Jeff Bordes

Performing with Beats Antique!

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:08:09 +0000

I’m excited to announce a new gig on the calendar. On Friday, March 30th, I’ll be performing again with Oakland’s BEATS ANTIQUE! Usually once or twice a year, this 4-piece expands into a large ensemble made up of some of the Bay Area’s best musicians. Last year, we sold out the Fillmore, and two years ago we played 2 back-to-back sold out nights at The Independent.

They’re getting the all-star band back together for a live CD & DVD recording at The Fox Theater in Oakland. This will be an amazing night you won’t want to miss! So excited to join my friends again in such an amazing room!

Thank You 2011!

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:51:41 +0000

Today’s the last day of 2011. As we move into 2012, I am very thankful for what 2011 has brought and look forward to more accomplishments in 2012. I’ve already started dreaming up new projects, new goals and direction I want to take in the New Year.

2011 brought a year of many new friendships and amazing shows:

Here’s my 2011 Highs in Music:

Two amazing shows with The Josh Ritter Band

- February 25th: Sold Out Show at The Fillmore SF
- August 14th: Playing the main stage at The Outside Lands Festival

Jeff Bordes & Panthelion @ The Firehouse Arts Center
A Sold Out Show at The Fillmore SF, playing with Beats Antique (March 27th)
Jeff Bordes & Friends at The Firehouse Arts Center – SOLD OUT! (December 10th)

But… most importantly, my personal 2011 High:

Natalie Rose Bordes, born June 16th 2011

Happy New Year! Wishing you an amazing 2012!

Jeff Bordes & Friends: A Jazzy Soulful Christmas

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:57:07 +0000

Wow… I had such an amazing time performing to a SOLD OUT audience at Pleasanton’s Firehouse Arts Center on Saturday, December 10th. My show, Jeff Bordes & Friends: A Jazzy-Soulful Christmas, featured some of my favorite musicians:

Jeff Bordes: Trumpet; Rick Russell: Tenor / Soprano Sax; Dave Eshelman: Trombone; Bernie Berke: Clarinet; Randy McMillan: Vibes; Ken Cefalo: Guitar / Banjo; Kevin T. White: Bass; Darren Phillips: Drums

w/ Don Lewis: Keyboards / Vocals; Zakiya Hooker: Vocals; Ffjorren Zolfaghar: Vocals; The CoolTones Big Band.

Thank you to everyone who showed up!

Here’s some pictures from the show… I’ll be posting videos soon. Enjoy!

[Show as slideshow]

December 10th’s Guest Spotlight: Don Lewis

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:45:54 +0000

In elementary school, we often had guests come to present assembly programs. These often included touring drama groups, animal handlers from the local zoo, even an actual NASA astronaut. There’s one guest in particular that I’ll never forget: a musician who played several types of keyboards. What stood out most about this guy wasn’t all the amazing sounds he generated, or the rocking version of A Space Odyssey. What I remember most was his black suit, shiny red shoes, and roles those shoes played in the performance.

The musician I’m referring to is none other then Mr. Don Lewis! And those red shoes? His feet control different sounds, mostly the bass lines like an organist would. I have no doubt, this performance I saw in 5th grade, influenced me to choose music as my path in life. I will forever be grateful for Don Lewis and the impact he has had on me and many others.

Since that year in 5th grade, I have developed a great friendship with this funky keyboardist! I grew up and played in school bands with both of his sons, and have had the honor to share the stage with him performing at various concerts in the Bay Area.

Don is an amazing musician (keyboards & vocals) and quite the showman. I am so excited to perform with him on Saturday, December 10th at The Firehouse Arts Center! You won’t want to miss this… believe me!

A little more about Don (from his website):

Don Lewis is a gifted musician and educator whose mission is to inspire and empower audiences to achieve their dreams. Don began playing piano as a Dayton, Ohio high school student. Later, at Tuskegee Institute, he accompanied and sang with the Tuskegee Chorus and played for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Freedom Rallies.

Uniting his interest in engineering with his musical talent, Don became one of the pioneers in synthesizer use and technology. In 1977, he designed and built a synthesizer system that was an inspiration for Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), now on display at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA.

Don has performed at concerts worldwide and has appeared as a soloist with many symphony orchestras. As a studio artist, he has worked with such greats as Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendez and Michael Jackson. Don has also created scores for film and television productions including the award winning Rainbows End and Were You There series featured on PBS. In addition he has composed music for commercial videos for such clients as Nissan, Pacific Telephone, and Digital Equipment Corp.

Also an enthusiastic teacher, Don has taught courses in the history of gospel music, multimedia, and synthesizer technology at University of California at Berkeley Extension, San Jose State University and Stanford University. In 1987, Don combined his love of children, education and music to create Say “Yes” to Music! Since then, he has delighted thousands of students, teachers and school administrators across the United States and Canada with his inspiring musical assemblies. Recently he has broadened his presentation and tailored it to the business community with his highly successful Creating Harmony in the Workplace seminars.

Throughout the years Don has been associated with various musical instrument manufacturers. He is pleased to be currently associated with the Roland Group as a consultant and concert artist.

December 10th, 2011: Jeff Bordes & Friends: A Jazzy Soulful Christmas @ The Firehouse Arts Center, Pleasanton, CA. Tickets available at www.firehousearts.org and at the Box Office (925.931.4848). Adults: $15, $20, $25; Children: $12; Seniors: $20

December 10th’s Guest Spotlight: Zakiya Hooker

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:08:42 +0000

I am so excited for my upcoming performance at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton. The evening has been promoted as A Jazzy Soulful Christmas at the Firehouse: Jeff Bordes & Friends featuring Zakiya Hooker, Don Lewis, and the CoolTones

As the Concert “Title” mentions, I’ll be joined onstage by some very talented musicians! I’ll use my new website as a venue to introduce you to these amazing artists.

Introducing Zakiya Hooker
On December 10th I will be joined by my good friend, blues vocalist Zakiya Hooker.

From her bio:

ZAKIYA HOOKER is quite familiar with the blues. You could even say she had a front-row seat to view the best the genre had to offer, right in her own living room. Her dad was the renowned blues giant John Lee Hooker. To be the daughter of a Living Legend is a major obstacle. To choose to follow in his footsteps is a major undertaking. But rather than relying on her father, Zakiya has pursued life — and music — on her own terms, overcoming personal tragedy and skepticism along the way. But you know what they say, “the fruit never falls too far from the tree”. This certainly rings true with Zakiya

I’ve had the pleasure of performing with her at various shows the past few years. She has such an amazing presence on stage and I know you’ll fall in love her and her music! Here’s a video from a show we did at La Bonne Vie in Tracy, CA.

We’ll be performing a couple songs from her recordings and of course, some holiday themed blues! Zakiya will have her recordings available to purchase at the Firehouse. They’ll make great Christmas gifts!