Rod 'BEACHHEAD' Jeffery
Vocalist/Leader
| 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. 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 MUSIC FESTIVAL (1995/99) the DUBBO JAZZ FESTIVAL (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 ABCTV music program 'Jazz AZ NOW' dedicated specifically to ‘the Blues’ and featuring himself and 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. |
 BEACHHEAD: the band  Gary 'GUITAR' Dale  Raoul Hawkins  Adam 'TREV' Barnard |
 Contact - Rod 'Beachhead' Jeffery |
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