Jeff Black

Missouri-born Jeff Black developed ambitions for a life in music well before reaching adolescence. At age ten he convinced his mother and father to purchase his first guitar. Balancing school and subsequent jobs, he taught himself the instrument along with songwriting and vocal technique. Prior to entering the music industry professionally, he held positions at a filling station, a car wash, a storage facility, and as a doorman at a nightclub. In his early twenties Black began taking the stage at Blayney’s, the blues venue where he worked security. As his audience gradually widened he departed the club to tour nationwide, serving as support for Jerry Jeff Walker, John Prine, and Maria McKee.

By 1996 his profile had risen noticeably. He contributed to sessions alongside Blackhawk, Sam Bush, and Iris Dement. Two years later he assembled drummer Ken Coomer, guitarist and keyboardist Jay Bennett, and bassist John Stirratt to cut the Arista Records album Birmingham Road, which included the songs “Long Way to Go,” “Ghosts in the Graveyard,” “Valley,” and “That’s Just About Right.” Early in 2003 Black issued B-Sides and Confessions, Vol. 1. The collection, built from solo acoustic and minimal trio settings, traded the earlier album’s energy for heightened focus on his distinctive vocals. Initially sold only through his website, the record received an official Dualtone release on March 18, 2003. In 2005 he returned with Tin Lily, another Dualtone project comprising fresh material that proved warm, varied, and more unified overall.