Jeff Irwin

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jeff Irwin


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Background = multi-intrumentalist, vocalist, writer
Birth_name = Jeffrey Matthew Irwin
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Born = birth date and age|1977|9|12 in Creve Coeur, Missouri, U.S.
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Instrument = piano, violin, viola, trumpet, guitar, bass guitar, contrabass, baritone horn, euphonium horn, drums, synthesizers, melodica, mandolin, tin whistle, alto recorder, cowbell
Genre = Alternative, experimental, electronica, jazz
Occupation = Musician, songwriter, producer
Years_active = 1995-present
Label = Rocketown Records for Taylor Sorensen, Netwerk for Griffin House, Rough Trade for Cerys Matthews, Columbia/Aware for Mat Kearney
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URL = [http://www.myspace.com/misterirwin Jeff Irwin's MySpace] [http://www.myspace.com/irwinmusic Irwin Music's MySpace]
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Notable_instruments = 1977-78 Fender Jazz Bass, Ashdown Bass Magnifier

Jeff Irwin (a.k.a. "the Yeti", born September 12, 1977) is an East Nashville, Tennessee based multi-instrumentalist. He has performed with Griffin House, [ [http://www.myspace.com/griffinhouse Griffin House's website - Band members 9/06] ] [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kxfuxzwhldde~T2 All Music.com "Flying Upside Down" Credits] , Cerys Matthews (formerly of Catatonia) [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hcfwxqwdldke~T2 All Music.com "Never Said Goodbye" Album Credits] , Derek Webb [ [http://www.derekwebb.com Derek Webb Message Board] ] & Sandra McCracken, Mat Kearney, Taylor Sorensen & the Trigger Code [ [http://www.myspace.com/taylorsorensen Taylor Sorensen's website - Bio] ] [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wcfexq8aldte~T2 All Music.com "The Fill" EP Credits] [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fnfixqwaldke~T2 All Music.com "The Overflow" LP Credits] [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jnfqxqrsldje~T2 All Music.com "TMM" Credits] , and many others including the Counting Crows.

Biography

Born in Creve Coeur, Missouri, Irwin grew up in St. Louis County. Growing up he studied piano, violin (learning the Suzuki method), viola, trumpet, guitar, bass guitar, contrabass, baritone horn, and various synthesizers. Irwin also received vocal training by participating in various area choirs. He wrote and performed an overture for his 4th grade class' musical production of "Magellan".

By the time he reached high school, he formed his first band, coyly named The Mafia. The band was focused on both performing cover songs and writing original music. The Mafia were so adept, that they sometimes doubled as an instrumental jazz combo, playing parties and corporate functions. This was a catalyst for his involvement in school orchestras, jazz ensembles, choirs, and musical productions. In 1995, Jeff started playing solo acoustic "coffehouse" performances. Irwin began exploring the work of other songwriters like Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos, Sting, and U2.

In college, Irwin performed more as a bassist than as a singer/songwriter. From 1996-1999, while living in Bolivar, Missouri and Springfield, Missouri, he played in a ska band as well as various jazz groups. In 1999, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Belmont University. He immediately began writing and performing with numerous groups, from rock bands to orchestras.

Current Activities

Thus far in 2008, Jeff has worked with the following artists; Tristen, The Bittersweets, Roman Candle, Thad Cockrell, Andrew Peterson, Randall Goodgame, Stephen Gordon, and Sandra McCracken, among others.

Influences

Irwin cites John Entwistle (The Who), Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel), Matt Malley (Counting Crows), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), and Adam Clayton (U2)) as the bassists who have most influenced his playing.

elected recordings

* Taylor Sorensen's "The Overflow" 2003
*Griffin House's "Homecoming" 2006
*Cerys Matthews' "Never Said Goodbye" 2006

References