About Jeff
Jeff is a 1997 graduate of Columbus High. Jeff performed one year with the UNL Marching drumline before transferring schools to finish his percussion Jazz Studies / Performance degree from Northern Illinois University.
After graduation he worked as a free lance performer in the Chicago area. Jeff’s past work includes music instruction at Stu’s Studio, P.M. Music, drum instructor at Naperville North and Waubonsie High Schools in the western Chicago suburbs, as well judging the percussion festivals in Geneva.
Since leaving Chicago, Jeff has held positions at Waverly & Columbus High as well as being the Schmitt Music drum instructor in Omaha and Eau Claire, WI.
Jeff’s theater work includes the DeKalb and Lincoln’s Children Theater and well as performances with the Pioneer’s Park Musicals. The Jeff Brackhan jazz trio was established in 1998 and began performing in Chicago at the same time he was working as a sideman with several funk and rock groups.
Jeff performs in Lincoln & Omaha with several music groups spanning the styles from electro-pop to experimental jazz.. He has had the opportunity to perform with the Monday night big band, Jazzocracy, UNL faculty members, James Valentine (Maroon5), Dan Nimmer (pianist with Wynton Marsalis) and Leslie Hunt (American Idol Semi-finalist).
Jeff now owns and operates Fiddlestick Music that has locations in Columbus and Lincoln. He lives in Lincoln with his wife Summer who is a violinist with the Lincoln Symphony.
Currently, Jeff divides his time between his family (twin boys!), managing the music studios and growing online businesses.