JEFF MICHAELS
piano, vocals
A self-taught pianist with a gift for matching unique lyrics to instantly humable melodies, Michaels has recorded with members of Train, the Counting Crows, and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. He has performed live on television and radio, including NPR’s Weekend Edition, KFOG 104.5FM, the largest AAA station in the Bay Area, Inside San Diego on KRON-TV, and a live DVD recording in Santa Barbara, CA. He is also the author of the hit comedic guide to air travel, Please Hug Me – I’ve Been Delayed.
BEN REYNOLDS
bass / juggling
What started out as an infatuation with music has broadened over the years. See, it’s not about being a musician, it’s about fulfilling the roles a musician plays. Performing in an orchestra at Symphony Hall… spinning fire in a club on a Saturday night… playing in a rock band… what’s the difference? You smile, you enjoy yourself, you leave a happier person than when you arrived. I just made someone’s day a little bit better.
CHRIS TEFFNER
guitars
Chris is a guitar virtuoso who has the unusual added talent–knowing when not to play. An essential ingredient to the JMB sound, Chris is the only band member who could withstand the pain of multiple tattoos… all in the name of rock ‘n’ roll.
BILL ZUCK
drums
Bill is a Massachusetts native, recently back from the West Coast where he got a little too used to the sun and easy way of life in San Diego. Nothing a little humidity and some harsh New England winters can’t fix. Expect his back beat to get really aggressive come November…
Bio
Take a little Ben Folds, a little Billy Joel, a dash of Dave Matthews, and a good helping of rock n’ roll, and you get an inkling of Michaels’ sound, or what Evolution of Media refers to as “refreshing and exciting, with a sound that will never fade.”
A self-taught pianist with a gift for matching instantly hum-able melodies with unique lyrics, Michaels has recorded with members of the Counting Crows, Train, and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. His music has been featured in multiple TV shows, including The Real World on MTV, Teen Moms, The T.O. Show, Jam Party video game (Zivix / Peavey), and the theme song for The Restaurant sitcom pilot, featuring the largest ever Boston SAG production.
Michaels began his performing career at the age of 18 in a local oldies band, often having to be snuck in the back door of bars and clubs just to play. Patrons would take notice of the young pianists’ expert renditions of Elton John classics and Jerry Lee Lewis solos, while Michaels used this opportunity to soak up the stage experience of his fellow band mates, 20 years his senior.
After moving to San Francisco, Michaels further honed his ivory skills performing at dueling piano shows and private parties in Napa Valley before joining the group Luce as their original keyboard player. It was with Luce that Michaels got his first taste of national success with their hit, Good Day (heard in the motion pictures 13 Going On 30, and How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days). But success wasn’t to last. In one week’s time Michaels went from performing for audiences of 8,000 back to the Berkeley-area open mics after the group underwent a lineup change.
Undeterred, Michaels spent several years working on his debut album with Bay Area producer, Adam Rossi. Fronting his new band Even Elroy, the group quickly became a staple on the San Francisco club and college scene, delivering a high-energy set often heavy on Ben Folds Five covers. A number of accolades followed, including runners up for Mix 106.5FM Battle of the Bands, a San Francisco Marathon performance, winners of the UC Berkeley Best Unsigned Band contest, and showcases at Red Gorilla Music Fest at SXSW in Austin, TX. Media performances included KFOG 104.5FM, KUSI-TV Inside San Diego, and a live DVD recording broadcast in Santa Barbara.
It was at this time Michaels caught the eye of Jon Delange, President of the independent radio promotions company, Tinderbox. On the strength of Michaels’ writing, Delange helped secure licensing for 16 major TV shows, resulting in several prominent TV placements.
In 2008, Michaels returned to his hometown of Boston where he formed a second group, enabling him to perform on both coasts and combat the high cost of touring. He also took some time off from music to publish the hit comedic guide to air travel, Please Hug Me – I’ve Been Delayed, featured in airports nationwide.
This year marks the release of a brand new album from Michaels, the first under his own name—although he is the first to acknowledge his many friends and musicians who he considers integral to the Jeff Michaels story. As he states, “Without them, this music would only exist in my mind.”
His ongoing passion for songwriting is apparent in this new collection of material, where he hopes to use his own experiences to make the world a better place, one song at a time.
Previous releases include: No More Rainbows (2008); Nothing’s Really Changed (2006); Even Elroy EP (2005); Red Jacket (2004).