Episode 37 Jeff Babko: Keyboardist Extraordinaire & Keeping The Channels Wide Open

Jeff Babko is an in-demand pianist and keyboardist who has spent his life learning his craft and contributing to the music industry. He’s toured the world, worked with huge artists, is a gifted recording artist, and is currently the music arranger, composer, and house band member on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Listen as he shares more about his journey and experiences in the music industry and his hopes for the future.    It all started at a young age for Jeff. He remembers always being drawn to music and more specifically by album artwork. He was fascinated by how the album artwork framed the musical experience that he had when listening to the tracks.    It wasn’t long until he was learning various instruments and applying his natural curiosity to sound. He ended up attending the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and after graduating jumped right into working with Julio Iglesias on a series of worldwide tours. Given his young age, he says he didn’t always handle those tours properly though grew and learned so much as a musician.    Being on the road 24/7 however, was not the life he wanted to lead which led him to looking for more session work. He’s worked in house bands on TV shows since 1999 and is now also a highly sought after score composer and arranger for movies and television.   Listen as he shares more about his session work and career overall. He’s digging deep into the experiences and how they’ve all moved him step by step to where he is today. His work is notable as is his presence in the industry and advice for up and coming musicians.    Show Highlights:   [00:10] Learn more about Jeff Babko and his distinguished career.  [01:44] How did Jeff and Peter Himmelman meet?  [04:23] More about why Peter is such an inspiration in the industry.  [06:15] Jeff shares the first record he ever heard and how it informed his experience. [08:28] Can he remember listening to that first Stevie Wonder record for the first time?  [11:53] Did he know early on that his life was going to involve music?  [13:18] How did his career progress?  [17:25] What was it like touring with Julio Iglesias?  [20:16] Why he didn’t always handle things well during that tour.  [22:32] What it means to be a successful LA session player. [25:43] Jeff gives advice to up and coming musicians who want to find success.  [30:36] How is working in-house for a hit TV show different from other gigs?  [34:09] Why working in-house is great for stability and routine.  [37:56] Jeff recounts working with Sheryl Crow. [43:44] Learn more about recording on film scores versus albums. [47:37] More about the huge responsibility that film scores present.  [49:11] Hear all about his solo records.  [53:53] Does he still struggle with things in his life and career?   LINKS & RESOURCES   Jeff Babco: http://www.jeffbabko.com/   Jeff’s weekly Canadian radio spot “The View From L.A.”: https://jazz.fm/the-view-from-la-with-jeff-babko/   Jeff’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RWGk32j2k4   Jeff’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiG_wKTOuIPjQob143GWjUw   Jeff’s collaborative L.A. session guys band “BIL” https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmsaZGNJbd054W-Ukl77Lmw   Mentioned in this Episode:  Episode 27 Peter Himmelman Part 1: Journey of a Singer-Songwriter, Recording Artist, TV & Film Composer, Speaker, Consultant, and Author   Episode 28 Peter Himmelman Part 2: Journey of a Singer-Songwriter, Recording Artist, TV & Film Composer, Speaker, Consultant, and Author   Episode 9 Jeff Coffin: Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Author, and Recording & Touring Artist   Episode 8 Robert Kraft: Former President of Music, 20th Century Fox Film   Follow The Music Makers:  The Music Makers on Instagram   The Music Makers podcast theme song was written and produced by Andy Kushner with help from the rhythm section and horn players of the band, SoundConnection.   Sponsor: Kushner Entertainment    Check out Andy's Other Podcast: The Wedding Biz