BIO:
Jeff Kievit's musical career began at the age of 7. At that time, a junior Drum and Bugle Corps was being formed called, The Hawthorne Muchachos. As a young boy, Jeff had heard the world famous, Hawthorne Caballeros and said, "that's what I want to do". Jeff played with the Muchachos for the next 14 seasons, from the age of 7 till "age out" at 21, (a junior drum corps record). His climb in the ranks of the drum corps from second soprano to soloist, instructor and arranger, coincided with the Muchachos' rise in national prominence, and by the time he aged out, the crowd favorite "Muchachos" had become recognized nationally as one of the greatest Jr. Drum and Bugle Corps of all time.
To help encourage, and provide a challenge for his talents, Jeff played with the Hawthorne High School Band while still attending elementary school. He started college at the University of Miami, switched to Manhattan School of Music for a semester before heading back to Miami to finish his bachelor's degree. While in Miami, Jeff got his first opportunity to break into the professional ranks. He earned a reputation for excellence while playing in clubs, show rooms, theaters, and studios in South Florida. Places such as Bachelors III in Ft. Lauderdale, The Diplomat Hotel, Criteria Recording Studio, The Coconut Grove Playhouse, and TK Recording Studio.
Over the years Jeff has performed, recorded, or toured with artists such as, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, The Bee Gees, Burt Bacharach, Shirley MacLaine, Chuck Mangione, Julio Iglesias, Firefall, Lenny Kravitz, John Cougar Mellencamp, Melanie, Betty Wright, Patti Labelle, KC and the Sunshine Band, Sammy Davis Jr., Anthony Newly, Aretha Franklin, The O' Jays, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Four Tops, The Spinners, Bobby Caldwell, The Stylistics, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick and many more.
It Was Shirley MacLaines' one-woman show on Broadway that brought Jeff back to the New York area in 1984. When asked to come and play first trumpet for the show in New York, Jeff jumped at the opportunity. Since that time, he has established himself as one of the premier trumpeters on Broadway having played first trumpet for the original 42nd Street, Steel Pier, Grand Hotel, Gypsy, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Ragtime, The Boy from Oz, La Cage aux Folles, and Chita Rivera The Dancer's Life, as well as "subbing" on many more.
After "42nd Street" closed Jeff took a position in Los Angeles, as one of the music directors for daytime TV's "The Young and the Restless". Thirteen months later he was restless himself and wanted to get back East to play trumpet for Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman where he met Vanessa Williams. When Williams was asked to sing the national anthem for Super Bowl XXX, she asked Jeff to arrange and produce it, knowing he had worked on it the previous year for Kathy Lee Gifford. After the success of that project, Ms. Williams asked Jeff to produce her Christmas CD, "a dream come true opportunity". The CD titled, Vanessa Williams "Star Bright", received critical acclaim and a Grammy Award nomination. A Christmas special was taped for ABC-TV with special guests, Luther Vandross, The Boys Choir of Harlem, Shania Twain, Rosie O'Donnell, Babyface, and Savion Glover, with Jeff as music director.
As time marches on he has earned the respect of his peers by facing severe challenges, overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and performing better than ever. "To live a purpose driven life, is an absolute blessing".
All the years of performing, arranging, contracting, and producing have come together as Jeff steps into the light with his own debut CD, For Once.
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