Jeff's Story (in a million words or less)

Born in Washington, D.C., Jeff Ganz became a New Yorker at age 13. A year later, he began performing professionally as a guitarist/vocalist in the Hendrix/Clapton tradition.

 

At 20, Jeff made the decision to master the bass, as it represented the ideal hybrid between harmony and rhythm, guitar and drums. He studied piano with his musical mentor Bob Weiner and upright bass with renowned bass experts Bill Pemberton, Clyde Lombardi, Homer Mensch, and Derek Jones, a virtuoso on both acoustic bass and bass guitar. To build a more solid foundation on the electric bass, he turned to the highly respected guitarist and film composer Ira Newborn, and jazz giant Jeff Andrews. Jeff also studied drums with Gene Morvay, Ben Gramm, Tony Tedesco, Frank Bellucci, and Don Guinta.

 

Jeff's goal was simple: he wanted to be the first-call guy in every possible genre. He didn't stop with the traditional upright bass; he also mastered the fretted and fretless 4, 5, 8-string electric bass, as well as the fretted and fretless acoustic bass guitar and piccolo bass.

 

Jeff has always been driven to push the envelope beyond what everyone expects. Every great musician has their own sound, and Jeff is no exception. His signature style provides propulsive accompaniment on both bass and drums.

 

He names bassists Lee Dorman, Tommy Shannon, Mel Schacher, and George Mraz, vocalists Jack Bruce, Todd Rundgren, Felix Pappalardi, and Bobby "Blue" Bland, and drum icons Jo Jones, Carmine Appice, Mickey Sheen, and John Bonham as his earliest eclectic influences. 

 

Jeff has toured and recorded with such legends as Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan, John Lee Hooker, Gerry Mulligan, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Tito Puente, Chuck Berry, Joe Morello, Eddie Fisher, Melvin Van Peebles, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Dr. John, Larry Coryell, Eddie Money, The Mamas And The Papas, Buck Dharma (Blue Oyster Cult), Jim Dawson, Christine Lavin, Mark Farner, Edgar Winter, Marilyn Michaels, Vanilla Fudge, and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

 

Jeff’s resume reads like a who's who of popular American music. He has occupied the bass chair on television, in concert and on CD for such artists as Rita Moreno, Howard Levy, Bernard Purdie, Melanie, Sammy Cahn, Al Cohn, Johnnie Johnson, Village People, Idris Muhammad, Billie Joe Royal, Marvin Hamlisch, Cleo Laine, Liza Minnelli, Clint Holmes, Andy Williams, Kenwood Dennard, Donna Pescow, Chris Montez, Martha Davis (The Motels), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) and Ben Vereen, amongst many others.

 

Jeff's freelance credits include movie soundtracks, Broadway musicals and national television commercials. He appeared on Grammy-nominated recordings with Johnny Winter and John Lee Hooker, as well as the Tony Award-winning original cast album of Roger Miller's "Big River". Now based in Saint Augustine, Florida, Jeff works steadily with THE BONES, a classic rock and "one hit wonders" duo which also features Rick Levy of The Box Tops, and stays busy with various composing and recording projects.

 

On Being a Sideman:

"As a sideman, it's important to always be aware of whose name is on the ticket. And, no matter what you're doing, you've got to play what is appropriate for any given situation. I've been fortunate to amass a wealth of diverse musical experiences, and it's definitely made me more proficient on many levels. When you find yourself in situations that are more spontaneous, I let the music itself tell me what needs to be done. No matter what I play, I'm always hoping to be as good as the music, and serve it in the best way possible."

 

Playing with Johnny Winter: 

"Johnny heard me when I was playing with Roy Buchanan. He was friendly and reserved when we met, but musically, we clicked quickly. He was really intrigued with the 8-string bass. Johnny once told me that he considered himself more of an entertainer than a musician. One could take a comment like that to be self-effacing from such a guitar giant, but it helped me to find my niche in his band right away. He wanted an accompanist, not a competitor. I played a bunch of different basses, did some featured vocals, and was very pleased that Johnny trusted me to play the right stuff for his music. I recorded two Grammy-nominated CDs with Johnny, Let Me In, and "Hey, Where's Your Brother?" I was also extensively interviewed and included in the book "Raisin' Cain, The Wild And Raucous Story Of Johnny Winter"."

 

Recording with John Lee Hooker: 

"Working with a legend is always a great experience. He was a man who certainly lived the blues. Although I only got to record with him once, (the whole session took 45 minutes from start to finish) it's something I'll always be proud of - and the CD (Mr. Lucky) was Grammy-nominated!"

 

Playing with Chuck Berry:

"I got this gig through Charlie Frazer, a guitarist friend who put backup bands together. At the rehearsal, Chuck gave me his instructions: 'When I put my foot up, you play. When I put my foot down, you stop. See you tonight!!!""

 

Touring with Roy Buchanan: 

"At the time Roy and I started to work together, he wasn't carrying a band. I got the call to do a date with him opening for Robin Trower at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, N.J. That began my two-year association with Roy, a guitarist's guitar player. Roy was always happy to play anytime and anywhere. I was too, because Roy's music really gave me an opportunity to stretch out. It was balls-to-the-wall blues, but with lots of surprises. When we were on the road, I got to know Roy pretty well. Along the way, we discovered that we were both huge fans of the Bowery Boys movies. Roy's generosity turned out to be something special for me; he gave me a Bowery Boys anthology book. I asked him to autograph it; he was flattered, but wouldn't do it! If you want to know more about  him, "Roy Buchanan: American Axe" by Phil Carson is an excellent read."

 

Ben Vereen: 

"One of my first unforgettable experiences in the music business was playing at the Concord Hotel in the Catskills with Ben Vereen. It was tremendously inspiring playing electric bass with a 26-piece orchestra behind such a magnificent talent. I was always an admirer of his work, and accompanying him was really something special. Ben was a consummate performer with great orchestrations, and a warm and cordial man as well. I ended up playing bass on his Christmas CD 25 years later!"

 

Working on Broadway:

"I loved the feeling I got when my parents took me to musicals. My mom took me to see "The Music Man", and my dad took me to see "Annie Get Your Gun", starring Ginger Rogers. I always wanted to replicate that indescribable feeling, and pursued playing in Broadway orchestras, both on stage and in the pit. I've worked in close proximity to legendary composers and conductors, such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jim Steinman, Roger Miller, Galt McDermott, and James Radio. Musical input was encouraged in some of these situations, and I was exhilarated when ideas I suggested ended up as part of the score."

 

On Playing Drums:

"I could play a beat on the drums way before I could play anything on guitar or bass. I will always love to play drums. Drumming improves my bass work as well, and helps tremendously to solidify me rhythmically. In fact, I have drummed in concert and in clubs with the Ed Palermo Big Band, Kid Kyle, Bob Malone, Rhett Tyler and Early Warning, the Hudson River Rats, Dave Rudbarg, Not For Nothing, Milt Milton, The Peter Duchin Orchestra, Lipbone Redding, Red Grammer, Denny Leroux, and Woof. I do private parties and recording sessions on drums as well. I've played drums on CDs by the House Of Pernod, Tim Cain, on a Coca-Cola TV commercial, and often do live drums on my own recordings."