Jeff Rolka
Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Saxophone, Vocals

Citing influences such as Sting (and The Police), Jeff Buckley, Jack Johnson, and The Beatles, the talented trio has already made an impact on the San Francisco music scene. This comes as no surprise considering the elegant writing of Jeff Rolka, whose works have graced some of San Francisco’s clubs including The Hotel Utah, The Bottom of the Hill, and The Tongue and Groove. His talent for turning sparse reflection into a dance along groove is augmented by the diverse drumming styles of Leo Tallman. Michael Woods has a multitude of guitar styles under his belt, and uses these liberally to spice up the three piece’s sound.

The Jeff Rolka Band’s first release is due soon, and will be available in online stores, at the iTunes music store, on Jeff's website, and most likely, several filesharing services.

Among Jeff’s other recording credits in the rock genre, he has produced several excellent works. Including another trio, Erehwon, Jeff recorded and released a self-titled EP. Shortly after that, in the group Sci-Fi, Jeff was instrumental in the recording and release of the EP Green Men Are Here. Each of these releases features several of Jeff’s tunes, and both utilize Jeff as their bass player and lead vocalist. On Green Men Are Here Jeff is also credited with playing keyboards and doing his own backing vocal tracks, as well as arranging the tunes and programming the sampler used during the recording and live performances of the group.

As a saxophonist, Jeff has several credits with the group Once There, where he is featured as the soprano saxophonist for this jazz rock ensemble. Playing Rasalla’s Jazz Club, and other crossover clubs such as the Galia in downtown San Francisco, Jeff can be heard many nights stretching out in odd meter advanced harmony improvisations.

In addition to Jeff Rolka’s popular music credits, he has also been released on several different labels for his work in the classical realm. Featured in a saxophone quartet for Michael Kowalski’s Gringo Blaster, a piece for saxophone quartet, percussion quartet and conga moderator, he has been released in Europe and America on Einstein and Equilibrium Records.

Jeff Rolka, Kelland Thomas, and Timothy McAllister, have also been released worldwide on the University of Arizona’s UARC label, the Millenium Tribute to Adolf Sax Vol. III performing Doo- Dah by William Albright. This remains the definitive recording of this piece, approved of by the composer only shortly before his untimely death.

In his efforts to proliferate new music, Jeff has done several U.S. and world premiers including a commissioned work by jazz saxophonist and composer Pete Carney.

Having come from a long list of world renowned teachers including Andrew Balent, Alayne Reever, Denise Fest, Leonard Schemm, Phil Holm, Marianne Pluger, and Donald Sinta, Jeff endeavors to reach the youth of today in the musical arts by spending four days each week teaching general music education and band at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in the Diocese of Oakland. Basing his curriculum on what he wished he’d been taught in 5th grade music class, Jeff offers his knowledge and passion to young minds and makes the history, theory, and composition of music accessible and fun for ages 8-13. The growth resulting from his endeavors has granted him consecutive contracts for several years and inspired the community to construct a new music center to expand his program.

booking@jeffrolka.com
510-435-1407
Oakland, CA