Tim Lefebvre

Profile

Tim Lefebvre (pronounced leh-FAVE) performs his very own retrohipster funk-jazz soundtrack while strutting around Europe (or wherever he happens to be) and so does his band Rudder, a group of New York City session cats currently storming the indie-jam-jazz scene with rowdy, greasy cuts like “Tokyo Chicken,” “Jackass Surcharge,” and “3H Club” from their brand new album Matorning [2009, Nineteen-Eight Records.] “Lefebvre not only grooves his pants off, he fully embraces the offbeat hipster vibe from a tone standpoint.” (Bryan Beller, Bass Player Magazine)

Lefebvre strives for modernity, mastering styles as diverse as drum and bass, electronica, rap, rock and many jazz styles including traditional, bebop and fusion, and creating his own hybrid. Lefebvre’s bass lines tend to waddle in and out (a la James Jamerson’s innate funkiness) of drummer Keith Carlock’s pounding, discovering hidden little caves of funk. “To be able to mesh all these diverse style and come up with something new is the most important lesson he ever learned from Wayne Krantz.” (Zachary Adam Cohen)

A native of Foxboro, Massachusetts who double-majored in political science and economics, Lefebvre spent three years gigging on a cruise ship before hitting New York and hooking up with drummer Zach Danziger, which led to gigs and recordings with guitarist Wayne Krantz. Once he began subbing for James Genus in the Saturday Night Live band, the walls to the TV world tumbled down, with gigs for The Sopranos, The Late Show With David Letterman, 30 Rock, and The Apprentice.

He has played on dozens of records, as well as performed and composed for several movie soundtracks and TV commercials, including Oceans 12, Oceans 13, Microsoft, The Departed, Please Give, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, Chevrolet, and Analyze That! In addition, he continues to be a freelance composer for JSM Music and Deetown Productions in NYC, and is presently remixing tracks for Maria Neckam, Benvenue, and Semi Precious Weapons for 2012 release. He also sound-designed on the brand-new Zoom B3 Bass Multi-Effects pedal.

Mr. Lefebvre also placed in both the Downbeat Reader’s and Critic’s Poll in 2010 and ‘ 11 for electric bass. Also several articles have been written about him in Bass Player Magazine, Bass Musician Magazine, and Guitarre + Bass Magazine.

Mr. Lefebvre has been seen on TV and touring extensively with Chris Botti and Rudder . He has appeared recently with Elvis Costello, John Mayer, Sting, Patti Austin, Jamie Cullum, Mark Guiliana’s Beat Music, Uri Caine, David Binney, and Wayne Krantz..

Mr. Lefebvre has appeared or recorded with Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, AR Rahman, Tony Orlando, Donny Osmond, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Andy Garcia, Bette Midler, Drew Barrymore, Snoop Dogg, Jim Belushi, David Holmes, Paula Cole, Melissa Errico, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Deborah Gibson, Karsh Kale, Russell Ferrante, KT Tunstall, Tenacious D, Hildegard Knef, Bob James, Mark Whitfield, Dr. John, Warren Haynes, Chuck Loeb, Les McCann, Bill Frisell, Donny McCaslin, Chris Potter’s Underground, Arif Marden, Bill Evans, David Cassidy, David Johanssen & The Harry Smith’s, M People, Russell Gunn, Philippe Saisse, Les McCann, Bill Frisell, Angelique Kidjo, Chuck Loeb, Dennis Chambers, Jon Pousette-Dart, Larry John MacNally, Jim Beard, Chieli Minucci & Special EFX, Mitch Forman, Eddie Daniels, Tim Berne, Brian Blade, and Jim Black.

He is Endorsed by Moollon Guitars, Callow Hill Guitars, MXR + Jim Dunlop Efx, Ableton Live, Izotope, M Audio, Aguilar Amplification, and D’Addario Strings.

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