Jeff Blumer
An honest Christian rock guitarist. Jeff Blumer maintains that Faith, Love and, Hope are tantamount to a peaceful existence, and only genuinely available throu
2
songs
99
plays
Take, Take Take, Take
A happy tune; enjoyable melody, catchy hook, great riffs, groovin' beat, cool sax solo, and wild guitar solo at the end (also, a "hidden" 80's POP keyboard line ends the tune - tell us if you can hear it! With Article of Faith!
I'm So Afraid I'm So Afraid
A mellow, heart-felt, love-angst ballad. Tracked in my bedroom with a friend's 2-track machine. The vocals are bounced from track to track for multi-track effect. A spontaneous recording, which took all of 2 hours to complete.
Jeff has been playing guitar since the age of 9. His parents bought he and his brother matching guitars, and signed them up for lessons. Strumming through "Puff, the Magic Dragon", "Where Have All the Flowers Gone", etc (you know, the basic three-tone chords every lame teacher in the world starts a kid off doing).
Singing and songwriting followed after Jeff discovered bands like The Beatles, Dave Clark 5, Brothers Gibb, and all the 60's pop artists that dominated hit radio in that era.
Then Jeff heard Cream, amazed at the awesome guitar tone of Eric Clapton on "Sunshine of Your Love", and Jimi Hendrix's wailing riffs. It was time to get an electric guitar!Band/artist history
Jeff began performing publicly in the 6th grade, usually with a drummer (who had but a snare drum and a cymbal!). Finally by the end of 7th grade, Jeff hooked up with Dennis Stevenson (he was living in Watsonville, CA at the time), and began to write, record and perform at many functions - especially at Elementary Schools during lunchtime.
It was about 7th grade (@ just 12 years old!) when Jeff got encouragment to TEACH guitar regularly - and "professionally" (ie: earn $$ doing it). That no-fear approach to what turned out to be a 38 year affair, is probably the single-most motivating factor for stretching the learning curve. Naturally, Jeff's students wanted to learn some of the stuff Jeff could already play - but, then - also wanted to learn a lot of things Jeff never thought he'd ever learn!
That was a big kick in Jeff's guitar = playing development. Not only that, but Jeff also has influenced others to pursue their musical dreams. Some have gone on to do some amazing things. A few students, to drop a few names: Jeff "Jeffro" Hunter (Jeffrology I & II, The Beverly Beer Bellies, PCP), Tom Ciapponi (MaloChango - also a Berkley School of Music, Boston grad - with honors!), Mike Campbell, Naomi Luce, Lindsey Yoder, Derek King, Steve Rosburg, (WRITE ME if your name belongs here!! - time constraints, and memory fade....)
Dennis and Jeff's mothers always seemed available to cart the equipment around town. Dennis had a nice Gretsch kit, and eventually were included in the Rolling Hills Junior High Talent Contest - which they won (or so, rumor has it)!
When Jeff's Dad received a job offer in the Napa Valley, he moved (and there, he stayed). Beautiful place, Napa is, but also a nice town to grow up in. Jeff found that his playing was superior to boys in his age group, and Jeff found himself playing in bands with older High School guys. The bands formed easily, and offered him many opportunities to perform and record.
Soon, writing music became a passion for Jeff, and with a band named "Elixer", established himself as a premier local guitarist.
The band won popular acclaim, and were asked to open for the Tubes at the Napa Fairgrounds in October of 1974. Also on the bill was Crossfire, included in the lineup was Gary Pihl (who would later become the lead guitarist for Sammy Hagar, then on to - and currently with - Boston! Jeff and Gary still correspond).
Jeff and Elixer would stay a phenomenal band for 7 years, until 1979. (There's more, but I'll add later)
Jeff still teaches occasionally (although currently - on a year-long haiatus) currently plays with (BSP) Article of Faith (AoF), which you can check out on SoundClick:
www.soundclick.com/articleoffaith
Check out the Then and Now sounds form Jeff Blumer, by listening to THIS page, and:
www.SoundClick.com/Elixer
then
www.SoundClick.com/The Clean
then
www.SoundClick.com/DressForSuccess
then
www.SoundClick.com/ArticleOfFaith
Thanks for reading all this!Have you performed in front of an audience?Yup.
Your musical influences
Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, John Fogarty, Neal Schon, David Jon Gilmour, Carlos Santana, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Alex Lifeson, Steve Morse, Kerry Livgren, Phil Keaggy, Lanny Cordola, Jesus ChristWhat equipment do you use?
Roland GR700 & 707 Controllers, Aria Pro II Knight Warrior, Danelectro Bari, Takamine 375S, Korg ToneWorks, etc.Anything else?
I gave my life to Jesus Christ at the age of 22 (which would be 1979), and He would be the single-most influencial individual in my life!Contact
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Comments (4)
Hey,
Nice guitar work on Take take!
Keep rippin it up.
I remember running home to my parents saying "there's this guy who can play the guitar solo to Stairway to Heaven note for note- I think he's better than Jimmy Page! he lives right here in Napa. Can I take lessons from him???" Thanks for helping me be the guitarist I am today, and thank you and all the inspiration and encouragement you've givien me through life - in other words: You Rock!!!
When I was in 3rd grade my school went to a concert put on by the high school music Dept. Jeff Blumer was the guitarist in that band and I remember how amazed I was when he demonstraited his skill, talents and phase shifter! I was hooked! From then until today music and guitars have been a huge part of my life! And it's all been good! Thanks Jeff!
Nice!
Really nice harmony intro - good all the way thru. Great job!
Mind lending your ear to one I've posted? I'd appreciate the feedback.
Thx,
Chris
