Department of Music : Faculty

Jeff Siegel

Adjunct Instructor of MusicJeff Siegel
Applied Jazz Percussion, Jazz Combos

Drummer Jeff “Siege” Siegel is leader of the Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet as well as co-leader of the Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson Trio and The New York Trio Project.  He was a member of the Sir Roland Hanna Trio from 1994-1999.  He studied drums with Freddie Waits, Barry Altschul and Akira Tana.  He received his B.F.A. from City College in New York City, as well as his M.A. in Jazz from Queens College where he studied composition with Jimmy Heath.  He is critically acclaimed in the October ‘92 edition of Modern Drummer  magazine for his work on Ryan Kisor’s Columbia Records debut “Minor Mutiny”, a date for which Siegel was chosen by its producer Jack DeJohnette.  He regularly performs throughout Europe at festivals, clubs and concerts.  Siegel has conducted drums clinics throughout Germany and the United States.   As part of the International Association of Schools of Jazz, Siegel has taught combos of international students in Italy and Latvia.  Most recently, Siegel’s quartet was featured at the Sud Tirol Alto Adige Jazz Festival in Bolzano, Italy (June, 2008).  In addition to his work as a player and composer, Siegel also produced the upcoming cd/dvd release “Lee Shaw Trio Live in Graz” on ARC Records.

Siegel has also performed and/or recorded with Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Douglas, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Frank Foster, David “Fathead” Newman, Lee Konitz,  Frank Wess, Nick Brignola, J.R. Monterose, John Stubblefield, Arthur Rhames, Eric Person, Joanne Brackeen, Lee Shaw, Rufus Reid, Cecil McBee, Stefon Harris, Karl Berger, Richard Stoltzman, Romero Lubambo, Warren Bernhardt,  Jay Clayton,  Kurt Elling, Mose Allison, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Etta Jones, Carrie Smith, Grady Tate, Judi Silvano, Cecil Bridgewater, Johnny Coles, Terrell Stafford, Baikida Carroll, Valery Ponomarev, Wadada Leo Smith, Grahm Haynes, Steve Turre, Terrell Stafford, John Abercrombie, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Howard Johnson, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Karole Armitage Dance Company with composer Jeffrey Lohn, Second Sight and several others.  He received first prize in the International Grande Contest de Jazz, San Sebastian, Spain, as a member of the CCNY Jazz Quintet as well as third place for best soloist award.

Siegel is the jazz drumming instructor at both Western Connecticut State University and The State University of New York at New Paltz.  He is head of the percussion department of the National Guitar Workshop as well.  Siegel has received several Meet the Composer grants.  He is endorsed by Vic Firth drumsticks.

“…a brilliant drummer”—Armen Donelian, Jazz World
“…He is so tasty as a percussionist and hasbecome a fine composer/arranger with a good melodic concept and harmonic depth—Jimmy Heath
“…A major performative and compositional talent…Siege reminds one of a blend of Brian Blade and Andrew Cyrille or a player out of both the Max Roach “melodic” academy and the polyrhythmic school of Elvin Jones.”—Bob Margolis, Ulster Publishing Almanac
“…Siegel’s compositions are original and colorful”—Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
“…an inspired percussionist”—Andre Maub, Bordeaux-Loisirs
“…forward energy and abundantly attractive ideas”—Hal Howland, Modern Drummer
“…plus there is Siegel the instrumentalist, active, inventive, experimentive — all without being overpowering or overplaying”—George Chevalier, Woodstock Times
“…His playing is always tasteful whether it be in forceful, intense situations or in quiet
supporting roles.  His writing is intriguing.”—Carlos Aamolla, Green Mountain Jazz     
       Messenger
“…He’s one of those rare, instinctive, “auric” drummers, who assimilates and colors as he stick-paints.”—Kitty Montgomery, Daily Freeman
“…The phrase ‘melodic’ drummer may sound, to some ears, like an oxymoron.  But chances are that anyone who thinks so hasn’t caught Jeff “Siege” Siegel of the Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson Trio.”—Mikhail Horowitz, Woodstock Times

DISCOGRAPHY (selected)

Live in Europe, Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet, ARC Records
Magical Spaces,  Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet, CAP Records
Dreamstuff, Jeff Marx/Jeff “Siege” Siegel, Ayler Records
Brazilian Wish, Matt Finley
Minor Mutiny, Ryan Kisor, Columbia Records
Arthur Rhames Trio Live From Soundscape, Arthur Rhames, D.I.W. Records
Lee Shaw Trio Live in Graz, ARC Records
Originals,  Lee Shaw Trio, Islandview Records
A Place For Jazz, Lee Shaw Trio, Cadence  Records
Little Friend, Lee Shaw Trio, Luvlee Records
Fifth House, New York Trio Project, Imaginary Records
Get Out of Town,  Siegel & Ferguson, Imaginary Records
Triologue, Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson, Imaginary Records
Panorama, Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson w/ Valery Ponomarev, Imaginary   Records
Points of View, Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson, Imaginary Records
One of a Kind, Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson, Imaginary Records
Maya the Bee, Nancy Harrow and Sir Roland Hanna, Harbinger Records
Flying With the Comet, Second Sight, Sun Jump Records
Great Unknown, Jeff Marx, Naugual Records
Up Until Now, Mark Dziuba, Joobtone Records
Music from Paradise, Jeffrey Lohn, Daisy Records
Alique’s Song, Steve Geraci, Beat City Records
A Spell Like This, Katie Bowen, Eleven: Eleven Records
Humans Don’t Fly, Katie Bowen, Eleven Eleven Records
Moonlight and Mistletoe, Eileen Fulton, Eilful Productions
I Think About You, Eileen Fulton, Eilful Productions

 

Contact: siegelf@wcsu.educreate new email

www.jeffsiegeljazz.com 
www.sonicbids.com/jeffsiegel (electronic press kit)
myspace.com/jeffsiegelquartet