As an independent artist, Jeff strives to create music with meaning that both moves the feet and heals the soul. Growing up in a household rich with music, his early influences included Roy Ayers, Slave, Ohio Players, Earth Wind and Fire, Parliament, George Clinton and the full roster of soul, r&b, funk and jazz artists. His mother was a singer. His uncles were musicians. By age ten, Jeff was joining in and playing in the jam sessions in the family living room. A talented free-style emcee, Jeff began writing down his rhymes in his late teens. Later on he found his signature singing voice which is described as soulful, honest, smooth and sexy.

In 1993 Jeff caught the attention of Quincy Jones who signed him to Qwest Records. 

On Qwest, Jeff released “Jazz Hop Soul” which was one of the first albums in the 90s to combine hip-hop with elements of jazz, spawned several regional hits and much critical acclaim.

Qwest was shut down in 2000, with Warner Bros. Records acquiring the remainder and Jeff was dropped. This turn of events only made the music more powerful as Jeff was able to move on to independently release his own music and his own message without the constraints imposed by a record label. 

Clever Jeff has continued to release Soul, Hip-Hop, and Deep House albums independently over the past 3 decades under his own label, Fatius Walker Records, showcasing his talents as a singer, songwriter, emcee, and producer.

Adult contemporary hip-hop is honest, conscious, soulful, jazzy, and classic. Using live instruments such as bass guitar, saxophone, and piano, Clever Jeff's hip-hop sound is a fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and soul music. This appealing combination is one of the reasons that the Jazz Hop Soul album remains relevant decades after its original release.

Based in Oakland, Clever Jeff writes, arranges, performs and produces all music on his albums. Similar artists include: Guru, CL Smooth, Roots, Mos Def, Sadat X, J Dilla, Gang Starr, Common, Tribe Called Quest, Lauryn Hill, John Legend… Jeff has a classic MC style, reminiscent of the early 90′s golden age of hip-hop.

Discography

Albums

1994 – Jazz Hop Soul

2002 – Soul Searching

2004 – Street Therapy

2014 – God Quality

2015 – The Adventures of Jeffar Jonsei

2016 – House of Clever, Vol. 1: Be Cool (Deep House Instrumental Mix)

2016 – House of Clever, Vol. 2: Set Yourself Free (Deep House Mix)

2017 – House of Clever, Vol. 3: Bay City House Mix

2018 – Truth Be Told

2020 – Organic Intelligence

Singles

My Lady

Drama No More

Keep Movin’

Love Design

Entitlement