Since moving to the Los Angeles area about five years ago, Jeff Novack has established himself as an in-demand bassist and teacher. Equally adept on either upright or electric bass, Jeff has lent his unique talents to a wide variety of projects and continues to build his reputation as a versatile musician.
After first picking up the electric bass at age 14, Jeff found himself eager to learn all he could about the instrument and music in general. This fascination continued to manifest itself as Jeff went on to study at both the Berklee College of Music, where he graduated summa cum laude and at the world-renowned Jazz program at The University of North Texas where he earned his Master in Music degree. While at North Texas, he was also awarded a teaching fellowship and inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society.
Upon graduation from North Texas, Jeff won an audition for a production called "Harlem" which was being produced by the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and he soon commenced on two nationwide tours with the company.
Now in LA, Jeff has had the opportunity to work with a variety of projects and artists. A sample of some of the artists he has recently had the chance to work with include: Sammy Hagar, blues guitar legend "Smokin" Joe Kubek, Tia Carrere, Norah Jones, Lou Diamond Phillips, Broadway singer Rachel York (appearing on her 2005 album for Barnes&Noble Let's Fall in Love) jazz greats Robben Ford, Joe Chambers and Peter Bernstein, lounge singers Marty and Elayne (featured in the movie "Swingers"), Australian vocalist Catherine Lambert (featured in the movie "Lost in Translation") and local legend Preston Smith. For most of 2005-2006 Jeff could be seen on stages from the Vegas Strip to the Sydney Opera House as part of singer Engelbert Humperdinck's touring band. Recent recordings featuring Jeff's playing include an EP with the pop/jazz group Layabout, a full length album with the Anita Thomas Quartet featuring alto sax player Jeff Clayton (Clayton-Hamilton Big Band) and an as yet unreleased album with the Tim Davies Big Band. Jeff has also lately been involved with local artist Brian Judah and comedy/jazz act Richard Cheese and Lounge Against The Machine, playing sold out shows across the country in such venues as the House of Blues in Chicago and the Derby in Los Angeles.
As an educator, Jeff has taught in various capacities from leading group lessons to junior high and high school students in the Irving School District, to a graduate teaching position at North Texas. He has also served as principal bass instructor at Mars Music, Inc., South Pasadena Music and Orange County Music Academy, is on the faculty of LA Music Academy and was a senior instructor for DayJams, Inc. music camps.
The current project that is keeping Jeff very busy these days is the opening of his brand new music school: West Coast Music Academy in Santa Clarita. Visit www.westcoastmusicacademy.com for more info. on the school and how to sign up for lessons.
Jeff is endorsed by the following companies:
Lakland Basses
D'Addario Strings
Planet Waves Instrument Cables