He started playing guitar at age 13 and fell in love with the instrument immediately. Soon after he began learning the solos of Steve Vai, John Petrucci, and Buckethead. He later attended the University of North Florida for Jazz Studies where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree. While working toward his Master of Music degree at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Jeff served as an Associate Instructor for IU’s Jazz Department: directing big bands, coaching combos, and teaching music students enrolled in classes and applied guitar lessons.