Jeff Soileau BIOGRAPHY Jeff Soileau (pronounced: swah-lo) first picked up the guitar at the age of 11. That was 1978, and he has not put it down since... "Having the fortune to grow up with three brothers that were all musicians, I cannot remember much of my life where music did not play an integral part" recalls Jeff. "I even remember when The Beatles broke up --I had just turned 3." And growing up near Muscle Shoals, Alabama during the 70's certainly did not hurt either, the Florence, Alabama native discovered. Located on the opposite bank of the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals at the time was considered "the hit recording capital of the world." Muscle Shoals was host to many influential musicians that helped define an era of rock n' roll history. Various studios scattered throughout the small southern town captured the sounds of The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Bob Seger, Duane Allman, Wilson Pickett, Etta James and Otis Redding, to name just a few. These artists and a slew of talented studio musicians all recorded there during Jeff's childhood. "I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of session players that were recording and touring with the biggest names in the music business. Their influence on me to pursue music was huge." says Jeff. "I wanted to play guitar like the guys across the river in the studios did." Jeff immersed himself in the guitar throughout his teen years and cites former Bonnie Raitt guitarist, Will McFarlane, also living in the Shoals area at the time, as having a profound effect on the young musician. "I learned a lot from hearing Will perform countless times.. my right hand picking technique I learned from Will." After graduating from Auburn University in 1989, Jeff opened Crossroad Music, a specialty guitar store, one block from the university campus. During that time he performed with several groups, playing numerous club gigs and notably performing with fusion band, Faces In Cabs, at the WC Handy Jazz Festival in the 90's. In 1999 Jeff sold his retail guitar business after 10 profitable years and moved to Atlanta. "The Crossroad Music years were, musically, an exciting time in my life. I met many wonderful musicians that became good friends." he says. After moving to Atlanta, Jeff returned to his musical roots on the acoustic guitar and began performing as a solo instrumental artist. Drawing from influences Phil Keaggy, Michael Hedges and The Beatles, Jeff performs over 150 gigs throughout the southeast each year, his music combines elements of new-age, classical and jazz. Blending layers of rhythms and melodies he covers a variety of styles. As a solo instrumental acoustic guitarist, Jeff's adaptable playing style has made him an area favorite at cafe's and wine bars, as well as at many black tie formals, weddings and private events in the Atlanta and Athens area. Jeff's music provides just the right blend of "ambiance" with the added live dynamic of a passionate artist. "I play from the heart. I make it my goal to get lost in my music each time I perform. If I've done that, and if people leave at the end of the evening feeling that they've experienced something pure and artistic, then I've done my job as a musician."
In the fall of 2005 Jeff received an Artist Endorsement from Seagull Guitars, a division of The Godin Guitar Company in Canada. Recently he moved with his fiancée to Athens, Georgia, to concentrate on all things music. Jeff also plans to release a CD of original music later this year.
