Jeff Chaz
Bourbon Street Blues Man
Jeff Chaz was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. His formative years were spent
in Creole, Louisiana, where his father practiced medicine and French. In
grade school, Jeff Chaz aspired to Jazz trombone. In Jr. high, he switched to
trumpet and played first chair in the band. At age 14, Jeff Chaz gave his
efforts to the guitar for a while but grew bored. After high school Jeff Chaz
took to the road with a Black Boston soul band. "I was still doin'
trombone and we played six nights a week and traveled all over the US. One
night the guitar player, who was also the lead singer, quit, so the leader
came up to me and said, 'O.K. Jeff, you're the new singer'. He worked with me
until I got to soundin' like Memphis soul." Still trying to find his
niché, Jeff Chaz went back to California where he returned to guitar and
studied music at San Bernardino College. "I played country for a while...
it was like Chinese to me... it was one of the biggest challenges I'd ever
had. Finally, I knew what I had to do -- Blues Guitar." Jeff Chaz made
the decision to go to Memphis to study with the masters of Blues. He played in
little out-of-the-way Black Blues clubs, which led him to performing gospel.
He sang Amazing Grace at the opening of the National Civil Rights Museum and
won the first Beale Street Blues Award. Jeff Chaz has performed with
Albert King,
Jerry Lee Lewis, and Cab Calloway. In '96 Jeff Chaz came to New Orleans to
help organize a project with local promoter Ellis Paillet, who introduced him
to Bourbon Street's Famous Door owner, John Wehner. Jeff Chaz recalls, "I
walked into John's office...he looked at me, pulled his sticks out of his
desk, and said, 'Let's go play'. After we played for a while, he said, 'I
don't have a spot for you, but I'll make one'." Six days later, Jeff Chaz
was back in New Orleans with bags and guitar in hand. Within two months Jeff
Chaz was drawing record crowds and, with Wehner's direction and expertise, had
put together the most exciting Blues band on Bourbon Street. Jeff Chaz made
his performance debut at age 5 when he did an Elvis impression with a plastic
guitar. "My teacher really embarrassed me when she took me all around to
the other classes to do my Elvis thing." he recalls. Jeff Chaz has
traveled, studied, paid a lot of dues, and finely crafted his trade. It all
came together... now there are those who attempt to "do" Chaz.
Where is Jeff Chaz' official website?
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Visit also these related Sites:
Biographical Information on Jeff Chaz
Jeff Chaz biography by Linda Seida.
Various Articles on Jeff Chaz
Article at newartistradio.net.
Article at robertellenson.com.
Article at guitar9.com.
Jeff Chaz Photos
Jeff Chaz photo at webshots.com.
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