Sep 8, 2021
I’m flipping the TV channels when I see something that makes me have a flashback to my childhood. I remember standing next to my best friend Jeff Babko in the backyard near a kiddie pool. We loved putting on skits and performing at his house as kids. Then, we got older and lost touch as I got into softball and moved to Hawaii for college while he studied music in Miami. So imagine my surprise when I stopped on Jimmy Kimmel’s show one day and saw a very familiar face. It was Jeff!
I had to invite him on the show for a walk down memory lane. And he’s got plenty of stories to share about his musical career and travels, working with other musicians, and especially collaborating with comedians like Steve Martin and Martin Short. We talk all about it, as well as performance (whether it’s music, improv, or storytelling) and key elements necessary for making a connection with your audience.
What you will learn in this episode:
Who is Jeff?
Born and raised in southern California, Jeff Babko has lived on the West Coast for his entire career of television, film, and live performances. After graduating from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, he began touring internationally with Julio Iglesias, then joined the group, Toto, to tour Europe. He’s also recorded and toured with musical stars like Smokey Robinson, Yo-Yo Ma, Frank Ocean, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, and John Mayer, among many others.
On the TV side of things, Jeff’s most significant work has to be the past 18 years as the musical arranger, co-composer, and house band member of Jimmy Kimmel Live. But he’s always kept his toes dipped in comedy too. His TV work actually began on Martin Short’s syndicated talk show at the turn of the century. In fact, he still regularly performs with Short and Steve Martin. Jeff has also been on the Emmy award-winning Wayne Brady daytime show and even worked as an Emmy show composer, arranger, and orchestra member for three years.
People have enjoyed his performances at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and the White House for the Obamas and the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel. His work is even featured on the musical scores of several movies like Toy Story 4, Frozen 2, and Pixar’s Luca. But today, Jeff and his wife, violinist Songa Lee, produce music from their studio in the San Fernando Valley and regularly perform as a duo in Paso Robles, CA
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