Since forming his first jazz group at age 16, Spencer Zweifel has become a regular member of the Colorado music scene. An accomplished jazz pianist, Zweifel has performed professionally in a wide variety of genres, including gigs with the Brian Claxton Quintet, the funk-pop band Swerve, the Manabi Salsa Band, and the Burroughs. In 2018, Spencer was selected as a national finalist for both the Jacksonville Jazz Festival jazz piano competition and the American Jazz Piano competition. Spencer graduated in 2019 with a degree in jazz studies from the University of Northern Colorado and won ‘Best pop/rock soloist’ in the 2018 Downbeat Magazine student awards. Spencer is currently pursuing a Master’s in jazz studies at William Paterson University, where he has studied with Bill Charlap, Aaron Diehl, and Geoffrey Keezer.

________________________

The song we discussed: Backwoods Fancy.  The album: Backwood Fancy.

________________________

Spencer has played many gigs on TheRickshawLive stages – both Rikki and Rhoda.  I managed to capture some video of one of my favorites.

Bass Player Jeff Bostic was born in Chicago on September 25, 1980. He began Suzuki violin at 3 years old, and piano at 5. He began singing at a young age as well. He was a member of several singing groups including the Minnesota State University Choir with which he had the pleasure of touring Europe and singing in many famous Cathedrals including the Vatican. At Minnesota State he began exploring performing live music in a band setting. He was asked to play bass guitar for a rock band called Ten Dark Years by a choir colleague, and so it began. Jeff instantly fell in love with the instrument and began developing a deep passion for melodic bass lines and holding down a groovy bottom end. Jeff played with another rock group named Travesty, and then went on to join Jason Downing, currently of Musketeer Gripweed, in a Funky soul driven Blues Band named Blues Is Blood. Bostic’s love for Funk, Soul, and Blues music grew rapidly as did his playing in the genres.

Through the band’s many many endeavors, Bostic landed in beautiful Fort Collins, CO where he now calls home. He began exploring many musical opportunities including a hit pop band Set Forth, later named The Northern Way. Through his musical endeavors, Jeff has shared the stage with many great artists including, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Gavin DeGraw, Randy Travis, and the list goes on. Bostic’s family is deeply involved in the music industry including his sister, Nashville artist, Jenn Bostic. Jeff has joined her on several tours and was hired as her tour manager for her UK tour, which included live performances on BBC radio. He also had the pleasure of playing the Grand Ole Opry. Bostic currently has a solo bluesy soul album out called “Believe” that he created with producer Lance Bendiksen, Side 3 Studios, and Cookie Jar Studio in Los Angeles. His love for music continues to grow as does his drive and talent. Jeff is involved in several projects including the Robert Wilson Blues Band, The Buzz Brothers, The Owl Canyon Outlaws, Johnny and the Mongrels, and will be recording his sister Jenn Bostic’s new album at the House of Blues Studio in Nashville in April. He loves being a musician and it shows in his writing and performance. True passion and feeling in his writing and performance helps him connect with the audience and allows people to “feel” his music. And for this, he lives.