August 9, 2011 by Amanda Massa
It was July 5th, and all eleven members of the relatively new funk/soul band “The Jeff Love Band” crammed into WVBR’s tiny studio on Ithaca’s East Hill for Dan Cole’s local-music radio interview show, “Tuesdays With the Band.” It was the beginning of what the band hopes will be a long and prosperous career in the Ithaca music scene.
The Jeff Love Band crams into the WVBR studios for "Tuesdays with the Band."The JLB is the brainchild of pianist Neal Massa, a veteran of Ithaca's diverse and ever-changing musical climate since the '70s. His vision of creating a band that would be fronted by Jeff Love came to fruition in February of 2011. Love, an extremely talented and charismatic soul singer, and Massa, had played together previously and wanted to continue their musical connection in a band that would put Jeff front and center. Neal recruited a number of other musicians with whom he had collaborated in the past and the Jeff Love Band was born.
One unique aspect of the JLB is its familial ties. Neal is joined by his son Joe on guitar and yours truly, Neal's daughter Amanda, on background vocals. A common bond unites the Massas with the rest of the band: a passion for music.
Jeff interprets and adapts classics from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Bobby Womack and many more to his own unique vocal prowess with enough energy to keep the crowd dancing for hours. Background singers Amanda Massa and Ariel Arbisser (winner of Best Mixed Soloist of 2010 in the national Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards) take the lead on a handful of songs as well, showcasing their own talents and abilities.
The JLB is rife with a tight rhythm section consisting of Neal on keys, Joe Massa on guitar, Donald House on bass, Al Hartland on drums and Jim Wells on percussion. The horns really give the band a strong funky vibe with Jay Worley and Nick Pauldine on sax and Bob McMahon on trumpet.
The Jeff Love Band aims to appeal to people of all ages, shapes and sizes. They are committed to putting on a quality and memorable performance for their audience. All they ask is for their fans to leave their inhibitions at the door and lose themselves in the music – even if only for a couple of hours. Expect to hear sets full of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers, Parliament, the Jackson 5 and more of your favorite funk and soul artists from the '60s, '70s and '80s.
The band's next show is at 9:00 this Saturday evening, August 13th, at Castaways, on the Cayuga Lake Inlet.
