Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Shirley.
Hi Jeff, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Liberty, Missouri, and music grabbed me early. I started on piano at seven, picked up guitar by thirteen, and before long my first “amp” was actually my clock radio. I’d send the signal through an FM transmitter and crank it up just to hear myself.
In high school, I got hooked on jazz and earned a spot in the Kansas City All-District Jazz Band. I went on to study jazz performance at the University of North Texas, which gave me the foundation I needed to start composing and performing full-time.
When I was younger, I used to sit on the school bus and watch the windshield wipers as they’d fall out of sync, and I’d “hear” the polyrhythms. That feeling never left me. It’s still what drives my writing: the push and pull of rhythm, melody, and emotion.
Back home in Kansas City, I’ve been lucky to play and record constantly. My trio plays every Tuesday at Green Lady Lounge, and I’ve released several albums, from early experimental projects like 3 Degrees Above Absolute Zero to my most recent live record, “Trio Live at Green Lady Lounge.”
Kansas City has a deep jazz history, and I love being part of keeping that alive while pushing it forward with new sounds and energy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. There have been stretches where the music flowed freely and opportunities seemed endless, and others where it felt like I was starting all over again. The ups and downs can be tough, but they’ve kept me grounded and focused on why I do this in the first place.
Over time, I’ve learned to focus on action and keep moving forward. I try to filter out the negative or non-productive thoughts and act from my highest intelligence. It’s a lot like improvising; staying open, responding in real time, and saying “yes, and” to whatever comes next. Every setback has taught me to keep creating, keep learning, and trust that the rhythm of it all is part of the larger music.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a jazz guitarist, composer, bandleader, and teacher based in Kansas City. My main focus is writing and performing original jazz that blends the roots of the tradition with new sounds and rhythmic ideas. Every week, my trio performs at Green Lady Lounge, playing music written to feel alive in the moment and connected to the spirit of the room.
I’m known for my compositions as much as my guitar playing, even sometimes my use of fretless guitar and synth textures to bring out new shades of tone and melody. My pieces often attempt to carry a quiet sense of meaning beneath the surface, trying to build substance into the melodies, song titles, and sound.
Teaching is also a major part of my life. I enjoy helping students find their voice and understand the deeper language of music. Whether it’s through performing, writing, or teaching, my goal is always to create connection and bring something genuine to Kansas City’s jazz scene and beyond.
How do you think about happiness?
Playing and writing music makes me happy because it brings me into the present. When everything locks in with the band or a new melody unfolds just right, it feels like time disappears. I’m happy with a good seed idea turns into something real, something tangible. Teaching does the same in a different way, watching a student finally get something, hearing their sound open up, that’s a real joy.
I’m also happy when the music connects with people, even quietly. Those small moments of resonance remind me why I started, to share something honest and uplifting, something that leaves the world a little more in tune.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jeffshirley.com
