PHOTO BY LOREN MATTHEW

Producer/Songwriter/Arranger/Artist Jeff Golkin is lovingly referred to as the “Man of Melody” by his fellow musicians for his gift of identifying and composing timeless melodies. A self-trained drummer and pianist, his musical career began early on, tapping along on the back of Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass album covers with spoons while listening to the wondrous sounds emanating from the family hi-fi. Jeff’s first drum kit, a set of blue sparkle Ludwigs, was very therapeutic for the young, high-energy Jeff, but tough on the ears of his family and neighbors. Undaunted, the energetic young artist blissfully soldiered on in his musical endeavors, referred to by the stage manager of the Broadway musical, The Happy Time, as his "favorite roughneck".

 

Jeff’s many early musical heroes included Herb Alpert, Burt Bacharach and the 5th Dimension as well as the more mellow musings of the Carpenters, Barry Manilow and Paul Williams. As Jeff further developed as a musician, he was drawn to the music of jazz greats Joe Sample, Wes Montgomery, Earl Klugh and David Benoit as well as the many legendary works of the iconic artist/producer Quincy Jones. The influences of these artists, combined with Jeff’s love for smooth and relaxing easy listening composers like Henry Mancini, John Williams and Jackie Gleason, inspired Jeff to compose his own songs at the piano, which touch the heart, like the creations of his musical heroes did. Jeff has since released albums of his own original musical compositions, combined with his uniquely reimagined renderings of some of his favorite songs by many of his early musical mentors, with his group Jeff Golkin & Forever Love.  These labors of love have developed into a style and feel that is instantly recognizable as his, as the “Man of Melody” continues to grow in his artistic vision.

 

Inspiration for the latest album in Jeff Golkin’s musical odyssey, Orchestra in the Pit-A Tribute to Broadway, was drawn from his time spent on stage, surrounded by the lights, music and excitement of Broadway.  At an early and impressionable age, Jeff appeared in several Broadway and off-Broadway shows, including two national tours and repeat appearances on primetime musical variety shows which starred legendary musical guests of the time. The young budding artist had the great fortune to work alongside and be mentored by Broadway legends such as Bernadette Peters, Robert Goulet, David Wayne, Robert Morse, E.J. Peaker, Julie Gregg, John Kander, Fred Ebb, Richard Kiley, John Payne, Janis Paige, Lisa Kirk, and Melissa Hart, among others.  This incredible period of his life left an indelible mark upon his musical DNA. 

 

These experiences heavily guided Jeff’s vision for his latest album…to create new and unique lyrical and instrumental expressions that pull the heartstrings of songs from the rich pantheon of Broadway songwriters that had deep personal meaning to him, to shed a new light on songs that should have been more revered in their time due to their timeless melodies, and to invite the audience to share in the excitement and exhilaration of the music and orchestrations he experienced on the Broadway stage.  Jeff Golkin & Forever Love’s Orchestra in the Pit-A Tribute to Broadway does just that and so much more! 

 

Jeff continues his musical journey to touch the hearts of his audience, spreading love, positivity and his heartfelt belief that "Love of another, greater than love of oneself, is to know the joy of how to make the world a better place for all time."