For his family, I apologize for the lateness of my comments. Though I didn’t know Jeff pesonaly, I have known him from the circuit for years.

Jeff had the beginnings for the blues. Adopted as an infant. Lost his sight when he was eight months old (cancer of the eyes). His eyes had to be surgically removed, and he was given artificial replacements.

All before he was one. Enough for anyone to have blues in his soul and he did. He also had soul and a wry sense of humor. And love. He understood how to love think. I hear it in his lyrics.

Music is a hard vocation. It can take you down roads you don’t want to travel. But I never heard anything said on the road about Jeff that others weren’t saying.

38 years later he sucombs to a simalar cancer.

God said enough and called him home.

He left us with a legacy of love and the BLUES with a Capital “B”.

He was not your AVERAGE WHITE BOY

I picked up the guitar after 20 some years of rock and roll drumming and blues sound engineering. I had always wanted to play guitar but thought I couldn’t. I hadn’t heard of Jeff before that. I was working with JB Hutto and the Hawks in Seattle, WA (an arthritic, not very good chord player, but a hell of a slide player and writer). He knew of a white blind kid in Toronto that he said was what was coming and that even a white boy like me could have hope. JB had a wry sense of humor also.

I listened but I didn’t get it. After many years I saw the film “Road House” which opened my eyes to what JB had said. Jeff was the future of blues.

With his loss, we are at a loose ends and a crossroads again. No one I have heard can do him justice. He was an original. As they said when I was younger;) He marched to a different drummer. That is how all the greats are.

Jeff is playing with JB now and JB’s hands are no more arthitic and Jeff has “Angel Eyes” and is no more blind.

God Bless you Jeff –
You taught an old musician that it is fun to play, years after his prime.

Many didn’t get you.

Love You Son –
You left the party much to early.

I look forward to seeing you soon. I habve missed JB for years and you but lately but I will be there sooner than I want. Keep a chair open for me. I am a better drummer that I ever will be a guitar palyer but maybe in heavan it will be different.

Love You for who you were…

Byron Larson
Seattle, WA

I had looked forward to seeing Jeff live, but never managed it, now alas it will never happen. Still Jeff has left quite a legacy, why do these great artists get struck down at such early stages of their being?

I send my heart felt condolences to Jeff’s family, he will be sorely missed.

To Patrick and family, I hope his final weeks are comfortable and provide him with quality time.

Regards,
A sad Matt West from – Essex, England (UK)

Great show…keep it going and total respect to you.