Jeff Charles

Biography

Known for Stone Tone, Jeff Charles picked up the guitar when the Beatles hit Ed Sullivan, and never looked back. Hooked by the guitar-driven music of the 60's, he set off on a path to find a unique solo voice. Growing up outside of Atlanta, Jeff played in bands from the age of 10, with a deep Southern influence, and discovered a deep satisfaction in rousing a crowd that lasts to this day.

Moving to Florida for High School brought a different climate and a different culture. The music got harder and louder, with Florida backdrops from Key West to Pensacola, and all points in between. All the time, working on tone and technique, with the influence of the great three piece power bands as inspiration: Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Mountain, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, so many others.

Horn bands and Hammonds became a part of Jeff's musical soul, working with some Southern greats including Steve Miller in Cape Canaveral, Florida and his son Trent Miller on guitar. A stint with Leslie and Joe of the Baby Blues Band was invaluable experience, but the Great Pacific Northwest was calling the flatland Florida boy.

One attraction in moving to Seattle for Jeff was in following the path of his great Georgia brother Ray Charles, who became a tremendous influence on Jeff, along with Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and, later in the 90's, the incomparable Warren Haynes.

Moving to Seattle and parts north in 1994, Jeff put together Geezer in Skagit County, playing good rocking dance music, and went on the form the J Charles Band, rocking venues and parties all across the valley, hosting Gary B's Church of the Blues jam every Sunday in Sedro Woolley for over 120 weekends straight.

Jeff prefers Paul Reed Smith guitars, with assorted Fenders, Danelectros, Guilds, and Gibsons, and plays any Fender Deluxe/Super/Twin/SuperTwin Reverb amp, alongside a Dr. Z Route 66, and uses a Hermida Audio Zendrive for the final, magic touch of tone.