Jeff Taylor

Neil Young Acoustic Tribute Soloist

2009

Jeff Taylor

Neil Young Acoustic Tribute Soloist

2008

Just Jeffrey Acoustic Soloist

2005

Hunter and McCabe Acoustic Duo

1995-1997

Shakin' Jake Acoustic Soloist

1993-1997

Jeff Taylor's Drum Kit with classic rock cover band "Montana"

1994-1996

Jeff Taylor Keyboardist for

"The Magic Band"

1995-1996

Jeff Taylor (Drums) and Gary Hilton (Guitar) Newspaper clip

1975

Jeff Taylor age 13

with first guitar

1972

Jeff Taylor has been a performing musician since his introduction to the saxophone in elementary school in 1968. At age 13 he learned to play the drums and shortly thereafter the acoustic guitar.

During the 70's, teenager Jeff played with many rock bands as a drummer. But, with his musical versatility he also performed with folk duo's, trio's and soloist as guitarist and vocalist. Performing venues such as the televised Jerry Lewis March of Dimes Telethon in 1979, the street fairs at Mardi-Gras French Quarter in New Orleans, countless beach parties and other local entertainment venues where the teenagers of that era enjoyed listening to the music of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, America, James Taylor, Harry Chapin and many other famous musicians highlighting that period in time.

The 80's held a special place for Jeff. In his twenties he married and fathered 4 children where he remains a devoted husband and parent to this day. Time did not allow Jeff to play many venues during this period, raising a new family superseded his performing live ambitions. But that did not stop his passion for playing his beloved instruments. Although he played short spurts as a soloist musician and half of the acoustic duo ¹"Jeff and Chris" at small pubs, he mostly played for family and friends and began writing, composing and recording his own songs and initiated his desire to learn the piano.

The 90's however were much different. Jeff's craving for performing live again was profoundly intense. He assumed the stage name of "Shakin' Jake" and performed as a soloist musician performing his acoustic repertoire of 60's and 70's music. He performed every Tuesday at the Brian's Steak House and Lounge in South Hill Virginia, every Wednesday at Sullivan's Restaurant and Tavern in Blackstone Virginia and every Thursday at Daysey Jean's Lake Country Inn and Tavern in Lawernceville Virginia. On August 31st, 1996, he performed his first 2 hour Neil Young solo tribute show on stage at Daysey Jean's for the Labor Day holiday.

Jeff has performed as half of the acoustic duo ²"Hunter and McCabe". He performed as keyboardist for the 7 piece R&B band "The Magic Band" who played the 4th of July concert for an audience of 5,000+/- at the Veterans Memorial Park in Emporia Virginia. Shakin' Jake was also the drummer for the classic rock band "Junior Justice and the Catbirds" and "Montana" who performed at Todd's Place in Crewe Virginia and other various nightclubs in Blackstone, Richmond and Petersburg Virginia.
 

After taking a break for several years of performing, Jeff has returned to his true passion for playing solo with his array of acoustic guitars, piano and harmonicas. This time however, he has decided to perform as a "unique" tribute act honoring his all time favorite musician Neil Young. During the first half of the new millennium, Jeff has added over 70 Neil Young songs to his repertoire; giving him over 100 songs to perform for just about any request a venue patron may have. Jeff's Neil Young tribute show is much like an "unplugged version" of Neil himself. The only real difference is that Jeff doesn't pretend to look like Neil, but his musical talent and vocals certainly gives the audience the sound and feel of a live Neil Young acoustic performance.

¹ Jeff Taylor and Chris Gordon, Virginia Beach Acoustic Duo 1984-1986

² Deny Reardon (Hunter) and Jeff Taylor (McCabe), Blackstone Virginia Acoustic Duo 1994-1996

Jeff Taylor Drummer for

"Junior Justice and the Catbirds"

1995-1997

Jeff Taylor Soloist

1987-1989

Jeff and Chris Acoustic Duo

1983-1986

Jeff Taylor (left) with the

"HCB Acoustic Trio"

(Tina Boris-middle, David Craft-right)

Performing live on the televised

Jerry Lewis March of Dimes Telethon

1979