s second European tour. “Out of the Blue” captures the fire and intensity of that band and Simon’s spirit. Andy Timmons is on fire throughout, as is Simon.

		RASHAAN PATTERSON “LOVE IN STEREO” 1999, MCA Trombone only—in a section with Les Pierce and Cleto Escobedo, saxes, and Mario Gonzales on trumpet. One track: “Treat You Like a Queen,” produced funkily by Les Pierce.

		PETER HIMMELMAN “MY FABULOUS PLUM” 2000 Peter Himmelman is one of the most gifted and underrated songwriters AND musicians, hands down. This is the only recording I’ve done with him, although I’ve worked with him a bunch—it’s a kid’s record. It was recorded at his old home studio in Santa Monica—he’s since moved to a bigger home studio, where he composes thie music for TV’s “Judging Amy.”

		GEORGE STONE BIG BAND “PIECE BY PIECE” 2000, SeaBreeze Records Big band record— 3rd trombone AND piano on 1/2 the record. Recorded in George’s condo in Canyon Country, CA back in ‘94. George is another Wm. S. Hart High alumni, now teaching in Morro Bay, CA.

		ANDY TIMMONS “THE SPOKEN AND THE UNSPOKEN” 2000, Favored Nations One track, “Cry for You,” is a Japanese live recording with the Simon Phillips band from an Ibanez anniversary concert. “Astral Fishing” also showcases Simon’s band, but was recorded by Simon at Coy Sound. Andy’s a phenomenal musician—when we first began rehearsals for Simon’s first solo tour in late 1996, he came in NAILING all of the tricky, intricate melody lines—while also completely navigating solos through all of Simon’s unconventional chord progressions.

		LYLE WORKMAN “TABULA RASA” 2000 Lyle’s an amazing musician—guitarist and composer. I remember Lyle playing “Splendid Outcast” for me in the Sherman Oaks Guitar Center store on an acoustic; I loved the chords and movement of the song. Sometimes his harmonic sense reminds me of Rundgren, who he played with in the early 90’s. “Splendid Outcast” was actually recorded back in 1996, but as you can hear, lots of production and add’l. composition was involved with the final outcome. Mike Elizondo, Toss Panos and myself tracked live in Lyle’s former Hollywood home studio, and Lyle and saxophonist Scott Mayo overdubbed at Lyle’s current Glendale home studio. I’m proud of this tune, and the great studio guitarist Tim Pierce says he likes it, too.

		KEVYN LETTAU “POLICE” 2000, Universal After touring and gigging locally with Kevyn, the band went into the studio with Russell Ferrante (Yellowjackets) and cut this record of all Police covers. It was an honor to get to play and record WITH Russell—rare to get to play double keyboards with one of your heroes.

		JEFF RICHMAN “LIVE AT THE BAKED POTATO” (VOL. 1 & 2) 2001, Tone Center Records. Richman puts together these “all star” events at the Baked Potato. These were made at the old “new” Baked Potato on Sunset, now gone. The tracks all featured Simon Phillips on drums as well.

		TIM MCGRAW “SET THIS CIRCUS DOWN” 2001, Curb Records Band featured Mike Landau & Val McCallum, guitars, Mike Elizondo, bass, Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello, Los Lobos), drums. Recorded at the now defunct Sony Recording Studios in Santa Monica. Listen for the direct knock-off of Wallflowers’ “One Headlight!”

		MICHAEL LANDAU “THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER” 2001 Mike Landau, the master of tone, touch, and modern guitar made one of the richest musical offerings in recent years with this one. Toss Panos, Mike Elizondo, Jimmy Johnson, Abe Laboriel Jr., and Teddy Landau are also on here. I tried to think of Wayne Shorter when I was playing the melodica (!) solo. Mike’s record is one of the proudest moments of my career thus far. I’ve always been a fan of his musicality, and am honored to be on this one.

		MICHAEL LANDAU “LIVE 2000” 2001 This trio with Jimmy Johnson and Toss Panos is like the Band of Gypsies meets Coltrane’s quartet. Sitting in on one track: “Mort’s Deli.”

		“THE HOWLAND/IMBODEN PROJECT” 2001 Keith Howland and Tris Imboden are Chicago’s current guitarist and drummer. This was recorded at Keith’s home studio in Santa Clarita, CA in 2000.

		ROBBEN FORD “KEEP ON RUNNING” 2003, Concord Records Only on 1 track, on Wurlitzer. Rehearsed all the songs for the record with Jimmy Earl and Toss Panos, but Robben decided he didn’t want keys on the majority of the record (and he ended up playing most keys that made it to tape). Too bad—the band was smokin’ in rehearsal! That version of the band also recorded live in 2001 (Galaxy Theater, Santa Ana, CA) to 2-track. Not available (YET), but really good!

		COLIN HAY “THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS” (“Brown Bag Edition”) 2002

		COLIN HAY “MAN AT WORK” 2003, Compass How talented is singer/songwriter Colin Hay? Thankfully, he’s got a song featured on the “Garden State” soundtrack that’s getting wider attention. After touring with Colin for a while, he assembled the band in his great home studio in Topanga, California for these recordings, along with some add’l. recordings at producer/multi-instrumentalist Chad Fischer’s studio in Hollywood. Check him out at L.A. gigs at Largo—hilarious and musical.

		HOWLAND, LAUG, MORRISON & PINNICK “HLMP” 2003, Grace Note Records Guitarists Keith Howland and Chris Pinnick both have served as Chicago’s guitarists over the years. Lance Morrison (bass) and Matt Laug (drums) are two of L.A.’s busiest studio musicians.

		STEVE LUKATHER “SANTAMENTAL” 2003, Bop City Recorded in 2002, this is a project Elliot Scheiner enlisted Lukather for. Luke called me in to arrange some Christmas songs (or DE-range them, as the case was)—and I thought, “Are you joking?” What an honor it was though—working with Luke, as well as Elliot (Fleetwood Mac, Eagles), as well as the A-list assembled band (John Pierce, bass; Gregg Bissonette, drums; Lenny Castro, percussion, etc.). Also on trombone in the section with Walt Fowler on trumpet and George Shelby on sax, with Gregg Bissonette on trumpet, too! I’m proud of the “Greensleeves” arrangement. Also guests were Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Edgar Winter, Landau… great list!!! Also, my dad can be heard singing on “Jingle Bells” in the chorus behind Luke and Sammy Davis, Jr.! Luke’s been one of my heroes since I first heard Toto, and am still thrilled every time I get to collaborate with him. “Santamental” is truly one of my proudest achievements.

		MELVIN DAVIS “NATURE’S SERENADE” 2003, Orchard One track—cover of Don Grolnick’s masterpiece “The Four Sleepers.” Tough one to cover. Melvin is 1/4 of the “Doves of Fire” with Luke and Simon and myself. That band’s gigs at the Blue Note clubs across Japan were recorded, but it’s uncertain that they’ll ever be released.

		BRYAN BELLER “VIEW” 2003, Onion Boy Also featuring guitarist/keyboardist GENIUS Mike Kenneally. One track: “Supermarket People.”

		THE CORRS “BORROWED HEAVEN” 2004, Atlantic Piano on one track: “Time Enough for Tears.” Producer Olle Romo is underrated and amazing. Mutt Lange recommended him for this project, and he killed it. Watch for him!

		“DRUM NATION, VOL. 1” 2004, Magna Carta One track with Simon Phillips called “Manganese,” recorded at Simon’s immaculate Coy Sound studio. Also featured Andy Timmons (gtr.) and Jimmy Johnson (bass).

		KEITH HOWLAND/HLMP “LIVE AT THE BAKED POTATO” 2004, Grace Note Energetic live recording from the most special club in L.A. Keith was smart to release the results of a fun evening at the Spud.

		“POR VIDA: A TRIBUTE TO THE SONGS OF ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO” 2004, Or. Records. One track (“The Ballad of the Sun and the Moon”) with Pete Escovedo and Sheila E., along with Toshi Yanagi on guitar. Recorded at Sheila’s studio Blue Room in Sherman Oaks, with Sheila producing and Pete singing. The Escovedos are a real special, soulful family.