Jeff

A native of Portland, Oregon, Jeff Minnieweather began his performing career at age 7 playing drums at his minister grandfather’s knee in church. By 12 he was touring the West Coast with the gospel group, Mighty Wings of Faith. From 13 to 15, he appeared weekly on Portland’s “Hallelujah Sunday” gospel television show. In high school, Jeff was awarded a scholarship to study with legendary Motown drummer, Mel Brown.He studied jazz on scholarship at Mt. Hood Community College, where his bandmates in their award-winning big band included chart-topping trumpeter Chris Botti, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Todd Field, and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Diane Krall alum Ben Wolfe. At 19, Jeff launched his professional jazz career with the formation of the Jeff Minnieweather Trio for Alaskan cruise ship tours.Jeff anchored the drum chair in Portland’s seminal funk band, Cool’r, for several years, a group formed by founding members of the influential jazz/funk band, Pleasure. He can be heard on Cool’r’s self-titled release on A&M which was produced by famed producer Lou Adler.He spent several years touring the country with the Curtis Salgado Band and recorded several CD’s with Salgado. Jeff co-wrote the title track of Salgado’s More Than You Can Chew which was featured in an episode of “Sex and the City.” As a member of Joe Louis Walker’s band, he can be heard on the House of Blues Rolling Stones tribute album, Paint it Blue.Jeff has toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan and the Caribbean. He has had the privilege of sharing the stage with a variety of artists, including Steve Miller, Robert Cray, Ike Turner, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Steve Cropper, Pinetop Perkins, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Keb Mo, Albert Collins, Steve Allen, Drifters, Shirley Caesar, Joe Sample, Bud Shank, Tom Grant, Leroy Vinneagar, tap dancer Arthur Duncan and more.Jeff’s gospel background enables him to bring a deep level of soul to every genre he plays (jazz, R&B, soul, funk, blues, gospel, big band, Latin jazz). He’s known for his impeccable time-keeping and fat pocket. Although he possesses very solid technique, what makes him popular in the drum chair is that first and foremost he’s all about the groove.He currently performs with 11-time Grammy winner and former Santana lead vocalist, Tony Lindsay, 2006 Blues Music Award nominee Sista Monica, Joe Louis Walker and Sacramento jazz quartet D’Baba Project.