Moldovan record producer (born 1982)
Musical artist
Jeff Gitelman (born February 5, 1982) is a record producer, musician and songwriter from Chișinău, Moldova. He is known for his work with the band The Stepkids, which formed in 2010.[1] He is also known for his composition, production, and instrumentation for J. Cole, H.E.R., Jennifer Lopez, Mac Miller and Anderson .Paak.[2] He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for his work on H.E.R.'s 2019 album I Used to Know Her.[3]
Early life
Jeff Gitelman was born on February 5, 1982, to a Jewish family in Soviet-ruled Moldavia. He and his family emigrated from Chișinău, Moldova in 1991 and moved to New Haven, Connecticut. His interest in music developed in his early childhood when he found a guitar in a trash can and his father fixed it for him. He subsequently learned how to speak English through listening to and learning how to play Western music, notably The Beatles.[4]
Career
Performing
Gitelman's music career began while attending Amity Regional High School. After graduating from Amity, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. His first professional job was recording and touring with Lauryn Hill,[5] which led to Gitelman being hired as a touring guitarist for Alicia Keys, as well as performances with Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Chance the Rapper[6][7] and others.
The Stepkids
In 2010, Gitelman, along with Tim Walsh and Dan Edinberg formed The Stepkids, a psychedelic soul band. They released their debut self-titled album The Stepkids (album) in 2011 under Stones Throw Records.[8] The band toured and collaborated with Kimbra, Mayer Hawthorne and Aloe Blacc.
Independent work and Production
Following his work with The Stepkids, Gitelman relocated to Los Angeles, California, to focus on production. His guitar, production, composition, and writing is featured on J. Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive,[9] H.E.R.'s I Used to Know Her, Anderson .Paak's Oxnard,[10] Donnie Trumpet's Surf,[11] Mac Miller's Swimming[12] and The Divine Feminine,[13] ASAP Ferg's Always Strive and Prosper,[14] as well as work with Camila Cabello, Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremih, Kid Ink, Trey Songz, Rick Ross, and others.
Education
Gitelman has worked in music education, serving on the Panel of Music Industry Advisors at the 2015 Grammy Camp in Los Angeles, and conducting lectures and seminars on composition, production, music business, and performance to young musicians throughout the USA. In 2005, Gitelman co-founded the American Roots Music program, an initiative to teach young adults grades one through twelve the history of American music through performance and lecture. In 2015, Gitelman was inducted into his alma mater Amity High School's hall of fame.[15]
In 2016, Gitelman founded the Duality School of Music, that began programming during the Fall 2017 semester at Amity High School in Woodbridge, Connecticut.[16]
