Jeff Lofton Jazz Happy Hour at Ruth’s Chris

We heard the best jazz Thursday night at Ruth's Chris in Austin. Jeff Lofton, which included that night, Chris Jones on bass and Butch Miles, drums. Other than the fab music, the best part was it was happy hour, not 11 pm! Jeff sounds a lot like Miles Davis, but different in a very nice sort of way. He plays that brand of jazz that makes you want to close your eyes and drift, soulful, relaxing and stirring, very, very cool! Check him out this Sunday at Jazz Brunch at Waterloo Ice House 38th St. 11am - 1pm, then 3-6 pm at T. C.'s Lounge 1413 Webberville Rd, the "coolest bar you've never been to...",  and each Thursday at Ruth's Chris.  Click here to hear some of Jeff's sa-weet music.

It was also wonderful that Butch Miles happened to be playing with Jeff that night. Butch is married to my friend Linda Benjamin, and is quite famous, having played with such luminaries as Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dave Brubeck, Mel Torme, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Itzak Pearlman and others. Click here to hear Butch swing it.

Seeing old friend Bill Andrews, owner of Ruth's Chris (they served me one hell of $5 martini, and their steaks are unsurpassed), and Turk Pipkin, writer, film maker, actor and creator of The Nobility Project, also made the evening extra special. Not to mention that everyone hung out at our table between sets.

I particularly loved meeting and visiting with Jeff Lofton's wife and Publicist, Dean Lofton (photo to left - a Very Smart Gal!) I think I need to hire her to be my publicists! Click here to check out her website.

Take a listen to Jeff. Go see him live. Buy his album "Jazz To The People." Sometimes we just have to be reminded of why Austin is sooooo special!!