John Daversa Podcast - Jeff Babko: Keyboardist, Musical Director, Producer, Composer, Arranger, (Jimmy Kimmel, Toto, James Taylor, Steve Gadd, Sheryl Crow, Martin Short, and more!)

Jeff Babko: Keyboardist, Musical Director, Producer, Composer, Arranger, (Jimmy Kimmel, Toto, James Taylor, Steve Gadd, Sheryl Crow, Martin Short, and more!)

02/11/25 • 56 min

Episode 13: Jeff Babko, Keyboardist, Musical Director, Producer, Composer, Arranger, (Jimmy Kimmel, Toto, James Taylor, Steve Gadd, Sheryl Crow, Martin Short, and more!)

►Jeff Babko website: https://www.jeffbabko.com
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
1:56: Back at University of Miami

4:26: Vinyl collection

6:06: How do manage consuming music?

10:55: 1990’s Jazz fusion, the young lions, and the gig with Julio Iglesias

19:05: Joining drummer/producer Simon Phillips

22:00: Work ethic, discipline, details, and the love...

27:55: Robben Ford, Toshi Yanagi, blue hair, and auditioning for the Martin Short Show

32:55: The Wayne Brady Show, touring with Marty Short and Wayne Brady, and joining the Jimmy Kimmel Show. “Everyone working is a good thing”.

36:12: Navigating tours with Toto, James Tayler, Steve Gadd, Steely Dan, Steve Martin and Martin Short, while playing the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

38:27: The character of the comedic accompanist

41:06: Julio Iglesias story (and the “wrong notes”). Be aware, read the situation.

44:37: What’s coming next? Managing finances

47:37: Transitioning into the role of the “seasoned veteran”, and mentor.

51:16: Jeff and John play some D dorian model duo...

Video Capture: Max Nierlich

Audio Capture: Jake Sonderman

Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang

Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman

Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, March 1, 2024
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)

#jeffbabko #jazzpiano #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast #jazzpodcast #jazzeducator #jimmykimmelshow

Support the show

►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman
Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang
Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"

All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)

Episode 13: Jeff Babko, Keyboardist, Musical Director, Producer, Composer, Arranger, (Jimmy Kimmel, Toto, James Taylor, Steve Gadd, Sheryl Crow, Martin Short, and more!)

►Jeff Babko website: https://www.jeffbabko.com
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
1:56: Back at University of Miami

4:26: Vinyl collection

6:06: How do manage consuming music?

10:55: 1990’s Jazz fusion, the young lions, and the gig with Julio Iglesias

19:05: Joining drummer/producer Simon Phillips

22:00: Work ethic, discipline, details, and the love...

27:55: Robben Ford, Toshi Yanagi, blue hair, and auditioning for the Martin Short Show

32:55: The Wayne Brady Show, touring with Marty Short and Wayne Brady, and joining the Jimmy Kimmel Show. “Everyone working is a good thing”.

36:12: Navigating tours with Toto, James Tayler, Steve Gadd, Steely Dan, Steve Martin and Martin Short, while playing the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

38:27: The character of the comedic accompanist

41:06: Julio Iglesias story (and the “wrong notes”). Be aware, read the situation.

44:37: What’s coming next? Managing finances

47:37: Transitioning into the role of the “seasoned veteran”, and mentor.

51:16: Jeff and John play some D dorian model duo...

Video Capture: Max Nierlich

Audio Capture: Jake Sonderman

Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang

Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman

#jeffbabko #jazzpiano #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast #jazzpodcast #jazzeducator #jimmykimmelshow

Support the show

All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)

Previous Episode

Bob Sheppard: Renowned Jazz Artist and Educator

Episode 12: A conversation with renowned jazz artist and educator, Bob Sheppard

►Bob Sheppard website: https://www.bobsheppard.net
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
1:33 – Playing with the JD Big Band
2:15 – Bob’s studio and cultivating a creative community in Los Angeles
14:15 –Being on the scene, practicing, merit, and the social scene...
27:50 – Thoughts and observations about practicing
37:15 – Recording work in L.A.
40:10 – Teaching, curiosity, sound, trying different equipment, and practicing the ends of notes
56:43 – Truth telling and caring for students.
59:15 – Playing with Freddie Hubbard
1:18:26– Bob and John play a little free duo.

►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video Capture: Max Nierlich
Audio Capture: Jake Sonderman
Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang
Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman

Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, February 28, 2024
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)

#bobsheppard #jazzsaxophone #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast #jazzpodcast #jazzeducator

Support the show

All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)

Next Episode

Marcus Miller: Grammy-Award Winning Multi-Instrumentalist, Producer, Composer, and Music Icon

Episode 14: Grammy-Award Winning Multi-Instrumentalist, Producer, Composer, and Music Icon, Marcus Miller

►Marcus Miller website: https://www.marcusmiller.com
►Key Moments:

0:00 - Introductions

1:49: John’s “Fat Time” car accident story

3:21: Producing Miles Davis’ Tutu, Siesta, and Amandla and more...

19:40: The bass clarinet

23:20: Miles Davis mentorship

33:55: The recording of Grover Washington Jr.’s “Just the Two of Us”

38:30: The recording of Donald Fagen’s “The Nightfly”

42:10: Luther Vandross

48:30: Scoring for films

55:55: The acoustic bass

56:55: Wynton Kelly

57:18: Funk and Fusion, and “you gotta learn jazz”

1:01:47: The Jazz Cruises and communicating with audiences.

1:07:42: “What are you excited about now?”

Video Capture: Max Nierlich

Audio Capture: Jake Sonderman

Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang
Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman

Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, March 4, 2024
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)

#marcusmiller #electricbass #filmscore #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast #jazzpodcast #jazzeducator #amandla #thenightfly “justthetwoofus #milesdavis

Support the show

All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)