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Jeff Ballard

Jeff Ballard is a drummer, percussionist, composer, bandleader, and collaborative improviser whose work spans the Brad Mehldau Trio, Fly, and leader groups.

DrumsPercussionComposerBandleader6 current shows

Photo source · Official artist media

Career Overview

About Jeff Ballard

Ballard's official biography traces his development from Santa Cruz and Northern California work through three years touring with Ray Charles and a 1990 move to New York. It places his rhythmic practice across jazz, rock, Latin, African, and other musical settings rather than one fixed style.[1]

His project guide distinguishes the Brad Mehldau Trio, the cooperative trio Fly, Jeff Ballard Fairgrounds, the Jeff Ballard Trio, and Guillermo Klein's Los Guachos. The recording archive connects those ongoing ensembles to Time's Tales, Fairgrounds, Sky & Country, and a broad sideman catalog.[2][3][4]

Ensembles and Career Threads

Bands & Projects

Drummer

Brad Mehldau Trio

Member since the 2005 album Day Is Done

Ballard's project guide documents his entry into Mehldau's trio and the recordings developed with Mehldau and bassist Larry Grenadier.[2][3]

Co-leader, drummer, and composer

Fly

The collective joins Ballard with tenor saxophonist Mark Turner and bassist Larry Grenadier, with every member contributing material and direction.[2][4]

Leader, drummer, and sound designer

Jeff Ballard Trio and Fairgrounds

Ballard's two leader settings pair acoustic percussion with guitars, reeds, keyboards, electronics, voices, and open improvisation.[1][2]

Selected, Not Exhaustive

Recordings to Know

2009 · ECM Records

Sky & Country

Fly co-leader and drummer

Fly's first ECM album documents the collective saxophone-bass-drums language developed by Turner, Grenadier, and Ballard.[2][4]

Release details

2014 · OKeh Records

Time's Tales

Jeff Ballard Trio leader and drummer

The trio debut places Ballard with guitarist Lionel Loueke and saxophonist Miguel Zenón in a percussion-rich leader program.[1][3]

Release details

2019 · Edition Records

Fairgrounds

Jeff Ballard Fairgrounds leader and drummer

Fairgrounds grew from tour recordings selected for Ballard's open acoustic-and-electronic ensemble project.[1][2][3]

Release details

Artist-Authorized Destinations

Start Listening

Official recording archive

Browse Ballard's leader, collective, trio, and sideman releases through his artist-maintained catalog.

Official video selections

Watch performances from Ballard's own groups and long-running collaborative projects.

Live Calendar

Upcoming Jazz DateBook Shows

Fri, Aug 28, 7:00 PM

Kurt Rosenwinkel "Next Step Band"

Jazzcultural · New York

Fri, Aug 28, 9:00 PM

Kurt Rosenwinkel "Next Step Band"

Jazzcultural · New York

Sat, Aug 29, 7:00 PM

Kurt Rosenwinkel "Next Step Band"

Jazzcultural · New York

Sat, Aug 29, 9:00 PM

Kurt Rosenwinkel "Next Step Band"

Jazzcultural · New York

Sun, Aug 30, 7:00 PM

Kurt Rosenwinkel "Next Step Band"

Jazzcultural · New York

Sun, Aug 30, 9:00 PM

Kurt Rosenwinkel "Next Step Band"

Jazzcultural · New York

Sources

Career copy is original synthesis from the artist, label, and project sources below. Current dates come from Jazz DateBook event inventory.

[1] Official biography
Jeff Ballard
[2] Official ensemble and project guide
Jeff Ballard
[3] Official selected recording archive
Jeff Ballard
[4] Fly and ECM recording catalog
ECM Records