Jeff Colella is an endlessly inventive, post-bop pianist, and one of Los Angeles’ busiest jazz musicians. Besides performing as a solo artist and with his trio, he maintains a very active schedule as an accompanist, recording artist, composer, arranger, producer, clinician, educator, and now author. His new book, “Love Music” is available online at MymusicMasterclass.com.
His long touring stints include 16 years as pianist/musical director for the legendary Lou Rawls; seven years touring worldwide with the Jazz Tap Ensemble; and several years as Jack Jones’ pianist/musical director. He has recorded and toured with a broad range of artists, including Diane Schuur, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Sheila Jordan, Kenny Washington, Anita O’Day, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Peter Gallagher, the Bill Holman Big Band, Stacey Rowles, Larry Koonse, Judy Wexler, David T. Walker, Bobby Shew, Bob Sheppard, Scott Whitfield, and Kevin Mahogany, among many others. His compositions have been recorded by other jazz artists, most recently on Close Your Eyes, the BFM Jazz release from renowned saxophonist Bob Sheppard. His four albums as a leader include trio albums So Tender (2013, Self), Alone Together (2007, Sea Breeze), and Letting Go (1997, Sea Breeze), plus his latest release, Lotus Blossom (2014, American Jazz Institute), a critically acclaimed duo recording with renowned bassist Putter Smith, which was named #3 on NPR’s Jazz Critics Poll. He taught at the Musicians Institute for nearly thirteen years and is presently on the faculty at the World Mission University, in Los Angeles, California