Jeff Lucas

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Jeff started teaching himself to play guitar by ear at the age of 10 and began playing professionally at age 15. After being transplanted from his native New Jersey to northern California in 1985, Jeff attended Cosumnes River College where he studied piano and music theory with Ed Avila. He also received private instruction from Paul Taylor and Jim Domiano. Active in the Sacramento music scene from 1986 to 2004, Jeff has played with notable Sacramento musicians including: Johnny Heartsman, Mick Martin, Jackie Greene, Hence Phillips, The Fabulous Flames, Glen Lane and The Soul of the Blues, Jimmy Pailer, Coda, Stacie Eakes and the Superfreaks, “Lazy Boy" Johnny Nugget and the Delta Blues Society, Omar Shariff, Gordon Groft, Kentucky Slim, Just a Jammin’ Band, Who Killed Ruth and Aftershock. Jeff has also opened for international acts including: Pete Best, Coco Montoya, Molly Hatchet, Kenny Neal, Mick Martin and Rusty Zinn. He feels that one of the great benefits of living and working in California is the vibrant and varied music scene. Having the opportunity to sit in with many well-known musicians, the chance to play a wide spectrum of musical styles, and an active art community contributed to both his growth and his versatile style of playing. In the spring of 2004, Jeff recorded and traveled with the band Small Town Riot for various shows in British Columbia and Vancouver, Canada. In the summer of 2004, Jeff moved to the high desert of southern California and quickly became active with the music scene in the Riverside and surrounding Inland Empire area. Working with Buddy Reed and The Rip It Ups, Brett Miller and th’ Rockin' 88’s and The Rejects. He has enjoyed the experience of playing notable gigs such as, The 1st Annual Pasadena Blues Festival, Pasadena, Ca; The Annual Orange Blossom Festival in Riverside, Ca; The Mission Inn Tobacco Lounge, Riverside, Ca; Crossroads, Yucaipa, Ca; The Chili, Bike and Blues Festival, Laughlin, Nevada; Tahoe Biltmore Lodge and Casino in Crystal Bay, Nevada; Avi Resort and Casino, Laughlin, Nevada; The Rhythm Room, Phoenix, Arizona; The Birdcage, Prescott, Arizona; Friday Night Concerts in the Park, Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento, Ca; The Boardwalk, Orangevale, Ca; The Sutter Street Saloon, Folsom, Ca and The Torch Club in downtown Sacramento. Jeff has currently been playing with The Kingpins, a blues and classic rock band based in the Riverside, Inland Empire area. Voted Best Blues Band of 2006 and winner of the "Blue Note Award" at the 1st Annual Pasadena Blues Festival. An exciting and adventurous player, Jeff plays a mix of styles. His first love is funk and blues, but his strength shows through in his straightforward rock and roll musical approach. Known for his fluid, exuberant guitar style, it is easy to hear the strong influences of guitar greats Jimi Hendirx, Frank Zappa, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, B.B. King, Freddy King, Albert King, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Jeff also counts musical groups such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Steely Dan, Allman Brothers, The Band, Grateful Dead, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin influencing the character and style of his music. Jeff has most recently been working on original material and tuning pianos in the High Desert, Riverside, San Bernardino & Inland Empire Areas. Jeff Lucas Piano Service (916) 502-0769