Born: October 5, 1975 Primary Instrument: Sax, tenor
Ted Hefko’s sound is at once old and new. An avid composer, he is capable of presenting an evening of entirely original compositions, each memorable piece setting a unique mood. Yet, he draws from almost a century’s worth of music as he peppers his sets with choice standards; singing an old New Orleans tune, or picking up the flute for a Latin number, before returning to his bold, robust tenor sax sound for a romantic ballad. All of these various elements are tied together with a keen awareness of his audience and a mature, refined artistic sense. Born in Madison, WI, Ted developed an appreciation for a wide variety of jazz and world music at an early age. He moved to New Orleans in 1994 to study music and broaden his horizons, and he received a B.F.A in Jazz Studies at The University of New Orleans in 2000. A ten-year veteran of the New Orleans music community, Ted contributed to a diverse array of musical projects including, Warren Battiste Quartet, idletime, Los Sagitarios, Blake Amos and Saudade, Tondrae, and Johnny Angel and the Swingin’ Demons. Ted currently resides in Harlem, New York, where he leads his own Quartet. In addition he works regularly with a wide variety of groups including, Milo Z and the Z-Funk Allstars, Fuerza Brava, The Blue Vipers, Lewis Elderlane Experience, Melee and Preacher Robbins.
Last Updated: November 7, 2008
Hefko’s sax-playing aggressively resists pigeonholes, numbering funk, Latin
and even rock among its influences
-Aaron Conklin, Isthmus
…For the denizens of the Frenchmen Street scene, his mellifluous tenor
saxophone playing has been missed since he moved to New York. (Live at the
Blue Nile) features…a set of straight forward jazz warmed by Hefko’s great
tone...a musical snapshot of one artist’s tenure in the Crescent City.
-Jay Mazza, Louisiana Weekly
The intoxicating effects of his soulful sax play embody a spirit of New
Orleans-a sultry, sensual style that could only emerge from the heat and
eccentricities of jazz’s hometown.
-Frank Etheridge, Charleston City Paper
The accomplished jazz saxophonist returns…with a straight-ahead quartet,
applying his big, burly tone to both originals and standards.
-Hugo Z. Hackenbush, Isthmus
During a decade in New Orleans, tenor saxophonist Ted Hefko worked across
the spectrum of jazz and Latin music.
-Keith Spera, Times-Picayune
Ted Hefko (self titled) 2008
The Ted Hefko Jazz Band with Warren Battiste - 2008
Ted Hefko Sings and Swings with His New Orleans Band -2006
Ted Hefko, Live at the Blue Nile, Frenchmen Street in New Orleans - 2004
Blake Amos: Manifesto - 2008
Anvil Rabbit: Love in Sarchicha -2007
luxo100: postcard - 2007
Idletime, "Time Stops" Louisiana Red Hot Records 2000
Natty Nation: The Journey Has Just Begun - 1995
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Primary Instrument:
Sax, tenor
Location:
New York, NY
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
