Jazz Articles about Jeff Babko

BKO Quintet: Bamako Today

by James Nadal
February 4, 2015

While most musicians have the convenience of being in a relaxed atmosphere while preparing to produce a record, this was not the situation for the members of the BKO Quintet. Amidst the revolutionary turmoil which embroiled Mali in late 2012 to the brink of civil war, they maintained focused on their musical endeavor, albeit with a warranted sense of urgency, until with the proper visas and connections they were able to fly to France to produce Bamako Today. Though it ...

Jeff Babko: Mondo Trio

by Ian Patterson
July 8, 2007

Stepping out of the confines of the house-band on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live Show, keyboardist Jeff Babko recruits drumming legend Vinnie Colaiuta and Bela Fleck's saxophonist Jeff Coffin to record Mondo Trio,(Abstract Logix, 2007) his first effort as leader. The nine original tunes deftly mix up elements of prog-rock/fusion, funk, plus jazz, and it makes for absorbing listening.

There is a touch of early '70s Zappa about “Head Trauma, with keyboard and sax laying down a grinding riff ...

Jeff Babko: Mondo Trio

by Glenn Astarita
May 25, 2007

These eminent session gurus roll up their sleeves and let the good times roll on this power-packed and rather idiosyncratic studio session. Multifaceted keyboard artist Jeff Babko pulls out the proverbial stops here with saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Béla Fleck & The Flecktones) and all-universe drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Nonetheless, the musicians let their respective chops fly during a conglomerate of hammering sax and keys jaunts amid a smattering of free-form episodes and much more.

Swap out the guitar element ...

Jeff Babko: Mondo Trio

by John Kelman
May 15, 2007

Like other Los Angeles musicians who spend a lot of time as guns-for-hire, keyboardist Jeff Babko may not be a name you'll recognize, but chances are you've heard him. Whether it's with the house band of ABC's The Jimmy Kimmel Show, touring with Robben Ford or James Taylor, or recording with Larry Carlton or Tim McGraw, Babko is a true musical chameleon. So what does a well-rounded player like Babko do when left to his own designs? Mondo Trio may ...