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A graduate from the Berklee College of Music, Jeff Ramsey has toured the world over for such artists as Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Tina Arena, Patrice Rushen, and Maxwell. Jeff can also be heard on recordings by artists like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, and Barbara Streisand, just to name a few. He's done commercials in radio and television for Burger King, Levi 501, Dryel, Mountain Dew, and Michelob.





Jeff has also done solo work for many different projects including famed Tower of Power bassist, Rocco Prestia's CD entitled "Everybody On The Bus", and James Day's EP "Remember When" and 'A Tribute to 80's R&B' CD "Better Days" with the latter two garnering the UK hit "Don't Waste The Pretty".
Everybody On The Bus Remember When Better Days Natural Things


Recently, Jeff lent his voice to James Day's 2nd CD project , "Natural Things" , released May 11th, 2009. Check out http://www.myspace.com/jamesdaysongs for more info. You can also hear Jeff's vocals on a project released earlier this year on Plastic City entitled DKMA Presents Andrastea - The Ascent as well as a compilation cd released by Plastic City entitled Deep Train 6- Dedication. Visit www.myspace.com/plasticcity for more info.




Jeff is also an educator and shares his experiences on the road and in the studio with students at his alma mater, Berklee College where he is an Assistant Professor in the Voice Department. He continues to sing doing session dates and performing around the New England area. After singing behind other artists for so many years, He is now stepping out front with his debut CD entitled"My Best". It has been a long time in the making and is finally released this Fall. For more info, continue to check his myspace page at www.myspace.com/jeframproductions or his website at jefframseymusic.com





Interview with Jeff Ramsey...

- Could you briefly tell us about your background, like, where / when you're born?
I was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, about 50 miles from New York City. I'm a 70's child. I am the oldest of three siblings. I grew up in a household full of music.


- What did you grow up listening to?
Growing up, my mother played artists such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, BSAT (Blood, Sweat, and Tears), and The Edwin Hawkins Singers. Tina and Janis really stood out to me as a youngster. Their voices just seemed so raw to me. Later on, it was the stylings of Luther Vandross that I studied. That, in turn, took me back to the first artist I named, Aretha Franklin. It's when I got to college that I really fell in love with Aretha's artistry.


- Can you remember the first record you ever bought?
Musically - speaking, I remember buying Teena Marie's "It Must Be Magic" record. I'm telling you that she really spoke to me on that. I think that was when I listened more intensely to the musical arrangements and instrumentation. She really blew me away with that album! I couldn't believe she was white. It just proves that music is music and soul is soul. If you're in touch with that, that which is in us all, it doesn't matter the color.


- What is your musical background like? Have you always wanted to be a singer?
My mother and aunt both sing as well as my grandmother, so it was always something we did. My mother taught both my brother and I how to harmonize. I actually wanted to be an actor when I was younger. Singing only found its way back at the forefront when I started to sing in high school.


- Who has been your biggest inspiration in music?
The biggest inspiration, without a doubt, was the late Luther Vandross. His songwriting, producing, and background arranging and the singers he worked with were always something I strived to be. For me, they were the standard.


- Who are you main influences as a singer ?
Luther Vandross for sure but Aretha Franklin probably has the most influence. I tend to lean more toward artists who are straight up Gospel singers or heavily influenced by Gospel music. Aretha Franklin certainly has that influence along with Al Green, Donny Hathaway, and Gospel artists such as Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Daryl Coley.


- What's the most exciting thing about your Berklee College of Music days?
As a student back in the day, I would have to say that just being around music all day and having that in common with so many of my peers was something I missed when I left Boston. I enjoyed the concerts, recitals, and just the process of putting it all together. Yet, I had to leave so I could learn the other school of just getting out there outside of that atmosphere and learn how to exist in a world where music is not the only thing you have to do to survive.


-You're an assistant professor of voice at the Berklee College of Music now. How do you describe your teaching style, or what is your Philosophy of music education ?
I would say my style is positive and uplifting. I certainly come in with the attitude of loving what I do. I believe my students see this and that's important. The love for my craft shows and I try to bring that energy their way so that they stay encouraged, even when there's something the student isn't getting.

Music education is important! I think it's imperative that music be studied whether it's just listening to something you've never heard before. I think it's important to get out of one's comfort zone and keep growing. That's what I believe music education can accomplish. You don't have to be Mozart. You don't have to be Coltrane but I do believe it's important to study what came before your preferred genre of music. I'm still learning myself every day of what I thought I knew so it never stops and that's a good thing.

- Have you ever been to Japan?
I've been to Japan several times. I've been to Fukuoaka, Yokohama, Tokyo, Kobe City, Nagoya, and Osaka. The first time was with Lalah Hathaway and again the following year with Lalah and Marcus Miller. The last time I was there was with Al McKay and the LA all-stars. We did a lot the Blue Note clubs there..

- How did you hook up with James Day?.
I actually met James Day through Lalah many years ago. Then, about a decade later, we met again through Lalah's message board. He emailed me about possibly singing on some of his tunes. We started on one project and it continued from there. The response on our collaborations was the catalyst in convincing me to finally put my own solo cd out.


- Please tell us about your "My Best" CD, the concept behind the idea and your impressions. And why the title "My Best"?
The lyrics in the first verse say it allEfor so long, I waited on others to give me my just due. Never thought enough of myself to see my vision through but now it's time to cast my fears away. Take a chance and do things my way. Have faith and the rest will comeE

I said to myself that if I'm going to do this, I have to give it my best. It's a song I believe everyone can relate to. I think we've all been too hard on ourselves and waited for some type of validation from others. We've all had to push through obstacles, through fear, and hopefully we've done the best we can do to overcome any challenges we've faced in our lives that holds us back from being all we can be.


- How has the reaction been so far?
It's been really positive! It's a weird feeling putting yourself out there not knowing if anyone will enjoy what you've done. It's not an easy thing but I knew that this was something that I had to do. For many years, I sang background for many different artists. Something was telling me to step up to the front. It helped having a single with James Day make a little noise in the UK.


- How do you describe your sound and style ?
It's interesting because I've been told that I sound like other artists, namely Phil Perry. Before Phil, it was David Peaston. I really don’t hear that when I listen to myself but it sure is a compliment. Those guys can put it down! I've also heard Luther Vandross (who certainly is an influence) as well as Jeffrey Osborne and Al Green. I think that I may be a combination of all those in the sense that sometimes I like to keep it smooth but there are other times I like to get gritty with
it. Let's call it grittysmooth soulEOL!!!


- There is something special to your voice. What does singing mean to you?
Thank you! Singing is everything to me! It helps get me through tough times. It uplifts me. It inspires me. It's still fun to do. I love it and try my best to respect it by keeping up on my vocal technique.


- Have you ever had a memory in your career that you can't forget?
Probably recording on Barbara Streisand's cd and seeing her right there in the studio. That was amazing because most of the time the artists leave that up to the producer so to see a legend right there within arm's length was unbelievable! It definitely was a surreal moment!


- What really drives you or motivates you to continue to play music?
There's so many things that drive me to keep doing music. Colleagues such as Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, Eric Robeson, Frank McComb, Ledisi, and legends such as Aretha Franklin, Al Green, and so many other artists inspire me. My co-workers and students at Berklee College of Music (all wonderful in their own right) inspire me too.


- What is music for you?
I know this is pretty clichEto say but music for me is life. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is my calling. This is who I am.

- Would you like to say something to your fans?
I would like to sincerely thank all of my fans for your support. I'm just starting on this venture and when you do something like this you never truly know who's going to listen and appreciate what you put out there, so thank you so very much for acknowledging this project. It encourages me to keep doing what I love to do.
Discography
Jeff Ramsey - "My Best" (US-CD, 2009)
1 Give It My Best
2 Just Let Me Love U
3 What Would You Do
4 Move On (Back In The Day)
5 I Know That You Want 2
6 Anything
7 Speechless
8 I Want U More
9 Happy On Hold
10 Fly So High
11 Now That I Found You
12 Be Careful
13 Hidden Track 1
14 Hidden Track 2
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