Originally from outside Liberty, Missouri, Jeff started playing and developing his musical skills at 7 years old and then took up guitar at 13 years old. He started off as a strictly fingerstyle guitarist, and then pretty soon was studying everyone from Steve Vai to Pat Metheny. He fell in love with jazz and jazz band in high school, and made All-District Jazz Band in Kansas City, Mo. His specialties are composing, playing jazz guitar in many different ensembles, and teaching. He first attended UCM, and as a graduate of University of North Texas with a jazz performance degree, he has since been growing in the Kansas City thriving jazz scene. From traditional to modern, he is always trying to create and innovate, while honoring the tradition. In 2021 and 2023, JAM Magazine (KC's Jazz Ambassador Monthly magazine) readers nominated Jeff as one of the top four favorite jazz guitarists in the city.
His live band, the Jeff Shirley Trio, is playing all-original jazz at Green Lady Lounge every Tuesday 6:00 pm-10:00 pm. The trio includes Antonio Reyes on drums and Seth Lee on upright bass. When he can, he also plays at Black Dolphin, as well as other venues and events in KC.
Jeff has three albums currently on Spotify and all streaming platforms. His album "3 Degrees Above Absolute Zero," from 2012 combines electronic music and jazz guitar. It's funky and upbeat. He produced all the music in his home studio, playing and recording everything himself (except for the turntable scratching).
Jeff’s 2018 album "Point of the Story" features acoustic, with modern quartets and interesting harmonies.
He released his last album "Blue Gold" in June 2022. On this one, Jeff plays electric guitar, acoustic, fretless, guitar synthesizer, sitar, lap steel and 12-string guitar on this album. Among musicians joining Jeff on this one are special guests Misha Roberts and Max Levy.
Jeff has enjoyed being reviewed by Plastic Sax, JAM Magazine, and guesting on Joe Dimino's "Neon Jazz" podcast and on radio 90.1 KKFI.