Bio
Jeff Consi is a New York drummer who currently lives and works in Melbourne, Australia. Jeff is most known for his work with guitarist Nuno Bettencourt from the multi-platinum selling band Extreme.
With a career spanning over thirty years so far, Jeff has been fortunate enough to perform in the studio and/or live with the following artists and producers:
Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), Gary Cherone (Extreme), Suze DeMarchi (Baby Animals), Will Lee (David Letterman Band), Anthony J. Resta (Missing Persons) T.M. Stevens (Joe Cocker), Jack Douglas (John Lennon/Aerosmith), Cory Glover (Living Colour), Frank Filapetti (James Taylor, Elton John), John Goodman (Blues Brothers 2000), Irwin Thomas, David Franj (Shock Records), Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Rogue Traders), Christian Argenti (Invertigo), Alan Fletcher (Waiting Room/Neighbours TV Show), Jerome Smith(Divinyls), Wilbur Wilde(Skyhooks), Phil Manning(Independant), Broderick Smith(Independant)
Quotes from the Industry
“Jeff has one of the best pockets and phatest backbeats I’ve had the pleasure of recording! His creativity, technique and instincts for what’s best for the song are all excellent. A pleasure to work with.”
Anthony J. Resta | Collective Soul, Elton John, Duran Duran, Megadeth
“Jeff is one of the best drummers I’ve come across in the last decade.”
David Krebs | Aerosmith, AC/DC, Ted Nugent
“The way Jeff Consi plays drums has given me a completely new perspective on drumming. His taste, energy and professionalism make him in my opinion one of the best drummers anywhere in the world. His power and feel are infectious, enjoyable to work with.”
Christian Argenti | Invertigo
“You’re the meat and potatoes!”
Rick Dufay | Aerosmith guitarist
Current iPod Playlist
View Jeff’s MySpace site
http://www.myspace.com/jeffconsi
Press
- Modern Drummer Nov 2001
- Billboard Magazine
- Drumscene Magazine Jan 2008
Drum Endorsements
- Yamaha Drums
- Vic Firth Drumsticks
- Zildjian Cymbals
- Rhythm Tech Percussion
- Grover Pro Percussion Snare Drums
Musical History
Coming from family of drummers, Jeff began playing drums at age five. His father was a New York City recording engineer, as well as the drummer on Tommy James & the Shondells “Mony Mony”, so music was always a part of his upbringing. From the Jackson 5, Earth Wind & Fire, and Barry White records to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zep, and the Who, Jeff was always playing along with the greats.
Early on, he was fusing the flavors of John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, and Bill Ward into his own solid style of playing. Having an early start gave him the experience of his first 24-track recording at the ripe age of 12, then onto playing clubs shortly after.
By the beginning of the 1990’s, Jeff started making his way through the Long Island music scene, which led to playing shows in and around Manhattan. He did sessions, cover gigs, and worked the original band scene in New York. He eventually landed the drum spot on commercials for Comedy Central and Ferrarri.
In 1997, he made the move in to Manhattan’s East Village where he started getting a buzz happening for session work and live dates with a few city bands. He also started to branch out a bit, sitting in with the Dark Star Lounge house band on Wednesday nights, and also with the China Club house band on Thursday nights, which gave him the chance to play with some of New York’s finest musicians.
At the end of 1998, Jeff answered an ad placed in Manhattan’s Manny’s Music which was for an audition with guitarist Nuno Bettencourt(Extreme). Not really expecting anything would happen, he actually got a call from Nuno saying he liked what he heard. After convincing Jeff that it was really him on the line, Nuno set a date for the audition with his new band, Mourning Widows, with Donovan Bettencourt holding down the bass.
The audition was quick and from that moment, they knew that this would be the band for the upcoming Japan tour. After the tour, they would figure out what to do next. What came next was Jeff filling the drum seat with Nuno for nearly three years. During that time he completed two albums, a music video, and two tours in Japan, as well as dates in the US and overseas.
With a career spanning nearly 25 years so far, Jeff has performed live and/or recorded with such greats as Will Lee(David Letterman Band), Gary Cherone(Extreme), Suze DeMarchi(Baby Animals), Anthony J. Resta(Missing Persons), Jack Douglas(John Lennon/Aerosmith), T.M. Stevens(Independant), Adam Bomb, Cory Glover(Living Colour), Frank Filapetti(James Taylor, Elton John), and actor John Goodman.
In 2002, he moved to Melbourne, Australia with his wife and daughter. When his drums finally arrived from New York, he started teaching and networking again with the contacts he made while rehearsing in Melbourne with Nuno in 1999.
Since then, Jeff has had the opportunity of playing around the country and overseas with some of Australia’s finest musicians by laying down the foundation behind such acts as David Franj(Shock Records), Natalie Bassingthwaighte(Rogue Traders), Christian Argenti(Invertigo), Alan Fletcher(Waiting Room/TVs Neighbours), K.P.S. Jam, Broadford Stash, Matt Hetherington, The Borderers, and the mighty Tommy Rando Band.