His unsurpassed knowledge of the history of America's early pop styles and its best current practitioners, combined with his superior "people skills", has awarded him the position of Musical Director for several acclaimed annual events, including the Eagles & Ivories and Templeton Ragtime and Jazz festivals, the Monterey Jazz Bash by the Bay (as co-Director) and the Essex Winter Series Jazz Concert in Essex CT.
Jeff has played dual piano with such jazz luminaries as Ralph Sutton, Neville Dickie, Louis Mazetier, John Sheridan, Brian Holland and Carl Sonny Leyland. He has recorded over 120 full-length albums on, in addition to his own label, Jazz Alive Records, celebrated labels including Arbors, GHB, Lake Records (UK) and Music Minus One.
Reviewer Jack Rummel recently summed up the reason for Jeff's popularity, averring, "When it comes to talent, speed, versatility, creativity, mastery of multiple genres and just plain entertaining zaniness, Jeff Barnhart stands alone".