While Jeff Barnhart is now a highly regarded pianist, vocalist, arranger, bandleader, recording artist, composer, pedagogue and entertainer, he had very humble beginnings.   Jeff commenced his professional career at age 14 playing and entertaining four nights a week in a restaurant in his home state of Connecticut.   Here he began to learn the classic swing, jazz and ragtime repertoire of the early 20th century.   Jeff put himself through college playing throughout New England including stints with one of his childhood influences, the Galvanized Jazz Band.   In the 1990's he toured the US and Canada, playing most of the major festivals on the circuit.

Jeff is in great demand as a ragtime and stride piano soloist and band pianist at festivals and cruises in all corners of the globe.   He currently manages the Titan Hot 7, one of the most acclaimed jazz bands in the country.   In addition, he leads two bands in the UK; one which concentrates on hot music of the 1920's, and the other which performs small group swing of the 30's.

Jeff enjoys playing dual piano with ragtime pianists Mimi Blais and Brian Holland and has also done so with such jazz luminaries as Ralph Sutton, Neville Dickie, Louis Mazetier and John Sheridan.   Jeff has appeared in Tulsa in front of enthusiastic audiences with both Blais and Holland.   Their earlier performances in Tulsa required that they return for the Centennial event.

In addition to his own CD label, Jazz Alive Records, Jeff has been featured as both pianist and vocalist on over 50 full recordings on six other labels.   He also plays and records ragtime with his wife Anne, a flutist, as Ivory and Gold.