Rod Jeffery

Rod has been singing professionally for something in excess of 25 years and is regarded by both his fans and musical peers alike as being one of the finest blues singers in the country. he has been described by Dr. (A.J.) Bruce Johnson, jazz trumpeter and author of the 'Oxford Companion to Australian Jazz', as singing "the most heartfelt version, since the original was done by Billie Holiday" of the classic jazz tune, 'God Bless The Child', which appears on the recent U.K. release of the CD album, 'Tony Barnard’s All Hat Jazz'. Recorded in Sydney in 1990 and receiving a great deal of airtime and acclaim on the BBC jazz programs, the album also features Rod on two other tracks, both written by himself, that also appear on the Beachhead's Blues cassette released locally, and independently, in December 1993. This was re-released on CD in 2008 with additional material. He is renowned for having a five octave vocal range, a rarity, and over the past few years he is singing better than ever before. Among his own personal appearances are, Manly Jazz Festival (1985/86/90/97), Melbourne Homegrown Blues Festival (1989/90), Thredbo Jazz Festival (1990/95), Powers' 'Big River' Music Festival, Brisbane (1991/92), the Mazda Montsalvat Jazz Festival (1992/93), Parkes Jazz Triduum (1987/88/92), Lithgow Blues Music Festival (1993/94/95), the East Coast Blues Festival at Byron Bay (1994), the inaugural Grafton Jazz & Blues Festival (1994), Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues (1994), Thredbo Blues/’Legends of Blues’ Music Festivals (1995/99) the Dubbo Jazz Festival (1992/1993/1998) & the inaugural Bathurst Jazz Festival (1999). While in Melbourne for the 1989 Homegrown Blues Festival, Rod was asked to appear in an episode of the legendary ABC-TV music program 'Jazz AZ Now' dedicated specifically to ‘the Blues’ and featuring himself and Australian-based African-American singer, Larry Weems. The program first aired on October 3rd, 1990 and was repeated in June the following year. Between May 1988 and March 1993, he was singer with 'All Hat Jazz' during their long and very successful Sunday afternoon residency at Balmain's famous Unity Hall Hotel and the United Kingdom, Japan and United States releases of their self-titled album is resulting in his receiving further acclaim as one of the great white blues singers. In March 2003 he and the band appeared at the Canberra Blues'n'Rock Festival, he aalso appeared later that month at the Bruthen Blues Bash in East Gippsland, Victoria as a 'special guest' singing with both a local band, 'Lotus' and again solo and a'cappella at the Blues Gospel Service.

After an approximate five year break, the band again played at the 2008 Australian Blues Music Festival in Goulburn (as seen on YouTube), the first Annual Central Coast Blues Festival in Gosford NSW (renamed the Gosford City Blues Festival for 2009) and will be repeating the performance again in June 2009. Rod was also given the honour of a 'special' gig in Canberra on June 14, 2008 to celebrate his 56th birthday supported by his own guitarist Gary Dale and numerous local musicians. The Beachhead band finished 2008 off with a performance at the annual 'Blues Across the Bay' Festival at Patonga on the New South Wales Central Coast. Footage of this can also be found at YouTube. Show less