---

Jeff's Backstory
"San Francisco is my home, and thanks to digital technology the world is my audience," says Jeff, who grew up to the sound of jazz musicians jamming after hours in his family’s Manhattan apartment. Now you can catch Jeff playing on San Francisco's Fillmore Street and elsewhere in the Bay Area, including as keyboard player with the blues band Bohemian Knuckleboogie.

Jeff's early lessons about playing in the pocket came from his father, Frank Orchard, who for 40 years played valve trombone with such jazz greats as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Bobby Hackett, Lips Page and many others. At Nick’s in Greenwich Village, Jimmy Ryan’s on 52nd Street, Minton’s in Harlem or on the road with Joe Thomas’ band (rooming with Omar Simeon) Frank Orchard's music filled the air.

Jeff’s mom, Peggy Lane, was the featured singer in The Frank Orchard Hot 4 with Ginger Added. Her parents were Broadway show folk. Jeff's grandfather Jack Reinhard was a leading man in the Ziegfield Follies and early silent films. Jeff's grandmother Viva Renaud toured the European continent with her dance act Haskell and Renaud.

While still a youth, Jeff made his professional debut in the summer of 1976 as a sideman for Roy Eldridge at Jimmy Ryan’s, the last remaining 52nd Street club. After his stint with Roy, Jimmy Ryan’s kept Jeff as a single. Forming a duo with his dad Frank, Orchard & Orchard played four nights a week at Cafe Un, Deux, Trois on West 44th Street while filling their free nights at Jimmy Ryan’s or the Star & Garter. Jeff also kept busy playing solo in hotels like the Algonquin and at private parties and catered affairs.

By the mid-1980s Frank died; clubs closed. Jeff got a job at a hospital, worked his way through college, went to law school and became a public defender. When the 21st century dawned, Jeff started playing again. Only now, he’s even better.


A superb vocalist in his own right, Jeff can hook up with a bevy of chanteuses and dancers at a moment’s notice. A soloist par excellence, Jeff can also provide a band of the best sidemen in town.

Also, please be sure to check out Jeff's blues recordings with Bohemian Knuckleboogie, including the band's latest release, "The Latrocinor." Other Knuckleboogie blues/roots releases with Jeff on keys are "Digital Daydreams & Innuendo" and "The Show."

You're listening to Jeff playing "Billie's Bounce," a Charlie Parker tune.

To hear more of Jeff on keys, and learn about his availability as a teacher and accompanist, click on a button to the left. The music plays automatically in a few seconds. In order to hear, your computer's volume has to be turned on and up.

Scroll down and see Jeff playing at some San Francisco venues. And if you'd like to be emailed about Jeff's public performances, drop him a line:  jefforchardjazz@gmail.com

---

Jeff helps to keep the party rolling on keys with Bohemian Knuckleboogie at the legendary Boom Boom Room in San Francisco's Fillmore District.



At the Elbo Room in San Francisco's Mission District, Jeff lays down his boogie woogie keys with Bohemian Knuckleboogie.

---

JEFF ENTERTAINS AT SAN FRANCISCO private parties, like a dinner atop the historic Westin St. Francis Hotel on Union Square for top transplant surgeons.

---

In a trio setting, Jeff Orchard as a cabaret muscial director.

---

JEFF, CENTER, WITH CONGA PLAYER SANTIE HUCKABY, LEFT AND TOP CAT, flute and sax, packing up after performing for a dinner party on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco.

---

CAFE COULEUR AT THE BOTTOM OF POTRERO HILL tucks Jeff in its entryway, with Haruwn Wesley on bass.

---

WHEN JEFF PLAYS MARTUNI'S piano bar in San Francisco, above, he enjoys an evening of the Great American Songbook with talented singers dropping by the club's busy back room.