Local Musician Spotlight – Jeffro Hunter
We first got wind of Jeffro Hunter when we were doing the former radio show on community radio KSVY where we focused strictly on local musicians. We received a CD called “Jeffrology III” which immediately beckoned the question; was there a version I and a II? Indeed there was. The album was metal heavy with sweeping arpeggios that rivaled Yngwie J. Malmsteen. But, we were soon to learn there’s no genre of music that Hunter can’t master.
Born in Las Cruses N.M. to an aerospace family, his father worked on the Apollo missions in Whitesands, then to Seattle Wash. where his father worked for Boeing, then in an ironic turn of events, his father ended up being the building inspector in Sonoma Valley in the ‘70s. Hunter grew up in Napa playing in bands and making his way to Sonoma for good in ’94. Hunter can essentially play any genre and is currently working on jazz while he plays in three acts that are completely different from each other, and this Saturday, Jan. 28, you’ll have a chance to see two of them when Wildflower Weed lays down their own original “Hippie Mountain Music” and Tilted Halos playing classic hard rock covers at the El Verano Inn, kicking off at 9 p.m.
Lets get to know Hunter a little more.
1) Many musicians in our generation cite the Beatles on Ed Sullivan as that moment when they knew music was what they wanted to do. When and what was it that made you realize you wanted to be a musician?
JH > It’s kind of funny, when I was young there was a Salvation Army donation box near where I lived and we would dig through it now and then and I grabbed albums. I think whan I heard ‘Get off of my Cloud” by the Rolling Stones did it. I listened to that song over and over.
2) That first instrument you owned. What was it and do you still have it?
JH> My parents bought me a really crappy acoustic guitar when I was really young but the first real guitar I had my mom got me, it was a ’64 Gibson Melody Maker and yes, I still have it and play it.
3) Who are you’re primary influences in your music?
JH > Jimi Hendrix. But many of the British guitar gods helped as well, Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore. My mom had a boyfriend that was a jazz bass player and he introduced me to Curtis Mayfield, then once he found out who I liked he introduced me to who influenced those artists, like Muddy Waters and Miles Davis.
4) What CD or playlist is in your car or your iPod?
JH > Believe it or not lately I’ve been only listening to the local radio station KSVY, I like the late night jazz shows that play the likes of Charlie Parker and Oscar Peterson.
5) Tell us about your current acts.
JH > Wildflower Weed and Tilted Halos are the two primary but I also have the Beverly Beer Bellies which is my hardcore punk-metal act.
6) If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?
JH > “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix, and I say that as that is the kind of thing Hendrix could just play off the top of his head. To be able to just come up with songs like that, man, I wish I had that.
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Set List – The Rundown
Annex Wine Bar, 865 W. Napa St. Sonoma, 938-7779
Tonight, Jan. 27: Hannah and Courtney. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28: Hooper and Sloss. 7:30 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille, 400 First St. E. Sonoma, 938-7110
Tonight, Jan.27: DJ Hi-C. 9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28: DJ Oddeo. 9 p.m.
El Verano Inn, 705 Laurel Ave. El Verano, 935-0611
Saturday, Jan. 28: Tilted Halos and Wildflower Weed. 9 p.m.
Friday Farmers Market, Depot Park, 270 First St W. Sonoma
Today, Jan. 27: Stewart Degner. 9:30 a.m.
HopMonk Tavern, 691 Broadway Sonoma, 935-9100
Tonight, Jan. 27: Het Hat Club. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28: Jeff Campbell. 8 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub, 464 First St. E. Sonoma, 935-0660
Tonight, Jan. 27: RagTag Sullivan. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28: Amy Wigton Trio. 9 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House, 18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs, 938-7587
Tonight, Jan. 27: Reggae Night with Byron Borges. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28: Karaoke. 7:30 p.m.
Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall, 452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma, 996-1364
Tonight, Jan. 27: Ryan Tatarian. 6:30 p.m. John Allair and Julia Harrell. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28: Full Circle. 5 p.m. Sean Carscadden. 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan.29: Frankie Bourne, 5 p.m. Acoustic Blues Jam. 8:30 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building, 126 First St. W. Sonoma, 938-4105
Native Sons crab feed.
Saturday, Jan. 28: The Mojo Filter. 6 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club, 574 First St. E., 938-8313
Saturday, Jan. 28: Hawaiian Jam Session with Del Medina. 2 p.m.
The Reel (formerly Rossi’s), 401 Grove St. El Verano, 343-0044
Tonight, Jan. 27: Dan Martin, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28: Rubber Soul acoustic Beatles tribute. 8:30 p.m.
If your gig isn’t in my column, you didn’t tell me about it. jmberry@sonomamusic.com