Jeff Ellwood IS THE DIRECTOR OF INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ STUDIES AT MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE. HE RECEIVED HIS BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE FROM THE BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND MASTER OF MUSIC DEGREE FROM CAL SATE FULLERTON.

HE HAS STUDIED SAXOPHONE AND IMPROVISATION WITH: JAMES MOODY, RICK MARGITZA, RALPH BOWEN, JOHN ELLIS, BILLY PIERCE, GEORGE GARZONE, HAL CROOK, GARY FOSTER, ERIC MARIENTHAL, CHARLIE BANACOS, JIM ODGREN, JAMES ROTTER, AND CHARLES RICHARD.

WHILE AT BERKLEE, JEFF HAD THE DISTINCT PLEASURE OF BEING A MEMBER OF THE BERKLEE CONCERT JAZZ ORCHESTRA UNDER THE DIRECTION OF HERB POMEROY. THIS GROUP SHARED THE STAGE WITH: GARY BURTON, JOHN ABERCROMBIE, JOE ZAWINUL, TOSHIKO AKIYOSHI AND MANY MORE.

JEFF HAS PERFORMED OR RECORDED WITH: TONY BENNETT, ALAN PASQUA, BILL CUNLIFFE, RICK MARGITZA, JERRY BERGONZI, TERELL STAFFORD, JOE LABARBERA, JIMMY HASLIP, DAVE CARPENTER, DAREK OLES, JAMES MOODY, RANDY BRECKER, CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, STEVIE WONDER, BOB MINTZER, EDDIE DANIELS, ARTURO SANDOVAL, DAVE GRUSIN, JOHN WILLIAMS, AND QUINCY JONES TO NAME A FEW.

IN 2002 AND 2003 HE WAS ACCEPTED TO ATTEND THE HENRY MANCINI INSTITUTE.

IN 2005 HE PERFORMED AS A FEATURED ARTIST WITH ALAN PASQUA AT THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JAZZ EDUCATOR’S CONFERENCE IN LONG BEACH, CA. IN 2013 JEFF STARTED A PROJECT WITH THE GREAT JERRY BERGONZI. THIS PROJECT IS A COMPILATION OF ALL OF JERRY'S COMPOSITIONS. JEFF HAS ALSO CO-AUTHORED A BOOK ENTITLED “BASIC JAZZ IMPROVISATION FOR ALL MUSICIANS” (WALRUS MUSIC PUBLISHING).

JEFF IS ALSO AN ADJUCT PROFESSOR OF JAZZ SAXOPHONE AT CAL STATE FULLERTON. JEFF IS A YAMAHA PERFORMING ARTIST

MUSIC AT THE CENTER is a fundraiser for The DVAC and its programs.  Guests receive two glasses of wine or other beverage, light appetizers and access to the current gallery exhibition as well as the concert.  Doors open for General Admission at 6:45 pm with the concert beginning at 7:00 pm.