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Musician for 50 years. I've been playing keyboards since I was 5, and cannot think of anything I love as much as I do music. I've had the honor of accompanying some of the finest artists in America (mostly gospel, but some secular), and each experience has taught me something different. I am extremely grateful to all of the artists who have allowed me the privilege of playing for them, and the opportunity to gain from them. A special thanks to those who recognized and assisted in nurturing my talents at a very early age: Charles Stokes, Frank Johnson, Terry Douglass, Paul Kinlow, Olivia Williams-Kinlow, Bishop W.D.C. Williams, and Bishop Milton Perry, who spoke the prophecy over my life at age 5 that I would be a musician.Probably one of the most humbling experiences for me was visiting the New Orleans area post-Katrina. The destruction was totally indescribable. My best friend's mother's home was blown a block away from its site, and turned 180 degrees. It just reminded me that in spite of it all, God is in control. And no matter how terrible things may seem be for you, there is someone who is worse off than you are.
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and born in 1953 to Elder Allison and Mother Artie LaValley, Jeffrey began his musical career on a piano purchased for his older sister at the age of five. Jeffrey studied journalism at Pennsylvania State University in Monaca, Pennsylvania, and at Marquette University in Milwaukee. In 1986, Jeffrey began his formal musical studies, and enrolled in the music studies program at Mott Community College in Flint, where he achieved Dean’s List Status for 2 years, carrying a 4.0 average.His greatest accomplishments however, have been in the field of gospel music. As a writer, musician, director, and/or producer, Jeffrey has appeared on over 200 projects including the New Jerusalem Baptist Church Choir, Wilmington-Chester Mass Choir, Florida Mass Choir, Charles Fold & The Charles Fold Singers, Myrna Summers, Rev. Donald Vails, Rev. James Cleveland, The Wisconsin Community Choir, Vernard Johnson, The Christianaires, Douglas Miller, Keith Pringle and the Pentecostal Community Choir, The Jackson Southernaires, The Voices-Supreme, Betty Griffin-Keller, Charisma, Dello Thedford & The Gospel Symphonic Choir, The Full Gospel Baptist Church Mass Choir [which he produced, and was nominated for 1996 Stellar, Soul Train and Grammy Awards], Lou Rawls, and many others. For three years, he served as the musical director for the Tramaine Hawkins Road Band, and formerly served as the concertmaster for the Gospel Music Workshop of America Mass Choir. Jeffrey coordinated the choral background vocals for the Palace of Auburn Hills concert performance of pop star George Michael, and appeared with Aretha Franklin in concert in Flint and at the Joe Dumars Retirement Celebration at the Palace of Auburn Hills. He was also a featured artist in the “Gentlemen of Gospel Series” at the John F. Kennedy Center, Washington D.C., and coordinated the music for the nuptials of filmmaker Michael Moore .In 1987, Jeffrey was commissioned to compose a song for Pope John IV during his Papal visit to Detroit, and in 1989, he was awarded the G.M.W.A. Excellence Award for Song of the Year—Contemporary, “No Greater Love”. He was also featured as one of the top producers of 1994 in the Gospel Music Industry Roundup, the 1996 edition of the Gospel Music Industry Roundup, and was featured in the 1997 and 1998 editions of the Gospel Music Industry Roundup, as one of the most sought-after producers in Gospel music. In 2001, Jeffrey received the Vision Award from the University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Black Sacred Music Symposium for his achievements in gospel music. In 2001, Jeffrey released his first instrumental musical project, “…From My Heart”. On June 15, 2004 , Jeffrey released his second musical project, entitled, “Round 2”. His composition, “Revelations 19:1”, was chosen as the entrant for the Papal Celebration at the Vatican in June, 2006.For over 30 years, Jeffrey has and currently serves as the minister of music at the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church in Flint . He also served as the International Minister of Music for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Presiding Bishop for nine years. On July 18, 2004 , Jeffrey was ordained as an Elder by Bishop Odis A. Floyd. He has received proclamations from several cities, including Dallas, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Little Rock, and Louisville. Listed in the 1989 edition of the Outstanding Young Men of America, and in Who’s Who of 1991, Jeffrey was also a participant in the 1994 World Choir Celebration in the Georgiadome, Atlanta, Georgia, where he was an accompanist to the 5000-voice World Mass Choir and Peabo Bryson.