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Born in New York City, Jeff was a professional accordionist who had already performed at Carnegie Hall that switched to playing plectrum banjo in 1968. He was leader of the Rush Street Band for 13 years and was a regular banjoist at the famed Red Onion. He played at other metropolitan New York area clubs such as the Banjo Inn, Chester's, the Golden Banjo, The Bourbon Barrel, Calamity Jane's, and with other groups such as The New Orleans Nighthawks, and the Smith Street Society, and was the regular partner with stride pianist George Holmes who grew up, literally, on the piano bench next to Fat's Waller.
He worked with notables Ed Sullivan, Jerry Lewis, and Sammy Davis Jr. in the banjo busy 70's. His dentist career removed him from playing professionally for 15 years, during which he would play only sporadically. He returned to playing regularly again 8 years ago, balancing his dental and musical life and now leads the Ragtime Razcals of New England and the Razcals Jazz Band. He has worked with other New England groups including the State Street Traditional Band, the Clam Flat Five, the Classic Jazz Band, and the Ambassadors, and is now the regular banjoist with the notable and respected Royal River Philharmonic Jazz Band. He is seen again performing throughout the northeast.
He has recently completed projects for Public Television and Radio, and his concerts have appeared on many TV specials in the New England area. He attends as many jazz and banjo conventions as his schedule will allow. Besides his banjo work, Jeff has rekindled his musical endeavors and is again playing accordion, piano, and guitar in various musical venues. Banjo, however, still remains his favorite. |
