JEFF BABKO

keyboardist/ pianist/ studio manager/ producer/ composer/ arranger/ apologetic trombonist

Jeff Babko is:

Keyboardist/composer/arranger JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE for 21+ years

Session keyboardist on records (Frank Ocean, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Smokey Robinson, Larry Carlton etc)

Session keyboardist on movies (Encanto- “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, Superbad, 40 Year Old Virgin, Toy Story 4, Frozen 2, Killers of the Flower Moon, Tenet, etc)

Touring keyboardist (Sheryl Crow, James Taylor, Toto, Steely Dan, Steve Gadd Band, etc)

Music director/touring pianist STEVE MARTIN & MARTIN SHORT (& Netflix special)

Guy with a studio full of synths and organs TUDORTONES STUDIO in LA, CA

w/ Steely Dan, March 2024

w/ Conan O’Brien & Jimmy Vivino LOVE ROCKS NYC, Beacon Theatre March 2024

w/ Tom Morello LOVE ROCKS NYC Beacon Theatre March 2024

Keith Carlock, Jeff Coffin, JB, Nir Felder, Will Lee BAND OF OTHER BROTHERS, June 2024 Astoria, Queens NY

Will Lee, Nir Felder, JB, Jeff Coffin, Keith Carlock BAND OF OTHER BROTHERS 6/24 This Year At Christmas album photo shoot

w/ Dave Grohl, LOVE ROCKS NYC, March 2024

Jeff onstage @ Hollywood Bowl, July 3, 2022 w/ Martin Short & the LA Philharmonic

w/ Steve Gadd Band December 2023, Catalina’s Bar & Grill

w/ Steve Gadd Band, Catalina’s Bar & Grill Hollywood CA April 2023 (photo: BIll Zules)

w/ Steve Gadd Band, Catalina’s Bar & Grill Hollywood CA April 2023 (photo: BIll Zules)

onstage @ Hollywood Bowl July 2, 2022 w/ LA Phil for Steve Martin & Martin Short

rehearsal at Hollywood Bowl w/ Martin Short July 1, 2022

Lemar Carter, Eric Krasno, Keanu Reeves (!), Marc Broussard, Jeff Babko, Joe Bonamassa, Calvin Turner @ Sunset Sound, June 2022

Lemur Carter, Eric Krasno, Marc Broussard, Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Jeff Babko, Calvin Turner @ Sunset Sound June 2022

(photo credit: Victor Indrizzo)

(photo credit: Victor Indrizzo)

w/ the TudorTones Steinway

w/ the TudorTones Steinway

with the fellas!

stay out of the way James- Bonnie’s saying thank you and I’m getting awkward!

after the Fenway Park 2017 show w/ James Taylor & Bonnie Raitt

melodica @ Sunset Sound, Hollywood CA 2011

melodica @ Sunset Sound, Hollywood CA 2011

w/ Billy Preston 1999

w/ Billy Preston 1999

w/ my 3 bosses Martin Short, Jimmy Kimmel & James Taylor @ JT Hollywood Bowl show May 2014

w/ my 3 bosses Martin Short, Jimmy Kimmel & James Taylor @ JT Hollywood Bowl show May 2014

just before a gig  w/ the master, George Duke Oakland, CA 2005

just before a gig  w/ the master, George Duke Oakland, CA 2005

w/ Todd Rundgren, Jimmy Kimmel Live 2013

w/ Todd Rundgren, Jimmy Kimmel Live 2013

Toto Livefields Tour, 2000 w/ Steve Lukather, Europe

Toto Livefields Tour, 2000 w/ Steve Lukather, Europe

w/ Michael Bublé & Martin Short, Detroit, MI 2022

w/ Owen Young, Kate Markowitz, First Lady Michelle Obama; Lenox, Mass 2012

w/ Owen Young, Kate Markowitz, First Lady Michelle Obama; Lenox, Mass 2012

James Taylor "Band Of Legends" 2009 w/ Luis Conte, Mike Landau, "Blue" Lou Marini, Jimmy Johnson, James Taylor, David Lasley, Walt Fowler, Steve Gadd & seated Arnold McCuller, Andrea Zonn & Kate Markowitz

James Taylor "Band Of Legends" 2009 w/ Luis Conte, Mike Landau, "Blue" Lou Marini, Jimmy Johnson, James Taylor, David Lasley, Walt Fowler, Steve Gadd & seated Arnold McCuller, Andrea Zonn & Kate Markowitz

enjoying coffee in Naples w/ Steve Gadd & James Taylor 2012

enjoying coffee in Naples w/ Steve Gadd & James Taylor 2012

JT's bday w/ Jimmy Johnson, James Taylor, Steve Gadd;  Italian quartet tour 2012

JT's bday w/ Jimmy Johnson, James Taylor, Steve Gadd;  Italian quartet tour 2012

damn.  third billing.  

damn.  third billing.  

ah, but first billing here!  dream trio.  Babko/Gadd/Johnson (as if)- James Taylor trip to Japan for Seiji Ozawa's 80th.

ah, but first billing here!  dream trio.  Babko/Gadd/Johnson (as if)- James Taylor trip to Japan for Seiji Ozawa's 80th.

Mike Guggino, Mike Ashworth, Martin Short & seated Steve Martin & jb, Richmond, VA 2014

Mike Guggino, Mike Ashworth, Martin Short & seated Steve Martin & jb, Richmond, VA 2014

w/ "Shark Week" Jason Mraz @ Sunset Sound 2012

w/ "Shark Week" Jason Mraz @ Sunset Sound 2012

2015 Emmy pre-records at Capitol Studios, Hollywood w/ Steve Jordan & Tom Ranier

2015 Emmy pre-records at Capitol Studios, Hollywood w/ Steve Jordan & Tom Ranier

""Caffeinated Keyboardist" episode 4 recording w/ Mitchell Froom, Patrick Warren, Jim Cox & Zac Rae

""Caffeinated Keyboardist" episode 4 recording w/ Mitchell Froom, Patrick Warren, Jim Cox & Zac Rae

w/ Martin Short, Larry Carlton & Paul Shaffer Blue Note NYC 2005

w/ Martin Short, Larry Carlton & Paul Shaffer Blue Note NYC 2005

accompanying Paul Shaffer & Martin Short, Toys R Us Gala 2014

accompanying Paul Shaffer & Martin Short, Toys R Us Gala 2014

w/ Goldie Hawn @ Toys R Us Gala NYC 2014

w/ Goldie Hawn @ Toys R Us Gala NYC 2014

Caffeinated Keyboardist podcast recording w/ Deron Johnson, Scott Healy & Billy Childs

Caffeinated Keyboardist podcast recording w/ Deron Johnson, Scott Healy & Billy Childs

w/ Steve Jordan, EMMYS 2014

w/ Steve Jordan, EMMYS 2014

w/ keyboard masters Tom Ranier & Michael Bearden, Capitol Records Emmy pre record day, 2014

w/ keyboard masters Tom Ranier & Michael Bearden, Capitol Records Emmy pre record day, 2014

w/ Nathan East & the late Ricky Lawson @ Ocean Way 2013

w/ Nathan East & the late Ricky Lawson @ Ocean Way 2013

w/ Travis Carlton, Steve Lukather, Keith Carlock & Larry Carlton for the Luke & Larry 2015 Asia tour, Feb '15

w/ Travis Carlton, Steve Lukather, Keith Carlock & Larry Carlton for the Luke & Larry 2015 Asia tour, Feb '15

@ the Baked Potato

@ the Baked Potato

w/ one time jam band supergroup RUBBER (jb, Tim Young, Scott Seiver, Paul Bryan) recording their debut, summer 2015

w/ one time jam band supergroup RUBBER (jb, Tim Young, Scott Seiver, Paul Bryan) recording their debut, summer 2015

rrockin' some accordion, a beauty from Petosa in Seattle @ Bill Gates' house

rrockin' some accordion, a beauty from Petosa in Seattle @ Bill Gates' house

w/ Justin Meldal Johnsen in front of Sunset Sound w/ Lancia & Thing.

w/ Justin Meldal Johnsen in front of Sunset Sound w/ Lancia & Thing.

w/ Troy Ziegler, Mark Guiliana, Tim Lefebvre making Beat Music LA Aug. 19, 2013

w/ Troy Ziegler, Mark Guiliana, Tim Lefebvre making Beat Music LA Aug. 19, 2013

recording Generosity Water Project w/ Chris James, Abe Laboriel Sr., Dan Lutz, Abe Laboriel Jr. & James Harrah @ Stagg St. Studios Van Nuys, December 2008

recording Generosity Water Project w/ Chris James, Abe Laboriel Sr., Dan Lutz, Abe Laboriel Jr. & James Harrah @ Stagg St. Studios Van Nuys, December 2008

recording Generosity Water Project Dec., 2008 w/ Chris James, Dan Lutz, James Harrah, Gregg Bissonette & Nathan East

recording Generosity Water Project Dec., 2008 w/ Chris James, Dan Lutz, James Harrah, Gregg Bissonette & Nathan East

in North Hollywood, 2008 w/ Joshua & Will Kennedy, Dan Lutz, Sheila E., "Pops" Pete Escovedo, Peter Michael Escovedo & Chris James making "Generosity Water Project"

in North Hollywood, 2008 w/ Joshua & Will Kennedy, Dan Lutz, Sheila E., "Pops" Pete Escovedo, Peter Michael Escovedo & Chris James making "Generosity Water Project"

@ TudorTones 2013

@ TudorTones 2013

@ Sage & Sound, Hollywood, CA (photo cred: Victor Indrizzo) 2014

@ Sage & Sound, Hollywood, CA (photo cred: Victor Indrizzo) 2014

"George Lucas All Stars" Narada Michael Walden, Chie & Lenny Castro, jb, David Paich, Steve Lukather, Boz Scaggs, Nathan East 2005 Lucasfilm Ranch, Marin County CA

"George Lucas All Stars" Narada Michael Walden, Chie & Lenny Castro, jb, David Paich, Steve Lukather, Boz Scaggs, Nathan East 2005 Lucasfilm Ranch, Marin County CA

Nathan East, Steve Lukather, David Paich, George Lucas, jb The Presidio, SF, CA 2005

Nathan East, Steve Lukather, David Paich, George Lucas, jb The Presidio, SF, CA 2005

Cleto & The Cletones w/ George Benson & Jonny Lang

Cleto & The Cletones w/ George Benson & Jonny Lang

w/ James Taylor after James & Ben Taylor show in Virginia 2011

w/ James Taylor after James & Ben Taylor show in Virginia 2011

w/ James Taylor 2011

w/ James Taylor 2011

w/ Jimmy Johnson, Chad Wackerman, Mike Landau, James Taylor, Arnold McCuller & Kate Markowitz 2011

w/ Jimmy Johnson, Chad Wackerman, Mike Landau, James Taylor, Arnold McCuller & Kate Markowitz 2011

w/ Martin Short & legendary manager Bernie Brillstein after first touring live performace w/ Martin Short, Naperville, Illinois 2001

w/ Martin Short & legendary manager Bernie Brillstein after first touring live performace w/ Martin Short, Naperville, Illinois 2001

w/ Tim Carmon @ Ocean Way 2013

w/ Tim Carmon @ Ocean Way 2013

w/ The Cletones & Jimmy Kimmel (and jb in some questionable pants)

w/ The Cletones & Jimmy Kimmel (and jb in some questionable pants)

w/ Martin Short, "Just For Laughs" Chicago 2009

w/ Martin Short, "Just For Laughs" Chicago 2009

Toss Panos, jb, Travis Carlton, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford Tokyo 2006

Toss Panos, jb, Travis Carlton, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford Tokyo 2006

making "100 Miles From Memphis" w/ Justin Stanley, Victor Indrizzo, Tommy Sims, Sheryl Crow, Chris Bruce & Doyle Bramhall II outside Electric Lady Studios, the Village NYC 2010

making "100 Miles From Memphis" w/ Justin Stanley, Victor Indrizzo, Tommy Sims, Sheryl Crow, Chris Bruce & Doyle Bramhall II outside Electric Lady Studios, the Village NYC 2010

"Summer Day" video shoot day w/ Tommy Sims & Victor Indrizzo; Nashville, TN 2010

"Summer Day" video shoot day w/ Tommy Sims & Victor Indrizzo; Nashville, TN 2010

shooting CBS This Morning w/ Sheryl Crow, Midtown Manhattan 2010

shooting CBS This Morning w/ Sheryl Crow, Midtown Manhattan 2010

Sheryl Crow & The Thieves 2010 tourw/ L-R back row Shelley Carroll, Ephraim Owens, Victor Indrizzo, Nayanna Holley, Stevvi Alexander; front Doyle Bramhall II, Sheryl Crow, Tommy Sims, Chris Bruce)

Sheryl Crow & The Thieves 2010 tour

w/ L-R back row Shelley Carroll, Ephraim Owens, Victor Indrizzo, Nayanna Holley, Stevvi Alexander; front Doyle Bramhall II, Sheryl Crow, Tommy Sims, Chris Bruce)

w/ Sheryl Crow & Justin Stanley, SC & The Thieves tour, backstage @ Red Rocks 2010 

w/ Sheryl Crow & Justin Stanley, SC & The Thieves tour, backstage @ Red Rocks 2010 

hot jam w/ Doyle Bramhall II , Knoxville, TN 2010

hot jam w/ Doyle Bramhall II , Knoxville, TN 2010

during Sheryl Crow & The Thieves 2010 summer tour

during Sheryl Crow & The Thieves 2010 summer tour

various nights @ The Baked Potato

various nights @ The Baked Potato

w/ Steve Lukather; Doves of Fire tour, Japan 2001

w/ Steve Lukather; Doves of Fire tour, Japan 2001

Doves of Fire w/ Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips & Melvin Davis, Tokyo 2001

Doves of Fire w/ Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips & Melvin Davis, Tokyo 2001

w/ Simon Phillips & Steve Lukather arriving in Japan, 2001

w/ Simon Phillips & Steve Lukather arriving in Japan, 2001

making Nathan East's solo debut @ Ocean Way, 2013 w/ Tim Carmon, Chris Gero, Nathan, Ricky Lawson, Michael Thompson

making Nathan East's solo debut @ Ocean Way, 2013 w/ Tim Carmon, Chris Gero, Nathan, Ricky Lawson, Michael Thompson

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w/ Bruce Hornsby @ Greek Theater LA 2014

w/ Bruce Hornsby @ Greek Theater LA 2014

w/ Neil Stubenhaus, John Anson Ford Theater, Hollywood CA 2010

w/ Neil Stubenhaus, John Anson Ford Theater, Hollywood CA 2010

working it out w/ Shogun Warrior (Toss Panos, John Daversa, Jimmy Johnson) @ Baked Potato, Universal City, CA

working it out w/ Shogun Warrior (Toss Panos, John Daversa, Jimmy Johnson) @ Baked Potato, Universal City, CA

recording Mondo Trio, Sage & Sound studio, Hollywood, CA

recording Mondo Trio, Sage & Sound studio, Hollywood, CA

w/ the Steep Canyon Rangers 2014

w/ the Steep Canyon Rangers 2014

w/ Nathan East & David Paich, Ocean Way Recording Studio, Hollywood CA 2014

w/ Nathan East & David Paich, Ocean Way Recording Studio, Hollywood CA 2014

w/ Lazlo Bane featuring Colin Hay (far right) 2008(ish) @ Hotel Cafe, Hollywood CA

w/ Lazlo Bane featuring Colin Hay (far right) 2008(ish) @ Hotel Cafe, Hollywood CA

rehearsing for the royal family of Thailand, 2007 (Abe Laboriel in bg)

rehearsing for the royal family of Thailand, 2007 (Abe Laboriel in bg)

w/ the most fearless rhythm section, Mark Guiliana & Tim Lefebvre @ Hooters, Santa Monica 2012

w/ the most fearless rhythm section, Mark Guiliana & Tim Lefebvre @ Hooters, Santa Monica 2012

after a Zig gig @ The Mint, LA w/ Toss Panos, Zigaboo Modeliste, & Toshi Yanagi 2012

after a Zig gig @ The Mint, LA w/ Toss Panos, Zigaboo Modeliste, & Toshi Yanagi 2012

after Jeff Babko & The Meat Dept. gig @ Blue Whale, 2014 w/ Mike Elizondo, Tim Lefebvre, Louis Cole & Tim Young

after Jeff Babko & The Meat Dept. gig @ Blue Whale, 2014 w/ Mike Elizondo, Tim Lefebvre, Louis Cole & Tim Young

@ the Continental Club w/ Ephraim Owens & Brannen Temple 2014

@ the Continental Club w/ Ephraim Owens & Brannen Temple 2014

sound check at the White House Rose Garden

sound check at the White House Rose Garden

w/ Paul Shaffer & Martin Short after concert

w/ Paul Shaffer & Martin Short after concert

1/2 of the Cletones: w/ Cleto & Jimmy Earl Austin, TX "Jimmy Kimmel Live" 2014

1/2 of the Cletones: w/ Cleto & Jimmy Earl Austin, TX "Jimmy Kimmel Live" 2014

w/ Toshi Yanagi, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in Austin TX 2014

w/ Toshi Yanagi, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in Austin TX 2014

Old Orchard Elementary School talent show, Hart High Auditorium circa 1978/9

Old Orchard Elementary School talent show, Hart High Auditorium circa 1978/9

pre show ponder backstage in St. Charles, Illinois

pre show ponder backstage in St. Charles, Illinois

w/ Robben Ford @ The Fillmore, SF CA

w/ Robben Ford @ The Fillmore, SF CA

w/ Jimmy Earl & Robben Ford, Fillmore SF 2001

w/ Jimmy Earl & Robben Ford, Fillmore SF 2001

"The Three Amigos bit" w/ Martin Short and "3 random guys"

"The Three Amigos bit" w/ Martin Short and "3 random guys"

Interpreting Peter Gabriel Night @ Molly Malones, LA w/ Lyle Workman, Blair Sinta, John Paterno, Matt Rohde, Marcus Wolf 2014

Interpreting Peter Gabriel Night @ Molly Malones, LA w/ Lyle Workman, Blair Sinta, John Paterno, Matt Rohde, Marcus Wolf 2014

a night at the glorious Baked Potato

a night at the glorious Baked Potato

SantaMental horn section w/ Steve Lukather, Gregg Bissonette, Walt Fowler & George Shelby, Steakhouse Studio, North Hollywood, CA 2001

SantaMental horn section w/ Steve Lukather, Gregg Bissonette, Walt Fowler & George Shelby, Steakhouse Studio, North Hollywood, CA 2001

SantaMental recording session, Steakhouse Studios Noho CA w/ John Pierce, me in some pants, Steve Lukather, unnamed snowman, Gregg Bissonette

SantaMental recording session, Steakhouse Studios Noho CA w/ John Pierce, me in some pants, Steve Lukather, unnamed snowman, Gregg Bissonette

Shogun! w/ John Daversa, Gene Coye & Mike Elizondo

Shogun! w/ John Daversa, Gene Coye & Mike Elizondo

w/ "Shark Week" Tim Pierce & Justin Meldal Johnsen @ Sunset Sound 2012

w/ "Shark Week" Tim Pierce & Justin Meldal Johnsen @ Sunset Sound 2012

1992 University of Miami article featuring the award winning UM "Bop Brothers"

1992 University of Miami article featuring the award winning UM "Bop Brothers"

Jeff, Cleto & Toshi of the Cletones now... (2013)

Jeff, Cleto & Toshi of the Cletones now... (2013)

...and then. (1999)

...and then. (1999)

Simon Phillips Symbiosis tour, Jan. 1997 w/ Simon, Jimmy Earl, Andy Timmons & Wendell Brooks

Simon Phillips Symbiosis tour, Jan. 1997 w/ Simon, Jimmy Earl, Andy Timmons & Wendell Brooks

w/ Toto; 2000

w/ Toto; 2000

"the Simi Valley Horns" w/ Walt Fowler, Brandon Fields & Mitch Forman

"the Simi Valley Horns" w/ Walt Fowler, Brandon Fields & Mitch Forman

more Simi Valley Horns antics

more Simi Valley Horns antics

promo shoot for Korg M50, Hollywood, CA

promo shoot for Korg M50, Hollywood, CA

w/ two of Minneapolis' finest: Ricky Peterson & Jimmy Johnson, Memphis Mud, 2009

w/ two of Minneapolis' finest: Ricky Peterson & Jimmy Johnson, Memphis Mud, 2009

the whole James Taylor camp during the making of "Covers", 2008, "The Barn" Lenox, Mass

the whole James Taylor camp during the making of "Covers", 2008, "The Barn" Lenox, Mass

w/ Martin Short in Mike Tyson makeup rehearsing "Just For Laughs" comedy special 2009

w/ Martin Short in Mike Tyson makeup rehearsing "Just For Laughs" comedy special 2009

University of Miami's award winning "Bop Brothers" w/ Pete Brewer, Steve Smyth, Al Young & Leo Huppert. Boulder, CO 1992

University of Miami's award winning "Bop Brothers" w/ Pete Brewer, Steve Smyth, Al Young & Leo Huppert. Boulder, CO 1992

w/ Miami band "Treehouse", promo shot for "Listen To Reason" CD, 1994 (w/ Carl Roa, Dan Pinder, Sam Jaffe & Scott Garapolo

w/ Miami band "Treehouse", promo shot for "Listen To Reason" CD, 1994 (w/ Carl Roa, Dan Pinder, Sam Jaffe & Scott Garapolo

JANUARY 10, 2025 w/ Steve Martin, Martin Short & Steep Canyon Rangers Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall TICKETS

JANUARY 11, 2025 w/ Steve Martin, Martin Short & Steep Canyon Rangers Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock TICKETS

JANUARY 23, 2025 w/ Steve Martin, Martin Short & Steep Canyon Rangers Chattanooga, TN Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium TICKETS

JANUARY 24, 2025 w/ Steve Martin, Martin Short & Steep Canyon Rangers Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre TICKETS

JANUARY 25, 2025 w/ Steve Martin, Martin Short & Steep Canyon Rangers Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre TICKETS

JANUARY 28, 2025 w/ ZACH DANZIGER “BASIC CABLE”- Baked Potato, Universal City, CA TICKETS

“Basic Cable” Jan 28 Baked Potato

FEBRUARY 14, 2025 The Return of NIKKA COSTA w/ STRINGS! Largo, West Hollywood CA TICKETS