Jeff Babko is world class pianist. He has played for artists ranging from James Taylor to Martin Short and Steve Martin. He has been a member of the ”house band,” Cleto and the Cletones, on The Jimmy Kimmel Show since it first aired in 2003. Jeff is also the son of Bob Babko whom I hired at West Ranch High School to be our Director of Jazz Studies. I have been friends with Bob and his wife, Diane, for over 25 years. Fun fact, Diane’s father, Mr. Duarte, was my junior high school Spanish teacher.

 

In 2018 Jeff gave a TED Talk in Santa Barbara, "Harmony in the Silences: The Secrets of Good Timing." Jeff talks about how music, like life, is found between the tik and tok of the metronome (our heartbeats). He emphasizes the importance of being a good listener and living life to its fullest.

 

I found Jeff’s TED Talk to be inspirational, and I hope you will too.

 

Enjoy,

​

Bob Vincent

November 11, 2020

​