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(25 March 1966 - 2 March 2008) Biography |
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Born Norman Jeffrey Healey, in Toronto, Ontario, Healey was raised in the city's west end. He was adopted as an infant[1]; his adoptive father was a firefighter. Healey lost his sight when he was eight months old to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes. His eyes had to be surgically removed, and he was given artificial replacements. After living cancer-free for 38 years, he subsequently developed sarcoma in his legs; despite surgery for this, the sarcoma spread to his lungs and ultimately was the cause of his death.[2] He was 41, and leaves his wife, Cristie, daughter Rachel (13) and son Derek (3), as well as his father and step-mother, Bud and Rose Healey, and sisters Laura and Linda.
Healey received his first guitar at Christmas-time at the age of three. He decided to play guitar with his unique lap-top style and work out the chords and finger positions after finding the conventional way not working for him. By age six he was performing and singing. Throughout his teens, he performed in clubs and learned through listening to others.
Even as a youth, Healey had spanned nearly all the popular musical genres, playing everything from jazz, country, reggae, heavy metal, R&B, rock, and of course blues.
After attending the School for the Blind in Branford, he registered at the local Etobicoke Collegiate high school, where he played guitar and trumpet in jazz and concert bands and at the age of 17 he formed the band Blue Direction, a four-piece band which primarily played bar-band cover tunes. Among the other musicians were bassist Jeremy Littler, drummer Graydon Chapman, and a schoolmate, Rob Quail on second guitar. This band played various local clubs in Toronto, including the Colonial Tavern. However, the band did not fare well because local clubs failed to take the teenagers seriously.
Shortly thereafter he was introduced to two musicians, bassist Joe Rockman and drummer Tom Stephen, with whom he formed a trio and made their first public appearance at The Birds Nest, located upstairs at Chicago's Diner on Queen Street West in Toronto. The new band received a write-up in Toronto's NOW magazine, and quickly were playing almost nightly in local clubs such as Grossman's Tavern and the famed blues club Albert's Hall (where Jeff Healey was discovered by guitar virtuosos Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert Collins).
Healey attended music college for only a short while. In the mid-80's Jeff played second guitar in The Buzz Upshaw Band.
In 1985, Healey recorded an independent video called "Adrianna" which was played on Much Music. Adrianna can be found on rare See the Light 45's. That same year, a friend convinced legendary guitarist Albert Collins to let the 19-year-old Healey join him onstage during a Toronto club gig. An impressed Collins asked Jeff to play with him and the great Stevie Ray Vaughan only a few nights later. Healey quickly became a hot commodity.
Blues guitarist B.B. King has acknowledged his virtuoso technique when he and Healey played together at a 1986 Vancouver music festival. Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was also a close friend, said that Healey would revolutionize guitar playing.
Mention the name Jeff Healey and the word "amazing" usually pops into the conversation. Now one of the world's finest guitarists, his technical abilities command respect from his peers, and his passion transfixes audiences of all ages.
Healey's instrumental prowess is shocking. At an early age Jeff developed an unconventional lap-top technique that involves using all five fingers for fretting, hammering, and bending the strings of his Fender Stratocaster. The "lobster claw" technique allows him the use of his thumb for an extra stretch to hit unusual notes that even the most accomplished guitarist may not reach. Unconventional as this style is his artistic genius still shines through. Still, the stage antics of playing with his teeth, bending the whammy with his foot, playing over his head, and smashing his guitar is in the true legendary styles of Hendrix and Vaughan.
What makes Jeff different from other blues-rockers is also what keeps some listeners from accepting him as anything other than a novelty. Contrary to what Canadian music producers told the band in their early days, it had been said in some circles that his playing style is merely a gimmick - that if he did not perform this way he would not be as "popular".
Jeff doesn't think of himself as a "rock" or "blues" musician, but thinks of himself simply as a musician -- period.
Some fans of Healey may be surprised or shocked to find out that jazz is Healey's first and true love. As an accomplished trumpet player, he has performed many times with local Toronto acts such as Tyler Yarema, Alex Pangman, and the Hot Five Jazzmakers, also making an appearance in 1998's Toronto Jazz Festival; and they were pleased to have him.
He has an old Gibson acoustic guitar he uses for jazz gigs at Toronto's C'est What Jazz Club when he performs with The Hot Five Jazzmakers, which is said to be "one of Canada's most accomplished bands playing traditional, golden era jazz."
Jeff compiled his favorite jazz music on the first volume of the "Body & Soul Chronicle (80 Years of RCA Victor Jazz)" in which he also wrote the extremely informative and interesting text on the CD insert. Furthermore, he produced a triple-CD set called "Louis With Fletcher Henderson", a compilation of Louis Armstrong's music.
Jeff Healey has been collecting old jazz and swing recordings for over two decades. His library now consists of over 22,000+ recordings dating from 1917 through 1942.
In 1988, Jeff began hosting his own national radio show on the CBC called My Kinda Jazz, featuring songs from his enormous classic collection of 78s and CD reissues of jazz greats from early in the century. It was intended as only a one-time event. Yet, in 1991 the show went national and Healey recorded seven one-hour programs featuring early jazz from his personal collection and anyone he could borrow from.
The listener response to his program was overwhelming. Radio audiences were fascinated with the music, and responded well to the warmth of Healey's presence and the enthusiasm he displayed for the jazz of the 20s and 30s. Since listeners demanded more, Healey prepared more series to follow. After a lengthy hiatus My Kinda Jazz was brought back in 2000. It is unknown how long the series will last.
Whether you know his name from the Jeff Healey Band, the annual Jeff Healey Golf Tournament or a number of other projects that keep him busy, you know that this guitar virtuoso is a well-rounded and first-class act all the way.
After being signed to Arista Records in 1988, the band released the album See The Light, featuring the hit single "Angel Eyes" and the song "Hideaway", which was nominated for a "Best Instrumental" Grammy Award. While the band was recording See The Light, they were also filming (and recording for the soundtrack of) the Patrick Swayze film Road House. In 1990 the band won the "Entertainer of the Year" Juno Award. Other hits have included "How Long Can a Man Be Strong" and a cover of The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (which also featured George Harrison and Jeff Lynne on backing vocals and acoustic guitar).
1999 put Healey further into the jazz genre spotlight when his guitar and trumpet work is featured on Alex Pangman's "They Say" CD. Jeff promotes the release through his Sensation label.
By the release of the 2000 album, Get Me Some Healey had grown weary of the world of rock music, and began to concentrate his considerable talents in a direction closer to his heart, hot jazz.
He went on to release three CDs of music from this true passion, traditional American jazz from the 1920s and 1930s. He was an avid record collector and amassed a collection of well over 30,000 78 rpm records and he had been sitting in with traditional jazz bands around Toronto since the beginning of his music career. Though known primarily as a guitarist, Healey also played trumpet during live performances.
Healey had, from time to time, hosted a CBC Radio program entitled My Kind of Jazz, in which he played records from his vast vintage jazz collection. He hosted a program with a similar name on Toronto jazz station CJRT-FM, also known as JAZZ.FM91.
He had also been touring with his other group, 'The Jazz Wizards', playing the aforementioned American 'hot' jazz. At the time of his death, they had been planning to perform a series of shows in Britain, Germany and Holland in April 2008.
For many years Healey performed at his club, Healey's on Bathurst Street in Toronto, where he played with a rock band on Thursday nights, and with his jazz group, on Saturday afternoons. The club moved to a bigger location at 56 Blue Jays Way and it was rechristened Jeff Healey's Roadhouse. (Though he had lent his name and often played there, Jeff Healey did not own or manage the bar.)
Over the years he toured and sat-in with many legendary performers, including, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, BB King, ZZ Top, Steve Lukather, Eric Clapton and many, many more. In 2006, Healey appeared on Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan's CD/DVD Gillan's Inn.
Healey discovered and helped develop the careers of other artists, including Amanda Marshall and Terra Hazelton.
On January 11, 2007, Healey underwent surgery to remove metastatic tissue from both lungs. In the previous eighteen months he had two sarcomas removed from his legs.[3]
After his appearance in the movie Road House, he was signed to Arista records, and in 1988 released the Grammy-nominated album See the Light, which included a major hit single, Angel Eyes. He earned a Juno Award in 1990 as Entertainer of the Year.
Two more albums emerged on Arista, with lessening success as the ’90s passed. Various “best-of” and live packages were released, and he recorded two more rock albums, before turning to his real love, classic American jazz from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s.
By then, however, Healey was an internationally-known star who had played with dozens of musicians, including B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and recorded with George Harrison. Mark Knopfler and the late blues legend, Jimmy Rogers.
A family man with a three-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter he preferred to stay close to home. “I’ve traveled widely before - been there and done that,” he told friends, determined to avoid the lengthy, exhausting tours that marked his life in his twenties and early thirties.
A long-running CBC Radio series saw him in the role of disc jockey - My Kinda Jazz was a staple for a while, but in recent years he had hosted a programme with a similar name on Jazz-FM in Toronto. A highlight of his broadcasts was always the use of rare — and rarely heard — music from his 30,000-plus collection of 78-rpm records.
As his rock career wound down as the millennium came, he recorded a series of three album of early jazz, playing trumpet as well as acoustic guitar in a band he called Jeff Healey’s Jazz Wizards. The most recent was It’s Tight Like That, recorded live at Hugh’s Room in Toronto in 2005, with British jazz legend Chris Barber as guest star.
At the time of his death he was about to see the release of his first rock/blues album in eight years, Mess of Blues, which is being released in Europe on March 20, 2008 and in Canada and the U.S. on April 22. The album was the result of a joint agreement between the German label, Ruf Records, and Stony Plain, the independent Edmonton-based label that has released his three jazz CDs.
Mess of Blues was recorded in studios in Toronto, with two cuts recorded at the Jeff Healey’s Roadhouse in Toronto and two at a concert in London England. The backup group on the upcoming CD - the Healey’s House Band - played with him regularly at the downtown Roadhouse, and at a previous club bearing his name in the Queen-Bathurst area.
Despite his battle with cancer, he undertook frequent tours across Canada with both his blues-based band and his jazz group; he was set for a major tour in Germany and the U.K. and was to be a guest on the BBC’s famed Jools Holland Show in April.
Remembered by his musicians - and his audiences - for his wry sense of humour as well as his musical playfulness, Healey was a unique musician who bridged different genres with ease and assurance.
Jeff Healey: vocals, lead guitar
Tom Stephen: drums
Joe Rockman: bass
Standard Albums
Compilations
Singles
Imports
DVD's
Jeff Healey's debut album See the Light may be similar to Stevie Ray Vaughan's high-octane blues-rock, but in blues and blues-rock, it's often the little things that count, such as guitar styles, and there's no denying that Healey has a distinctive style. Healey plays his Stratocaster flat on his lap, allowing him to perform unusual long stretches that give his otherwise fairly predictable music real heart and unpredictability. Throughout the album, his guitar work keeps things interesting, even on slow ballads like "Angel Eyes" (one of two John Hiatt songs, by the way, along with the ripping "Confidence Man"). That's what keeps See the Light interesting, and it's what makes it an intriguing, promising debut. Unfortunately, Healey has never quite fulfilled that promise, but it's still exciting to hear the first flowerings of his talent. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide CreditsPaul Dieter (Assistant Engineer), Pat Lennon (Vocals), Greg Ladanyi (Mixing), Timothy B. Schmit (Vocals (Background)), Bobbye Hall (Percussion), Michael Lennon (Vocals), Joe Rockman (Bass), Mark Lennon (Vocals (Background)), Thom Panunzio (Engineer), Joe Rockman (Guitar (Bass)), Robbie Blunt (Guitar), Ron Lewter (Mastering), Michael Lennon (Vocals (Background)), Marilyn Martin (Vocals (Background)), Maude Gilman (Art Direction), Jeff Healey (Harmonica), Kipp Lennon (Vocals (Background)), Greg Ladanyi (Engineer), Joe Rockman (Vocals), Greg Ladanyi (Producer), Mark Lennon (Vocals), Jimmy Iovine (Producer), Doug Sax (Mastering), Thom Panunzio (Associate Producer), Tom Stephen (Drums), Timothy B. Schmit (Vocals), Sharon Rice (Assistant Engineer), Joe Rockman (Vocals (Background)), Pat Lennon (Vocals (Background)), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Kipp Lennon (Vocals), Thom Panunzio (Mixing), Debbie Sommer (Assistant Producer), Benmont Tench (Keyboards), Duane Seykora (Assistant Engineer), Darius Anthony (Photography), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Marilyn Martin (Vocals), Thom Panunzio (Producer) Personnel
Production
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A solid follow-up to Healey's impressive debut, Hell To Pay features some of the guitarist's hottest playing to date. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide CreditsJeff Healey (Vocals), Maude Gilman (Art Direction), Kathleen Dyson (Vocals (Background)), Bobby Whitlock (Organ (Hammond)), Paul Shaffer (Keyboards), Ed Stasium (Producer), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Joe Rockman (Vocals (Background)), Tom Stephen (Drums), Mark Knopfler (Vocals (Background)), Paul Hamingson (Engineer), George Harrison (Vocals (Background)), Dimo Safari (Photography), Michael White (Assistant Engineer), Jeff Lynne (Guitar (Acoustic)), Paul Hamingson (Assistant Engineer), George Harrison (Guitar (Acoustic)), Joe Rockman (Guitar (Bass)), Sass Jordan (Vocals (Background)), Simon Pressey (Assistant Engineer), Mark Knopfler (Guitar), Ed Stasium (Mixing), Jeff Lynne (Vocals (Background)) PersonnelJeff Healey (vocals, guitar); Joe Rockman (bass, vocals); Also: Tom Stephen (drums). Producer Ed Stasium Engineer Paul Hammingson |
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Third time up for sightless guitar wunderkid Jeff Healey and gang; Feel This offers the power trio's meatiest and most satisfying outing. JHB's brand of roadhouse rock can be somewhat bland on disc; here the group captures much more of its trademark live intensity than in the past. The unobtrusive addition of keyboards adds a more expansive dimension to several tracks. Boogie fans will want to check out the ZZ Top-like "Cruel Little Number"; blues-rockers will come away satisfied with the likes of "House That Love Built." Hip-hop connoisseurs, on the other hand, will likely want to avoid JHB's rap spoof on "If You Can't Feel Anything Else." ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide CreditsDawna Zeeman (Handclapping), David "Doomsday" Stinson (Assistant), Sharron Robert (Handclapping), Joe Hardy (Producer), The Jeff Healey Band (Producer), Richard Chycki (Dobro), Joe Rockman (Guitar (Bass)), Mitchell Cohen (A&R), Mischke (Vocals (Background)), Warren "Wiggy" Toll (Vocals (Background)), Tom Stephen (Drums), Joe Hardy (Percussion), Hugh Syme (Design), Molly Johnson (Vocals (Background)), Tom Stephen (Art Direction), Joe Hardy (Mixing), Joe Hardy (Engineer), Amanda Marshall (Vocals (Background)), Richard Chycki (Handclapping), Richard Chycki (Assistant Engineer), Sharron Robert (Vocals (Background)), Jeff Katz (Photography), Patricia Worrall (Handclapping), George Marino (Mastering), Dawna Zeeman (Vocals (Background)), Joe Rockman (Vocals (Background)), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Patricia Worrall (Vocals (Background)), Warren "Wiggy" Toll (Handclapping), Mimi Jamison (Vocals (Background)), Richard Chycki (Vocals (Background)), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Tom Stephen (Vocals (Background)), Jimi Jamison (Vocals (Background)), David "Doomsday" Stinson (Assistant Engineer), Washington Savage (Keyboards), Paul Shaffer (Keyboards), Tom Stephen (Design), Joe Hardy (Keyboards), Hugh Syme (Art Direction), John, Jr. (Rap) |
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One likes the covers concept espoused by blues-rockers The Jeff Healey Band in a kind of backhanded way: as much as one admires the chops displayed by Toronto's blind guitarist whiz-kid, the group's songwriting is somewhat lyric-challenged. Cover to Cover works to circumvent the combo's main limitations. The disc kicks off in grand style with a dramatic, original instrumental reading of The Yardbird's "Shapes of Things." A pair of Hendrix numbers ("Freedom," "Angel") chalks up to unfortunate typecasting for Healey. Some inclusions (try the Stealer's Wheel chestnut "Stuck in the Middle with You") are bland vanilla throwaways. Still others, namely Spirit's "I Got a Line on You," sends one running back to the original versions. Mind you, if any of these point new listeners in the direction of the original, then a valuable public service has been performed. ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide CreditsJohn Popper (Harmonica), Rick Lazar (Percussion), Thom Panunzio (Producer), Angela Skouras (Art Direction), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Paul Shaffer (Keyboards), Greg Calbi (Mastering), Ronnie Rivera (Engineer), Thom Panunzio (Mixing), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Roy Bittan (Keyboards), Mark Lennon (Vocals (Background)), Barry Wentzell (Photography), Glen Marchese (Engineer), Jeff Healey (Bass), Mischke (Vocals (Background)), Amanda Marshall (Vocals (Background)), Joe Rockman (Bass), Angela Skouras (Artwork), Art Avalos (Percussion), Tom Stephen (Drums), Richard Chycki (Engineer), Jeff Healey (Producer), Pat Rush (Guitar), Ed Krautner (Engineer), Roy Lott (Executive Producer), Chad Munsey (Engineer), The Jeff Healey Band (Performer) |
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Over ten years into his recording career, singer/guitarist Jeff Healey continues to churn out rockin' blues -- especially on his 2000 release, Get Me Some. Not a lot has changed over the years -- Healey still specializes in a melodic form of blues-rock that would sound perfect on mainstream rock radio -- or in the follow-up to Roadhouse (if Patrick Swayze decided to revisit his ass-kicking Dalton character). The classic Jeff Healey sound/approach can be heard throughout -- especially on such up-tempo ditties as the album-opening "Which One" and "My Life Story," while also taking it down a notch on the Allman Brothers-esque "Macon Georgia Blue" and the guitar/vocal album-closer, "Rachel's Song." Get Me Some is exactly what you'd expect to hear from a new Healey studio album. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide CreditsArnold Lanni (Guitar), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Marti Frederiksen (Producer), Richard Chycki (Percussion), Jeff Healey (Guitar (Electric)), Garnet Armstrong (Art Direction), Philip Sayce (Guitar), Tom Stephen (Percussion), Greg Calbi (Mastering), Richard Chycki (Mixing), Richard Chycki (Engineer), Marti Frederiksen (Percussion), Tom Stephen (Executive Producer), Jeff Healey (Vocals (Background)), Tom Stephen (Drums), Lou Pomanti (Keyboards), Jim Scott (Mixing), Jeff Healey (Piano), Marti Frederiksen (Digital Editing), Jeff Healey (Guitar (Acoustic)), Arnold Lanni (Producer), Richard Chycki (Digital Editing), Richard Chycki (Guitar (Rhythm)), Joe Rockman (Bass), Marti Frederiksen (Guitar), The Jeff Healey Band (Producer), Marti Frederiksen (Guitar (12 String)), Lou Pomanti (Piano), Marti Frederiksen (Vocals (Background)), Benmont Tench (Keyboards), Jim Scott (Engineer), Ken Johnson (Art Direction), Margaret Malandruccolo (Photography)
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With 2002's Among Friends, Jeff Healey brought his passion for traditional jazz -- the driving dance band blues-based jazz of the 1920s and early '30s -- into the studio. The album was issued in Canada only and was followed by the live It's Tight Like That with Chris Barber in 2005, and Adventures in Jazzland in 2006. Healey, known widely for his burning, lap style brand of electric blues does play electric guitar here, but he plays far differently than on any of his previous recordings. He also plays his second instrument of choice, the trumpet. And while he may not win any Downbeat polls, it hardly matters to him. His passion for this music is lifelong, and one can hear in his delivery as a singer the influences of everyone from Louis Armstrong to Jack Teagarden, though he is way more raggedy and doesn't have his phrasing down at all. But again, that's just fine for what this is. Among Friends also features trumpeter Dick Sudhalter, trombonists Danny Douglas and Jim Shepherd, saxophonist Chris Plock on both soprano and tenor, and John R.T. Davies on alto, Reide Kaiser on piano, and upright bassist Colin Bray. There are differing ensembles here depending on the material, which ranges from the wild and woolly "Bright Eyes," to Frank Loesser's "I Wish I Were Twins," to Sammy Kahn's "I'll See You in My Dreams," to "Limehouse Blues," to Earl Hines' "Blues in Thirds." Healey's not looking for anything but the feel of the music he loves. It's raw, raucous, fun and there's plenty of soul in his delivery as a vocalist. The jazz snobs would decry this, but Healey's not aiming to please; he's enjoying himself and that's obvious here. That said, his intention is made plain to the listener, and one cannot help but feel the infectious joy that comes from these grooves. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide CreditsClint Rogerson (Design), Roberto Rosenman (Guitar), Tomaz Jardim (Guitar (Acoustic)), Jesse Barksdale (Guitar), Clint Rogerson (Layout Design), Jim Shepherd (Trombone), Reide Kaiser (Piano), Jeff Healey (Guitar (Electric)), Dick Sudhalter (Trumpet), Jeff Healey (Trumpet), Roberto Rosenman (Solo Coordinator), John R.T. Davies (Sax (Alto)), Ross Woolridge (Piano), Dan Hamilton (Photography), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Inder Marwah (Guitar (Rhythm)), Dick Sudhalter (Flugelhorn), Nick Pitt (Executive Producer), Holger Petersen (Reissue Producer), Ross Woolridge (Clarinet), Tomaz Jardim (Guitar (Rhythm)), Jeff Healey (Liner Notes), Chris Plock (Sax (Soprano)), Jeff Healey (Producer), Jesse Barksdale (Soloist), Jesse Barksdale (Guitar (Acoustic)), Chris Plock (Sax (Tenor)), Colin Bray (String Bass), John R.T. Davies (Cornopean), Jeff Healey (Vocals) |
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Jeff Healey's second studio foray into the traditional jazz of the 1920s and '30s is more ambitious than his first (Among Friends, recorded in 2002), and as a result is a more "serious" affair musically, though the same riotous joy is present here. The core of the same players return with bassist Colin Bray, pianist Reide Kaiser, and saxophonist Chris Plock (on both soprano and tenor); newcomers include guitarist Jesse Barksdale, clarinetist Dan Levinson, guitarist Marty Grosz, bass saxophonist Vince Giordano, cornetist Tom Pletcher, and (making appearances on two cuts) violinist Drew Jurecka. Healey's plan here is much more sophisticated than on Among Friends, and this was displayed on his live outing It's Tight Like That with Chris Barber. Healey's guitar playing, while not as wildly solo-conscious as on his blues-rock recordings, is swinging, taut, and precise. He can hang with anyone doing this music. As a trumpet player, he has improved immensely -- check him on the opener, "Bugle Call Rag" -- but try as he might, he is not Jack Teagarden as a vocalist. No problem. Another instrument has been added to Healey's arsenal here in the valve trombone, which he plays on "Emaline" and "Indiana." The sound on this record is notable for its live gritty quality. There is the live presence here that makes it all a seamless party, though the sessions were recorded over a period of time and there is overdubbing. In addition to a stellar band and a killer mix, the tune selection is impeccable, with Elmer Schoebel's "I Never Knew What a Gal Could Do," John Golden and Ray Hubbell's "Poor Butterfly," and the stompers like "Bugle Call Rag" and "You're Driving Me Crazy." All of this said, as fine as this disc is, and it's a winner top to bottom, it makes one long to see this all pulled off live, as Healey has been touring a bit with his Jazz Wizards ensemble. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide CreditsJesse Barksdale (Guitar), Jeff Healey (Editing), Jeff Healey (Mixing), Jeff Healey (Trombone (Valve)), Marty Grosz (Guitar), Jeff Healey (Soloist), Reide Kaiser (Piano), Dan Levinson (Clarinet), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Tom Pletcher (Cornet), Andy Krehm (Mastering), Jeff Healey (Trumpet), Jeff Healey (Liner Notes), Alec Fraser (Engineer), Colin Bray (Bass), Drew Jurecka (Violin), Jesse Barksdale (Guitar (Rhythm)), Jeff Healey (Guitar (Rhythm)), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Dan Levinson (Sax (C-Melody))
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The Jeff Healey Band has made several appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival, including this 1999 performance, which is now available on CD for the first time. Featuring 12 songs from their explosive set, the band (Healey, Joe Rockman on bass, Pat Rush on guitar, and Tom Stephen on drums) whips the crowd into a frenzy with a blues jam for the ages. Included in this remarkable set are hits "I Think I Love You Too Much", their cover of THE DOORS’ "Roadhouse Blues", "See The Light", and their US Top 10 smash "Angel Eyes"! Canada's Jeff Healey burst on the scene in the late '80s with a pair of John Hiatt songs, "Angel Eyes" and "Confidence Man," drawing a good deal of attention for his unique laptop electric guitar style. A turn in the Patrick Swayze movie Roadhouse playing a down-and-dirty version of the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" also boosted Healey's profile, but although the blind guitarist is obviously a special and gifted player, his style and approach haven't changed one bit since, which is a good thing if you love what he does, but it makes most of his releases after the impressive debut album, See the Light, seem a bit like reruns. This live set recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1999 (two tracks, a cover of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and the Healey original "That's What They Say," are from a Montreux appearance two years earlier in 1997) likewise features few surprises, although Healey has added a second guitarist (Philip Sayce for the two 1997 cuts and Pat Rush for the 1999 set) to his longtime rhythm section of Joe Rockman on bass and Tom Stephen on drums. Healey's leads on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" amp the song up in all the right places, and he brings out the inherent heaviness in another Beatles tune, John Lennon's "Yer Blues." He breaks a string in the middle of "Roadhouse Blues," which is a bit like watching a NASCAR driver throw a wheel -- you don't want to see it happen, but it definitely makes things interesting. A chugging version of Robert Johnson's "Stop Breakin' Down" is a clear highlight. In the end, Healey and his band turn out solid, professional blues-rock, the kind of thing you'd expect from a top-notch bar band, and Healey is undeniably exciting as a lead player, but it all seems a bit caught up in a 1980s time warp. It would be nice to hear Healey expand his core sound a little with some soul or funk, say, or maybe go in the other direction and cover the Charley Patton songbook -- anything to add some freshness. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide CreditsClaude Nobs (Executive Producer), Pat Rush (Guitar), Michael Heatley (Liner Notes), Joe Rockman (Bass), Philip Sayce (Guitar), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Tom Stephen (Drums) |
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Canadian Jeff Healey burst on the rock scene in the '80s with a unique lap-style electric guitar approach that became codified when he and his band appeared in the movie Road House. Listeners approaching It's Tight Like That expecting more of that trademark blues-rock are going to be mighty surprised, however, because Healey has not only changed the kind of music he plays here, he has even changed the instrument he plays. Oh, he plays some guitar on this new album, but in the past few years Healey has taught himself the trumpet, and that's the dominant instrument here, for It's Tight Like That is an album of classic '20s and '30s jazz. This isn't a passing fad for Healey, either. He's been a vintage jazz buff for years, and has hosted his own jazz show on CBC Radio called My Kind of Jazz for awhile now, and has released two previous jazz albums on his own HealeyOphonic imprint, 2002's Among Friends and 2004's Adventures in Jazzland. Healey still plays occasional shows in the old blues-rock style (he's no fool and knows full well what put him on the map), but most of his gigs are now with the Jazz Wizards, a group which features violin, guitar, piano, bass, and drums, and plenty of Healey on trumpet. It's Tight Like That was recorded with the Jazz Wizards live over two nights at Hugh's Room in Toronto (two additional tracks, "Little Girl" and "Sheik of Araby" were recorded at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2005) with veteran British jazz trombonist Chris Barber sitting in, and the results are an exuberant blast of traditional jazz, with no trace of rock in sight and no slashing electric guitar slide runs, either. It should be noted that while Healey certainly holds his own on trumpet here, he's no Louis Armstrong, but then Healey himself already fully knows that. He's obviously having fun and playing music he loves. Highlights include a lusty take on Sam Coslow and W. Frank Harling's "Sing You Sinners," voiced by Healey, a feisty version of Bessie Smith's "Keep It to Yourself," sung by Terra Hazelton, and an impressive "Basin Street Blues," written by Spencer Williams and made famous by Louis Armstrong. Barber's vocal, which sounds eerily like the vocal style of another pretty darn good trombonist, Jack Teagarden (who turned "Basin Street Blues" into one of his own signature songs), makes it the album's standout track. Who knows if Healey's old blues-rock fan base will follow him over to the jazz side -- a guess would be they won't, since he isn't playing as much guitar -- but he may well pick up a whole new group of fans with this style of upbeat jazz. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide CreditsJeff Healey (Audio Production), Chris Barber (Guest Appearance), Alec Fraser (Engineer), Mark Dutton (Cover Design), Drew Jurecka (Violin), Jeff Healey (Producer), Richard Flohil (Liner Notes), Christopher Plock (Soprano (Vocal)), Holger Petersen (Executive Producer), Christopher Plock (Clarinet), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Christopher Plock (Sax (Alto)), Chris Barber (Trombone), Andy Krehm (Mastering), Colin Bray (Bass), Chris Barber (Vocals), Jesse Barksdale (Guitar), Jesse Barksdale (Guitar), Jeff Healey (Trumpet) |
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Personnel: Jeff Healey (vocals, guitar); Dan Noordermeer (vocals, guitar); Alec Fraser (acoustic guitar, bass guitar); Dave Murphy (keyboards); Al Webster (drums); Holger Peterson (background vocals) Appropriately, Mess Of Blues kicks off with a pair of live tracks, including a scorching reading of Sonny Thompson's "I'm Torn Down," replete with Healey's trademark fretbending and gruff, smoky vocals. Throw in some tasty honky-tonk piano-bashing by Murphy, and a swinging soundtrack, and you have a fine example of rockin' roadhouse blues. The classic "How Blue Can You Get" follows, slowing down things a bit, showcasing Healey's fluid, jazz-influenced licks wrapped around a swaggering rhythm and Murphy's soulful keyboard leads. "Sugar Sweet" is another rollicking blues-rock number, choogling along on a steady rhythm guitar riff, sureshot drumbeats, and Murphy's deft keyboard work, on top of which Healey lays down a couple of explosive leads. Bassist Fraser takes the microphone for a spirited romp through the Hank classic "Jambalaya," the festive arrangement hammered home by some fast-paced piano. Following with the equally rootsy "The Weight," Healey and crew pay homage to the Band with a reverent performance that perfectly captures the song's reckless country soul. The Doc Pomus gem "Mess O' Blues" is provided an appropriately up-tempo, New Orleans-flavored 1950s-rock reading, Healey's vocals swaying back-and-forth to Murphy's rhythmic lead. Murphy steps up to the mic to belt out his own "It's Only Money," a rompin', stompin' manic workout that channels Jerry Lee and James Burton, with the band delivering backing vocal harmonies. A live cover of Neil Young's "Like A Hurricane" is an unexpected choice here, and a real pleasure, with Healey delivering a magnificently grungy performance. The band provides a fat, heavy sound behind Healey's transcendent vocals, which portray the song's bittersweet aching perfectly. Healey's fretwork soars throughout the song, short shocks of emotion subtly accented by Murphy's nuanced keyboard hum and Noordermeer's rhythmic drone. Another live performance, of the blues treasure "Sittin' On Top Of The World," is a handsome mix of smooth, classic, Chicago-style blues and raucous, Brit-styled blues-rock. A potent, distorted riff supports the chorus, Al Webster lays down some fine drum fills, and Murphy's boogie-woogie-flavored keyboard-dancing runs off the tracks somewhere behind the twin guitar strum. Mess Of Blues closes out with a high-octane performance of "Shake, Rattle And Roll," with a little rough-around-the-edges slash-and-burn six-string thrown into the mix to lively things up a bit. CreditsAl Webster (Drums), Jeff Healey (Producer), Alec Fraser (Guitar (Acoustic)), Andrew Tulloch (Engineer), Norm Barker (Engineer), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Debbie Murphy (House Sound), Jim Hurst (Engineer), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Holger Petersen (Vocals (Background)), Alec Fraser (Producer), Alec Fraser (Mixing), Dan Noordermeer (Guitar), Jeff Healey (Liner Notes), Richard Uglow (Engineer), Michael Van Merwyk (Artwork), Alec Fraser (Vocals), Tom Jardin (Engineer), Dan Noordermeer (Vocals), Alec Fraser (Bass) |
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Arista celebrated its 30th anniversary by releasing The Heritage Series, spotlighting the most popular artists on the label. The Jeff Healey installment in The Heritage Series is pretty much a straight hits collection, featuring highlights from his stint at the label. While he was at Arista, he achieved the peak of his popularity with such radio hits as "Confidence Man," "Angel Eyes," "See the Light," "I Think I Love You Too Much" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." All those songs are here, along with some highlights from his albums, providing a nice retrospective of his time with Arista. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Credits Greg Ladanyi (Producer), Edward Odowd (Package Design), The Jeff Healey Band (Producer), Chris Athens (Mastering), Gary Pacheco (Producer), Joe Hardy (Producer), Ed Stasium (Producer) |
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Canada's Jeff Healey enjoyed success in the early '90s with a pair of flame-throwing covers of John Hiatt songs, "Angel Eyes" and"Confidence Man," both of which are included on this collection of tracks drawn from his four Arista albums. The blind guitarist's unorthodox laptop playing style, coupled with a solid rhythm section of Tom Stephen on drums and Joe Rockman on bass, gave the songs a bluesy, hard-rocking, and slightly edgy feel, a template the trio never abandoned, and which gives this compilation a comfortable feeling of cohesion. A cover of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" works well here, as does a gospel-tinged take on Jimi Hendrix's "Angel." But the most affecting track may well be the album's closer, a loose-limbed, barroom romp through Big Joe Williams' "Highway 49," which just plain rocks, pure and simple. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide CreditsGretchen Brennison (Producer), Mathieu Bitton (Art Direction), Joe Hardy (Producer), John Hudson (Director), Dennis Drake (Mastering), Greg Ladanyi (Producer), Mathieu Bitton (Design), Thom Panunzio (Producer), Ed Stasium (Producer), Jeremy Holiday (Director), The Jeff Healey Band (Producer), Michael Hill (Liner Notes)
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CreditsKen Fredette (Design), Bob King (Photography), Frank Harkins (Art Direction), Doug Wygal (Compilation Producer) |
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Jeff Healey gained worldwide fame as a stunningly original rock/blues guitarist. His passion, however, was the infectious and joyful music from the classic jazz era. These stripped down Solo, Duo and Trio last sessions could be titled "The Real Jeff Healey." The material Jeff chose to record for his final jazz/swing disc shows his love for all musical styles.From swing guitar instrumentals first recorded by Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti to interpretations of songs originally done by Fats Waller, Sidney Bechet and Hoagy Carmichael. Last Call, which showcases the beloved legendary musician performing the music that was his true passion in life: the classic jazz, swing and pop sounds of the 1920s-1940s.
Released with the participation and support of Jeff Healey's widow, Cristie, Last Call is a 14-track collection on which Healey plays multi-tracked guitar parts, trumpet and sings. On several of the songs, he's accompanied by Ross Wooldridge on piano and clarinet and Drew Jurecka on violin. CreditsPersonnel: Jeff Healey (vocals, guitar, trumpet); Drew Jurecka (violin); Ross Wooldridge (clarinet, piano).
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Autographed sleeve shown. |
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Autographed sleeve shown. |
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Card sleeve with 3" hole cut out of the front. |
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UK edition of the first single from the blind blues guitarist's first album in five years. |
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Third time up for sightless guitar wunderkid Jeff Healey and gang; Feel This offers the power trio's meatiest and most satisfying outing. JHB's brand of roadhouse rock can be somewhat bland on disc; here the group captures much more of its trademark live intensity than in the past. The unobtrusive addition of keyboards adds a more expansive dimension to several tracks. Boogie fans will want to check out the ZZ Top-like "Cruel Little Number"; blues-rockers will come away satisfied with the likes of "House That Love Built." Hip-hop connoisseurs, on the other hand, will likely want to avoid JHB's rap spoof on "If You Can't Feel Anything Else." ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide CreditsDawna Zeeman (Handclapping), David "Doomsday" Stinson (Assistant), Sharron Robert (Handclapping), Joe Hardy (Producer), The Jeff Healey Band (Producer), Richard Chycki (Dobro), Joe Rockman (Guitar (Bass)), Mitchell Cohen (A&R), Mischke (Vocals (Background)), Warren "Wiggy" Toll (Vocals (Background)), Tom Stephen (Drums), Joe Hardy (Percussion), Hugh Syme (Design), Molly Johnson (Vocals (Background)), Tom Stephen (Art Direction), Joe Hardy (Mixing), Joe Hardy (Engineer), Amanda Marshall (Vocals (Background)), Richard Chycki (Handclapping), Richard Chycki (Assistant Engineer), Sharron Robert (Vocals (Background)), Jeff Katz (Photography), Patricia Worrall (Handclapping), George Marino (Mastering), Dawna Zeeman (Vocals (Background)), Joe Rockman (Vocals (Background)), Jeff Healey (Guitar), Patricia Worrall (Vocals (Background)), Warren "Wiggy" Toll (Handclapping), Mimi Jamison (Vocals (Background)), Richard Chycki (Vocals (Background)), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Tom Stephen (Vocals (Background)), Jimi Jamison (Vocals (Background)), David "Doomsday" Stinson (Assistant Engineer), Washington Savage (Keyboards), Paul Shaffer (Keyboards), Tom Stephen (Design), Joe Hardy (Keyboards), Hugh Syme (Art Direction), John, Jr. (Rap)
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Reissue of the self-released 2004 album from multi-instrumentalist Jeff Healey. Initially known as a Blues guitarist, on this release, Healey picks up the trumpet and explores traditional American Jazz of the '20s and '30s. Backed by his new band, The Jazz Wizards, this is a remarkable release by an artist who continues to surprise and inspire. 15 tracks including 'Bugle Call Rag', 'I Never Knew What A Gal Could Do', 'Three Little Words' and more. |
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Hard Rockin' Blues 09/1997
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Patrick Swayze stars in this sexy, "violent tough-guy thriller" (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) from the producer of Die Hard and The Matrix. Co-starring Ben Gazzara (The Thomas Crown Affair), Kelly Lynch (Charlie's Angels) and Sam Elliott (We Were Soldiers), Road House delivers no-holds-barred action that pushes the envelope for high-octane thrills! Swayze is Dalton, a legendary bouncer who comes to Jasper, Missouri, for a special purpose: to restore order at the notorious Double Deuce bar. In one spectacular fight after another, Dalton rids the bar of thugs and henchmen. But when he runs afoul of a ruthless crime boss (Gazzara) who controls the town, the stage is set for a blistering showdown that'll leave only one man standing! Actors: Patrick Swayze, Kelly Lynch, Sam Elliott, Ben Gazzara, Marshall R. Teague |
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The Jeff Healey Band - Jeff Healey: Vocals & Guitar, Joseph Rockman: Bass & Vocals, Thomas Stephen: Drums |
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Run Time: 100 minutes Captured here for the first time ever is the Jeff Healey Band’s 1999 performance at Montreux. Featuring 10 songs from their set, the band (Healey, Joe Rockman on bass, Pat Rush guitar, and Tom Stephen on drums) whips the crowd into a frenzy with a high energy, minute blues jam. Included in this set are the show opening "My Little Girl", their cover The Doors’ "Roadhouse Blues" (featured in the movie "Roadhouse") and perhaps their well known song, "Angel Eyes", which was a Top 10 smash in the US in 1988. As a bonus, fans are treated to 4 tracks from their 1997 Montreux appearance at Stravinski Hall. CreditsClaude Nobs (Executive Producer), Terry Shand (Executive Producer), Michael Heatley (Liner Notes), Philip Sayce (Guitar), Geoff Kempin (Executive Producer), Joe Rockman (Bass), Jeff Healey (Vocals), Pat Rush (Guitar), Tom Stephen (Drums), Jeff Healey (Guitar) |
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Run Time: 100 minutes Captured here for the first time ever is the Jeff Healey Band’s 1999 performance at the Montreux Festival. The band (Healey, Joe Rockman on bass, Pat Rush on guitar, and Tom Stephen on drums) whips the crowd into a frenzy with a high energy, 76 minute blues jam. Included in this set are "My Little Girl", "I Think I Love You Too Much", "See the Light", their cover of The Doors’ "Roadhouse Blues" (featured in the movie "Roadhouse") and perhaps their most well known song, "Angel Eyes", which was a Top 10 smash in the US in 1988. As a bonus, fans are treated to 4 tracks from their 1997 Montreux appearance at Stravinski Hall. |
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2CD + DVD collective "rock-umentary" of rare footage, interviews, intimate behind the scenes moments, and unseen live performances spanning the 18-year career of the Jeff Healey Band. Unseen live performances include collaborations and jams with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Keith Richards, George Harrison, B.B. King, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Lynne, Sheila E, Clarence Clemons (Bruce Springsteen), Paul Shaffer, and Dave Edmunds. Includes the unreleased video for "I Tried." Jeff Healey is arguably one of the most distinctive guitar players of our time. This man, who has sold millions of hard blues/rock recordings, is equally at ease playing the infectious, joyful pop music of the '20s and '30s usually described as "classic" jazz. He has two bands, two musical lives--but not a trace of split personality! CreditsBrandon Friesen (Artist Coordination), Brandon Friesen (A&R), Greg Ladanyi (Producer), Richard Chycki (Producer), Stevie Salas (A&R), Robert Dylan Thomas (Editing), Mark Knopfler (Guest Appearance), Jeff Lynne (Guest Appearance), Brandon Friesen (Remixing), Tom Stephen (Project Producer), Paul Scinocca (Coordination), Stevie Salas (Artist Coordination), Tom Stephen (A&R), Tom Stephen (Remix Direction), Thom Panunzio (Producer), Ed Stasium (Producer), Stevie Salas (Project Producer), Paul Shaffer (Guest Appearance), Brandon Friesen (Project Producer), Marti Frederiksen (Producer), The Jeff Healey Band (Producer), Tom Stephen (Artist Coordination), Stevie Salas (Remix Direction), Joe Hardy (Producer) NOTE: this is not a Jeff Healey endorsed release. |
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![Cover to Cover [Arista]](images/cover2cover.jpg)
![Get Me Some [IMPORT]](images/getmesome.jpg)
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![The Best of the Jeff Healey Band [Paradiso]](images/thebestof.jpg)
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