Music
Press
Really marvelous to finally revisit Jeff Hartman's music, with his band Brian Burton (Cast Iron Filter) on drums, Scott McCloud on bass & vocals, and Jeff on Keys and fine, soulful vocals. While this tavern was new to us, the holiday party attendees were very happy with what they heard from this band. We were extremely happy with them as well. Jeff plays such a wide variety of music, from top 40 covers (catering to this type of gig), to his soulful, jazzed, hip original tunes which we've come to know and love. The CD, More (The Black Album) in memory of David Black/Old House Recording Studio, is a perfect album to kick back with, groove to and cater to your own soulful funkiness. - lauriekoster.com
“...Hartman’s beautiful voice and authoritative yet gentle presence unite story and character and guide the audience through the intricacies of a plot told largely in song.”
“...he commanded the stage, singing with authority and capturing the interest of the audience.” - Charlotte Observer
“...And Jeff Hartman. I’m getting tired of writing about what a fine performer he is.”
“Mess up sometime, Jeff, so I can have something different to say.”
“...the Jeff Hartman audiences look forward to watching is back. This is the kind of performance the public has come to expect of Hartman...” - Lenoir News-Topic
“...the response I got from our listeners and staff was fantastic!” - Hal Row, First Talk - 1290 WHKY Talk Radio
“... these guys and girl are becoming the fastest rising band on the local music scene. If you like smooth rock and pop tunes, this band will not disappoint in the least.”
"...one of the fastest rising bands in the area..."
"...This eclectic group of musicians has been tearing up the local and regional music scene for several months now and show no signs of slowing down at all. Their show is packed with classic rock and pop covers with some creative originals thrown in for good measure. You never know what you might hear when these guys hit the stage from one night to the next..."
"...one of the hottest bands in Hickory right now..."
"...This band of talented musicians plays a great show full of original material and some really interesting cover material that always makes you want to stop what you're doing and listen. The band incorporates the rock, pop, jam band, disco, new wave and R&B genres of music into their shows and it all comes out sounding great..."
"...Apparently they can bust out an electric or acoustic show which you have to appreciate. As far as what I heard them play this evening, good quality rock and pop numbers that always makes the place go crazy. Go out and support this new band. Once you do I'll bet you'll go see them again..."
"...If you like your live music with lots of strong vocals and equally good musicianship, this is the band for you my friends..." - Scott W. Ramsey - EnterActive Weekly
Folk, funk or soul? All of the above
The hard-to-classify band gets down during a show at Hickory Tavern Tuesday night. The Hickory-based band plays several hometown gigs this weekend. For the story, see PAGE A9.
A New Groove
Scott Jeffrey's Band brings home the funk
BY JOSH YODER
RECORD STAFF WRITER
HICKORY
The guitarist remembers the best compliment he got from a man eating fried chicken.
The members of the band were playing a gig at a bar in Williamsburg, VA.
"This guy was eating dinner with his girlfriend. After the song was over, he said, "Man, that was so funky I ain't even hungry no more!"
The band, based in Hickory, returns home for several shows this weekend. They're playing tonight at the Olde Hickory Tap Room, and they're not afraid to get funky.
Those familiar with the four-piece band may be surprised at how its sound has evolved.
"Over the past year, we've shifted gears," said Jeff Hartman, the group's frontman and namesake.
When Hartman formed the band in 2000, he sported an acoustic guitar. The idea was to play with a raw, unplugged sound, he said.
Not any more. Now Hartman mainly sticks with the keyboard, which adds a second lead instrument to the electric guitar, rounding out the current version of the group.
Hartman still writes all the group's songs. But the process involves the entire band.
"He brings us a foundation, and then we all build the house," the bass player said.
This process is evident during performances, when the group hits a groove and starts adding layers. Experiments and solos abound, so no two live versions of a song are exactly the same.
The band's music isn't readily classifiable. Hartman calls it "folk funk." But it could easily be called soul, rock or jam music.
"We're not so much of a jam band as a band who jams," says the bass player. "It's not about playing 40-minute songs. It's about everyone bringing something to the table." - Hickory Daily Record
HICKORY - I was invited out to see the band at the Olde Hickory Tap Room on Saturday night. Luckily, I had seen them before, so I accepted.
What I didn't expect was that I would be whisked into an atmosphere that was reminiscent of Bourbon Street on a muggy Saturday night. The room was packed and the band was niched into a little corner of the room with a brick wall on one side and a neon light behind the drummer's head. The crowd was talking in high backed booths, and I settled in to check these guys out in earnest. I was struck by the emotion with which they played, and the fact that they were all barefooted. When the took the stage, they played some original material (like Erica's Song), and then they conquered me with a very impressive rendition of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes." They moved through some very grooving, jazzy numbers and then I got another cover that blew me away - Prince's "Kiss."
The thing about this band is that they are a musician's band. They are all very talented players and their sound is sonically impressive. The songs are tight and polished. They have a Dave Matthews-ish type sound, but are overall very versatile. Their original songs range from extremely jazzy to hauntingly ethereal with subtle layers throughout. Their new offering, "Northern Accent" is available for sale at shows. The have guest musicians from time to time and play consistently throughout the east coast. They are definitely a band to see, especially if you are just looking to kick back and take in some really good music. Listen close enough and you'll be able to get that feel of New Orleans as well.
For more information about the band, check out their website at jshartman.com or go out and see them! - Operation: Dinner Out
Hello, Jeff. I, believe it or not, keep up with you guys via mostly your newsletter and word on the street. I really like the two things you wrote in this issue. First, about your '03 year in perspective. You have preformed feats of amazement. The very fact you grew up and out when the rest of the music world basically sucked down and in (I know, I never said I was a lyricist) is an achievement in it's self.
I get to work with different groups and individuals pretty much on a daily basis, but you displayed talents and skills here that I rarely get to see. I know that surely sometimes you ask yourself, "Damn, why am I doing this" especially when things get crazy with your bandmates or bookings get screwed up. But that comes with the territory. Just keep up the good work. I believe in you and really think you have more good things coming. Most of my career has been involved with different aspects of "making it," getting close, but not quite there. So, for those of us who haven't "made it," (yet!), we pass the torch on to someone who I believe will.
The second part reminds me of what the music used to be like back in the '60's and '70's. There was this kind of sprit in the air that said "new things, thoughts and ideas" and "new feelings." It was like, everywhere. There was this excitement of discovery as well as people sharing all of this. We used to get a new album, which we usually had to wait for and it seemed like forever, but we would get together at someone's house, usually whoever had the newest needle on their turntable and a great sounding system, and listen. Over and over and we would talk about all the parts and what the songs meant. It was such a wonderful time. I just hope that through my work, someone else can experience that the way I did.
BTW, Merry Christmas and I hope you and yours have a healthy, prosperous New Year!
David Black
Owner/Engineer/Producer
Old House Recording Studio - Gastonia, NC
704-867-9166
www.oldhousestudio.com - Old House Recording Studio
Discography
Then There Was Three (2007)
More (The Black Album) (2005)
Northern Accent (2003)
These Boots (2001)
EP (1999)
Photos
Bio
"Allow me to preface all of this by emphasizing none of this is about me. It's about seizing opportunities to share with you some gifts God has blessed me with."
Many distinct music personalities yield a single sound; sometimes rock, sometimes pop, sometimes jazz, sometimes folk, other times funk, with soaring vocals laced together with melodies that never leave you. Nevertheless, it can only be described as Jeff Hartman's eclectic blend. In the tradition of Bruce Hornsby and Dave Matthews, Jeff has carved out an impressive place for himself on the live music circuit, having appeared with a variety of musicians and as Scott Jeffrey's Band approximately 200 dates yearly for half a decade.
Jeff Hartman is an award-winning actor and musical director, and a graduate of Appalachian State University with degrees in advertising and theater. He was reciting classical compositions at nine, accompanied by six years of classical training, soon collaborating and recording original material at 14. Jeff subsequently tackled five years of
comprehensive music theory.
Hartman was honored by The National Library of Poetry and became a published author in 1992 with a revelational piece of poetry called “Hands,” subsequently collected and released as “The Sound of Poetry” on audio book, also in 1992. By 1996 he was making a living music directing theater productions and touring the region, and recording with a variety of groups, sharing stages with Molly Hatchet and Georgia Satellites.
Hartman brings to each performance twenty years of on- and off-stage experience including his 1998 on-screen appearance as a patient in United Artists' production of Carrie II and as North Carolina Theater Conference’s 1998 Outstanding Supporting Performer for his stage work in The Complete Works of WLLM SHKSPR [abridged] and NCTC's 2006 Best Actor for his stage work in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.
Scott Jeffrey’s Band made their "folk funk" debut at Drips’ Coffeehouse in Hickory, NC on December 29, 2000, but not before appearing and performing on 1290 WHKY Talk Radio’s First Talk with Hal Row earlier that morning.
The name "Scott Jeffrey's Band" materialized when nothing else would. Singer/songwriter Jeffrey Scott Hartman founded a band in 2000 when he decided to shove his original music down the throats of all cover band downtrodden. With no name, the band was simply referred to by friends and family as "Jeffrey's Band." While Jeff searched for something less individualistic, his girlfriend suggested throwing his middle name in front, establishing some sense of anonymity, thus representing the ensemble of the group and any other's contributions along the way to the arrangements and the creative process. Leaving the possessiveness in "Jeffrey's" would serve as a reminder and personify Jeff's body of work as the foundation for which his bands are built upon.
Others in Jeff's bands have included bassist Mason Bissett, drummer Brian Burton, bassist Steve Clamp, bassist Mike Cline, percussionist Rick Cline, bassist Micah Davidson, guitarist Doug Davis, guitarist Tony Eltora, drummer Daniel Flynn, bassist Darrell Griffin, vocalist Carol Anne Hartman, drummer Darrin Harwell, bassist Kevin Johnson, percussionist Phill Kirby, sound engineer Daniel LeVesque, bassist Scott McCloud, bassist Brandon Miller, guitarist Vito Oliveri, guitarist Jimmy Penland, guitarist Matthew Richelson, guitarist Jeremy Shaw, drummer Chris Simmons, guitarist Chick Tsikouras, bassist Steve Terry and saxist Phillip Whack.
Special guest artists have included violinist Zeb Bowles, violinist Page de Camara, percussionist Matt Decker, drummer Emily Fox, guitarist Keith Hicks, bassist Mike Holstein, saxist Scott McCloud, saxist Jason Passmore, guitarist Jeremy Shaw, percussionist Charles Smith and guitarist Josh Walker.
To date Jeff's most notably appeared with Universal recording artist Natalie, Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, the Allman Bros. Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Arrested Development, Jupiter Coyote, Acoustic Syndicate, The Recipe, Wil Seabrook, Will Hoge and Cowboy Mouth.
Other projects include Jeff Hartman Trio, Jeff Hartman & Friends, Hipshack, Heavy Handed Praise, Big River Orchestra, Scott Jeffrey's Band, Mt. Hebron Contemporary Worship Band, Thunder Bay, Southern Storm, Man of La Mancha Orchestra, Little Shop of Horrors Orchestra, Sanders Family Singers, JDM Trio and Deep End.
Billy Joel continues to have the biggest influence on Jif’s music, John Ritter on his acting. Jeff's stylings have broadly been compared by friends, fans and critics to Marc Cohn, Bruce Hornsby, Terry Kath, Dave Matthews and Steve Winwood.
“Simplify, simplify, simplify. My bands are products of a back to basics, Thoreau-style of music and storytelling. When necessary, we compliment my music with interpretive cover material. Lord knows every band on Earth plays Brick House. The challenge is laying it down in a way nobody’s ever heard before. That’s what we
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