Jeff Barnhart

Jeff Barnhart is an internationally renowned pianist, vocalist, arranger, bandleader, recording artist, ASCAP composer, educator, and entertainer. Jeff shares his mastery of the classic swing, jazz, and ragtime repertoire of the early to mid-20th century with a versatility and vibrant energy that finds him constantly appearing as a soloist, band pianist, and with smaller groups—most notably Ivory&Gold® with his talented wife, flutist/vocalist Anne Barnhart—at parties, festivals, clubs, and cruises throughout the world.

His unsurpassed knowledge of the history of America’s early pop styles and its best current practitioners, combined with his superior “people skills,” has awarded him the position of Musical Director for several acclaimed annual events, including the Eagles&Ivories and Templeton Ragtime and Jazz festivals, the Monterey Jazz Bash by the Bay (as Co-Creative Consultant), and the Essex (CT) Winter Series Jazz Concert.

Jeff has played dual piano with such jazz luminaries as Ralph Sutton, Neville Dickie, Louis Mazetier, John Sheridan, Brian Holland, and Carl Sonny Leyland. He has recorded over 120 full-length albums on, in addition to his own label, Jazz Alive Records, several celebrated labels including Arbors, GHB, Lake Records (UK), and Music Minus One. Reviewer Jack Rummel summed up the reason for Jeff’s popularity, averring, “When it comes to talent, speed, versatility, creativity, mastery of multiple genres and just plain entertaining zaniness, Jeff Barnhart stands alone.”

In addition to his active performance and recording schedule, Jeff is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator. His double BA’s in Music and English, combined with his MA in Education, make Jeff a formidable and entertaining force in clinic, masterclass, and inspirational speaking forums and as a lecturer (with his wife) for Road Scholar with the program called, “Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, Jazz, and the Blues.”