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Jeff Elsloo has been playing bluegrass banjo and dobro
for about 40 years. On the journey he has played in many
bands, and in a lot of different styles of music, never venturing
far from the Kansas City area. His grandfather was a fiddler
and square dance caller and almost everyone in the family
played and sang. There was even a family band. Some early
public school training on cello was followed by his discovery of the
banjo in grandpa's basement - try as he could he could not get the
sound on Bonnie And Clyde movie. All that was needed, he found out,
was a fifth string. And he was off.....
The path has included flirtations with almost every instrument with strings,
but Jeff decided to make his specialties the banjo and dobro. Tenor banjo and
mandolin come next, then others. Except for a few months of banjo lessons,
Jeff is mostly self taught, as there weren't the vast amounts of music and
tablature we have today. Or anybody to teach folk instruments, either. He
credits his early grounding in classical/written music for a lot of his early
success in understanding and playing the musics he loved. But he still had to
get solos and backup parts by slowing down the records and "diggin' it out".
And still does.
Jeff has been giving lessons in the Kansas City area for most of the time
he has been playing, and has taught many people over the years to enjoy their
chosen instruments and music, and to play with others. With our new studio,
he looks forward to continuing that.
"Wether you want to just play a few tunes for your own amusement,
enjoyment or play with others in jamming or band situations, I believe I can
help you. I've spent years de-mystifying music and playing an instrument for
myself and others, and I'll show you what I've discovered. By ear, tablature, or
whatever works for you, (because people learn differently) I'll help you get out
of it what you want. I'll be happy to do a consultation with you."
Jeff’s Music Download Page
