Jeff Irwin

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Jeff Irwin

Background information
Birth name	Jeffrey Matthew Irwin
Born	September 12, 1977 (age 29) in Creve Couer, Missouri, USA
Genre(s)	Alternative, experimental, electronica, jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)	piano, violin, viola, trumpet, guitar, bass guitar, contrabass, baritone horn, euphonium horn, drums, synthesizers, melodica, mandolin, tin whistle, alto recorder, cowbell
Years active	1995-present
Label(s)	Rocketown Records for Taylor Sorensen, Netwerk for Griffin House, Rough Trade for Cerys Matthews, Columbia/Aware for Mat Kearney
Website	[1] [2]
Notable instrument(s)
1977-78 Fender Jazz Bass, Ashdown Bass Magnifier

Jeff Irwin (a.k.a. "the Yeti") is an East Nashville, Tennessee based multi-instrumentalist. He has performed with Griffin House,^[1], Cerys Matthews (formerly of Catatonia), Mat Kearney,Taylor Sorensen & the Trigger Code^[2], and many others including the Counting Crows.

1 Biography
2 Influences
3 Selected Recordings
4 References

[edit] Biography

Born in Creve Coeur, Missouri, Irwin grew up in St. Louis county. Growing up he studied piano, violin (learning the Suzuki method), viola, trumpet, guitar, bass guitar, contrabass, baritone horn, and various synthesizers. Irwin also received vocal training by participating in various area choirs. He wrote and performed an overture for his 4th grade class' musical production of "Magellan."

By the time he reached high school, he formed his first band, coyly named, The Mafia. The band was focused on both performing cover songs and writing original music. The Mafia were so adept, that they sometimes doubled as an instrumental jazz combo, playing parties and corporate functions. This was a catalyst for his involvement in school orchestras, jazz ensembles, choirs, and musical productions. In 1995, Jeff started playing solo acoustic "coffehouse" performances. Irwin began exploring the work of other songwriters like Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos, Sting, and U2.

In college, Irwin performed more as a bassist than as a singer/songwriter. From 1996-1999, while living in Bolivar, Missouri and Springfield, Missouri, he played in a ska band as well as various jazz groups. In 1999, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Belmont University. He immediately began writing and performing with numerous groups, from rock bands to orchestras.