Jeff Chilton is a Portland based multidimensional musical artist, educator, and band leader, who resides in a lovely tiny home with his partner Jackie and their cute, if allusive kitty "Boo". Chilton was born in the capital district of NY to classical music aficionado Cecile Stewart and Music Teacher/Church Choir Director Douglas Chilton; he holds a B.M. in Music Education with a Jazz Concentration from Ithaca College where he studied with Jeffrey Gray, Harold Reynolds, Greg Evans, and Michael Titlebaum.

 

Chilton graduated Valedictorian from Schoharie High School in 2010 and Magna Cum Laude from Ithaca College in 2014. Afterwards, Chilton worked for 2 years aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise ships, performing in over 30 countries and 3 continents with notables such as The Platters, The Las Vegas Tenors, and The Diamonds. In 2016 Chilton settled in Portland, OR to pursue original creative music as both a sideman and leader. During his Portland career, he has played with international indie band Broken Social Scene, Bang Bang Experience and Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble. He has toured nationally with psychedelic rockers Super Secret Band. Chilton has also performed and recorded with countless rising local bands including: Dirty Revival, Family Worship Center, Mr. Vale’s Mathclass, Tribe Mars, Bodhi Mojo, Coo Era, Family Mystic, Onion the Man, Jack Maybe Project, David Barber and more. 

 

Chilton is also a commanding band leader and artistic personality. He composes, directs, and fronts (on vocals and trombone) the ensemble Jay Si Proof, a 7 piece project featuring horns, vocals, and a rhythm section described as “earth jazz alchemists” by Vortex Magazine and a “euphoric funk party” by the Portland Mercury. Jay Si Proof has released 3 EPs and a full length record, performed many times as a headliner to 250+ fans at Portland venues (Doug Fir, Mississippi Studios, Get Down), organized multiple West Coast tours (Seattle to San Diego), been featured on KMHD, awarded PDX Pop Now twice, and ranked in the best music videos of 2024 on the Portland Mercury. 

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In addition to performing, Chilton manages his own private trombone studio and is an Artist in Residence at Beaumont Middle School and Cleveland High School. His students have been selected for multiple honors and awards including the Oregon All-State Jazz Band, All-State Orchestra/Wind Ensemble, been granted national soloist awards, ranked first and second in the Oregon Solo/Ensemble Competition, and have received music scholarships to multiple colleges (Puget Sound, U of O, Berkeley, Western Washington). He is the founder and director of the Brass Cats, a self sustaining, intergenerational NOLA style Brass Band bridging the gap between student and professional.

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When he isn't rambunctiously playing the trombone or out supporting his thriving local music community, Chilton spends his time drinking craft beer, backpacking in the PNW, and playing guitar by the fire with friends.