1950S Miles Davis Tribute

"Listen up Miles Davis fans..." (Austin American-Statesman) and "... channels Miles Davis..." (Daily Texan) were some of the early reviews when jazz trumpeter, composer and producer Jeff Lofton arrived in Austin from South Carolina in 2007. Mostly unknown to the local jazz scene, word-of-mouth drew people to hear his unique sound at small bars in East Austin. Soon his shows were being described as "...crazy good and crazy crowded." (Austin American-Statesman).

KUTX Sunday Morning Jazz presents Jeff Lofton's 1950s Miles Davis Tribute return to the State Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., on Saturday, September 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Joining Lofton for the John Coltrane role is Diego Rivera on tenor sax. Rivera is the Director of Jazz Studies, the Director of the Jazz Orchestra and an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies & Jazz Saxophone at the University of Texas. The rhythm section includes Donald Collins, Jr. on piano; James Suter on bass; and Steve Mankenberg on drums.

Since the first performance of the tribute in 2007 at the historic Victory Grill in Austin, the critics and fans continued to agree:

"...as good as the real thing..." - San Antonio Express-News

"Lofton and his band were the keepers of the original cool jazz flame ... his connection with Davis' legacy was palpable." - Killeen Daily Herald

"... bop nirvana ..." - Raoul Hernandez, Austin Chronicle

"Lofton's tribute to Davis like living history lesson." - Austin American-Statesman

"...rejoice Kind of Blue fans." - Austin Monthly

"Trumpeter's Lofty Goal: Recreating History" - Austin American-Statesman

"... a veritable jazz virtuoso. Comparisons are frequently made to Miles Davis - and rightfully so. Lofton's take on standards astounds, and his originals are equally delicious." - NPR affiliate KUTX / KUT.org

The show has also been featured in the New Faces Series at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York, and at the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas along with the "Birth of the Cool" exhibit. As part of the 2011-12 season at The Carver Cultural Community Center in San Antonio, the show was recorded and broadcast for KRTU Jazz 91.7 FM's ten-year anniversary Year of Jazz series. The show has also been presented at the Scottish Rite Theater in Austin; Scat Jazz Lounge in Ft. Worth, The Cultural Activities Center in Temple and the One World Theater in Austin.

Lofton’s 2020 album, "Jericho," charted in the top 50 at Jazzweek.com. The album included vocals and guitar by Carolyn Wonderland, piano and organ by the legendary Dr. James Polk, as well as Murali Coryell (son of jazz legend Larry Coryell) on guitar and vocals.

Lofton was voted Best Horn Player in '13-'14 and Best Jazz Band in '10-'11 at the Austin Music Awards during SXSW. In 2009 the City of Austin named January 15 "Jeff Lofton Day" and he was inducted into the Texas Music Museum. His album, "Jazz to the People," made the 2009 top albums lists for the Austin Chronicle and KUTX.