TOTO - Official Website - Guest Musicians

Pianist/keyboardist Jeff Babko, having played professionally now for 12 of his 24 years, is quickly becoming a highly-sought asset to his native Los Angeles' music scene. Beginning to play the piano at the age of 3, his music teacher father taught him the blues, and encouraged Jeff to take lessons starting when he was 4. He quickly took an interest to transcribing the radio favorites of the day, as well as memorizing all of the musicians and licks from his father's Tower of Power and Blood , Sweat & Tears records. With Classical training continuing from that young age, Jeff Babko began additional studies with Dave Roitstein, head of the acclaimed California Institute of the Arts jazz department (with Charlie Haden), at age 9. Roitstein encouraged Jeff to compose, transcribe and improvise, and consequently, Jeff began performing in his own recitals, showcasing these talents.

By the time Jeff Babko reached High School he was receiving calls to play in and around Los Angeles. He led and composed for a jazz quintet of his own, paying more attention in his school classes to arranging and composing than to his work. At this time Jeff also joined an alternative post-punk pop group, and was garnering awards and accolades for his skills as a jazz musician. At the end of high school Jeff Babko was chosen to be featured in the International Association of Jazz Educators Young Artist group at their annual convention in New Orleans.

Attending college at the University of Miami, Fl, whose graduates include PatMetheny, Jaco Pastorius and Bruce Hornsby, Jeff Babko was playing with their Concert Jazz Band. During his four year stay in South Florida Jeff Babko had the opportunity to perform with Michael Brecker, Phil Woods, Pat Metheny, Bruce Hornsby and others as well as being a member of regular groups on Miami (including legend Ira Sullivan). He also started a new quintet at which the Miami Herald expressed "astonishment at the young Jeff BABKO" and joined the alternative band Treehouse, of which the Miami New Times praised and called a perfect, strange hybrid of King Crimson and Pearl Jam.
After Treehouse recorded their album, Listen To Reason, the whole band moved back to Jeff's hometown, L.A. and shortly thereafter Jeff left the group to concentrate on freelance work and on his own group. Jeff Babko's new quartet performed at the UCLA Jazz/Reggae Fest, events for the Playboy Jazz Festival, Jazz at the Wadsworth, at clubs in L.A., and finally recorded their debut album, Misfits of Silence (NCM/West Records), released in January 1996. The L.A. Times called "newcomer Jeff Babko's Misfits of Silence a thoroughly modern, determined outing that marks the pianist as someone to watch", and the L.A. Jazz Scene said that the "generous 74 minute disc gives the listener a peek at the creative mind of Jeff Babko", and that "Misfits of Silence is no misfit and is an excellent debut disc." Misfits of Silence is now distributed nationally in the U.S. and reached the Gavin Report's radio airplay jazz chart at number 30.

In addition to playing with his own group, Jeff has been touring since 1994 with Julio Iglesias on his Crazy and La Carretera tours throughout the U.S., Europe, Southeast Asia and South America. Jeff can also be seen in Julio's long form video, Tango.

When he's in town, Jeff Babko records and performs as a freelance keyboardist/pianist with groups rangin from alternative rock (Justin St.Denis, debut CD), jazz fusion (Suberban Alpherbet, debut CD), traditional jazz (BLACK/NOTE, Phil Ranelin's CloseEncounters of the Very Best Kind,Bonesoir, Ralph Penland's Polygon), and various other endeavors.

Jenny Douglas-McRae was born in New York and is married to fellow musician Warren McRae, a bass player. She has previously worked with Ashford and Simpson as well as Mick Jagger. Jenny was with TOTO since 1990. After the departure of Jean-Michel Byron she took over the lead vocals on "Hold the line" and became very popular with the fans. In 1994 she was on the road with Joe Cocker and therefore couldn't be with TOTO for the Night of the Proms shows in Europe. On TOTO's album "TAMBU" Jenny is featured as co-lead vocalist on two tracks, "Baby he's your man" and "Turning point". She also sings lead vocals on "Blackeye", a song that can be found on the Japanese version of "TAMBU" and on the CD single "I will remember". Recently she has been on tour with Pink. Check out her website at http://www.myspace.com/jennydouglas.

John James is also an New Yorker, and met Jenny while on tour with Ashford & Simpson. In fact, it was Jenny who recommended him to Toto after vocalist Fred White left. John feels privileged to have worked with who he calls "...the best musicians in the world". It's nice to be working with real people for a change!" There was a certain amount of pressure taking the lead on "Stop Loving You", which was a major hit overseas in 1988. But John performed it with confidence and was well accepted by the fans. As for their loyalty, well, John was amazed. He told us, "They sang everything - every ad-lib - they knew the song as well as me, and better. They memorized every note!" (Taken from: "TOTO NOTES #43," Jan. 1993. Used with permission). Since 1996, John shared the lead vocals on "Hold the line" with Jenny which worked out great. John is also enjoying success as a painter with a showing of his paintings. In spring 2007 he is scheduled to release a solo album for Watchfire music.