The Jeff Carver Solo Show
Jeff Carver delivers a soulful mix of jazz standards, ballads, and pop hits (incl. high-end backing tracks) with smooth vocals and expressive trumpet playing. From intimate gatherings to large events, Jeff adapts to any setting—offering elegant background music or dynamic featured performances. With nearly 300 songs in his repertoire, he covers artists like Sinatra, Bublé, Armstrong, and more. Jeff’s event and marketing background ensures a smooth, professional experience every time—making him a versatile, reliable choice for any occasion.
2 reviews
Carol C.
May 2, 2025We have hired Jeff Carver for a few years now to entertain at a very large banquet (500+ guests) We love him! He's dependable, comes with all his own equipment, always on time and has a very large reportoire. He provides background music for our social hour and his vocals and instrumentals are outstanding. He also takes requests!
Can't say enough good things about him and you won't be disappointed in hiring him!
Hired as: One Man Band, Trumpet Player
Tim W.
May 2, 2025I first heard Jeff play in 2022 at the Mudd Room. As a horn player myself, it was impressive to see him move from playing to singing while engaging the crowd.
I stayed until the end to invite him to play our VIP event for the National Kidney Foundation Gala- about 200+ folks… and has been a highlight for the past 2 years Ultimate professional and awesome person.
Hired as: One Man Band
Jeff Carver
Thanks Tim!!! I appreciate your review!!!
Price range: $400 and up
Languages: English
Gig length: 60 - 180 minutes
Jeff performs both on trumpet and as a singer on his one-man show. He performs a variety of styles of music in his shows. A Jeff Carver solo show features the styles of traditional jazz, jazz standards, songs from musicals, soft rock, soft classic rock, country, pop and contemporary, New Orleans…all both instrumentally and vocally. His songlist is second to none and was built on years of performing at venues such as Jazz Clubs, Hard Rock Cafe, Weddings and hundreds of VIP events.His intimate setup has a small footprint and can be literally placed anywhere as there is no power requirement. For larger crowds and bigger venues, Jeff can utilize a larger amplification setup which can accomodate a crowd of a few hundred people, whether inside a venue or outside. Jeff’s shows are “self-contained, meaning he needs little assistance other than power for his larger sound system.
Jeff Carver is one of those people who just can’t stop moving! He is a trumpet player, a singer, an entrepreneur, a band leader, a business man, an educator; but most importantly….a Grandfather!
Jeff began trumpet in 5th grade but never really practiced much. That all changed when he was inspired by his High School Band Director to practice and listen to recordings of great trumpet players. Soon, his love of trumpet was visible and eventually all consuming!
In college, Jeff majored in Music Education and after graduating with Honors in 1979, he became a Senior High School Band Director. During this time, Jeff was lead trumpet player in the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings Band, and led his own band with the NHL’s Minnesota Northstar’s, called “The Power Players.” When Jeff was only 28 years old, his marching band won a National Championship in Washington DC…which made him one of the youngest Band Directors to ever win the honor! Following that major accomplishment, he felt it was time to do something new and different.
In the late 1980’s, Jeff left teaching, took a break from music performing and began a new and exciting business career! He began working for a major New York City-based Shopping Center company as Director of Marketing for some of the largest Shopping Malls in the Country. In the early ’90’s, Jeff was not only featured in two shopping center industry books, but he was also honored by winning the prestigious ‘International Council of Shopping Centers’ MAXI Award for Best Shopping Center Sales Program world-wide! In 1996, he launched his own successful marketing business, and later created ‘Soletrex,”an outdoor hiking and backpacking educational company.
Jeff returned to trumpet performing in the early 2000’s and recorded an album of original music called ‘Gettin’ Comfortable’, sponsored by Southern Comfort. He eventually focused all his energies on music performing and teaching trumpet. He taught as many as 45 trumpet students a year, many becoming all-state players and top students in their respective bands! During that time, Jeff regularly performed with Twin City-based club bands and also began playing jazz with small groups or, on his own with proprietary backing tracks. In 2012 he released a wonderful Christmas album with RCA recording artist Rahjta Ren called “The Merry Christmas Sessions”. Jeff was now performing nearly 300 shows per year!
Jeff was quickly becoming well-known and later toured the United States as featured trumpet player and soloist for 7 years with Emmy-winning singer, Shaun Johnson. Jeff even performed in concert with the original cast of the hit Broadway musical “The Jersey Boys.” In 2018, he organized a quartet to open for and back-up longtime singer and bass player for the legendary band ‘Chicago’, Jason Scheff. Also in 2018, he released his 3rd album entitled “Interpretations.” This album featured original arrangements and some of the Twin Cities’ best musicians and arrangers. When Jeff was not traveling, he he could be found performing weekly for families at Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, MN.
After nearly a decade of performing 20-30 shows per month (prior to the Covid19 pandemic), Jeff decided to perform a bit less frequently and more locally…trading in some of the jazz clubs and restaurants for Grandfather time! He currently lives in St. Louis Park, MN with his wife of 22 years, Nancy. Between the two, they have 5 grown children and 2 grandchildren. Jeff is enjoying life more than ever and is looking forward to more musical and family adventures in the years to come.
Jeff Carver Live ‘Solo Show’ Song List as of Jan. 2025
Angel Eyes...Jack Sheldon
A Kiss To Build A Dream On...L. Armstrong
A Song For You...Buble’
A Taste of Honey...Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
A Thousand Kisses...Chris Botti
Ain’t Misbehavin’...Louis Armstrong
Ain’t No Sunshine...Bill Withers
Ain’t No Woman...The Four Tops
All Blues (Funky)...Miles Davis
All Of Me...Frank Sinatra
All The Way...Frank Sinatra
Always on My Mind...Willie Nelson
Amazing Grace...Elvis Presley
America The Beautiful...Ray Charles
And I Love Her...The Beatles
As Time Goes By...Casablanca
At Last...Etta James
Autumn Leaves...Miles Davis
Ave Maria...Chris Botti Vers.
Baker Street...Gerry Rafferty
Bare Necessities...Disney
Basin Street Blues...Louis Armstrong
Battle Hymn of The Republic...New Orleans
Bellavia...Chuck Mangione
Besame’ Mucho...Jobim
Beyond The Sea...Barry Manilow
Billy Jean...Michael Jackson
Black Orpheus...’Black Orpheus’
Blue Eyes Cryin’...Willie Nelson
Blue Skies...Willie Nelson Brandy...Looking Glass
Bridge Over Troubled Water...Simon & Garfunkel
Brown-Eyed Girl...Van Morrison
Buono Sera...Dean Martin
But Not For Me...Chet Baker
Bye Bye Blackbird...Miles Davis Cabaret...Louis Armstrong
Can’t Help Falling In Love...Elvis Presley
Can’t Help Lovin’ That Gal...Jerome Kern
Can’t Take My Eyes off Of You...Frankie Valli
Careless Whisper...George Michael
Change The World...Eric Clapton
Cheek to Cheek...Tony Bennett
Close To You...The Carpenters
Color My World...Chicago
Contigo en la distancia...Botti/Sting
Come Fly With Me...Frank Sinatra
Crazy...Patsy Cline/Buble’
Crazy Love...Van Morrison
Crocodile Rock...Elton John
Danny Boy...Traditional
Daydream Believer...The Monkees
Days Of Wine And Roses...Frank Sinatra
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is...Chicago
Do It Again...Steely Dan
Don’t Get Around Much...Duke Ellington
Don’t Know Why...Norah Jones
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans...H. Connick
Dream A Little Dream...Louis Armstrong
Embraceable You...Gershwin
Emma’s Song...Ricky Peterson/Rick Braun
Every Breath You Take...Sting
Feel Like Makin’ Love...Roberta Flack
Feels So Good...Chuck Mangione
Fire and Rain...James Taylor
Fly Like An Eagle...Steve Miller
Fly Me To The Moon...Frank Sinatra
For Once In My Life...Stevie Wonder Fragile...Sting
Georgia...Ray Charles
Girl From Ipanema...Jobim
Give Me The Simple Life...Steve Tyrell
Giving You The Best That I Got...AnitaBaker
God Bless America...Irving Berlin
God Bless The Child...Blood Sweat & Tears
(The) Good Life...Tony Bennett/Rick Braun
Grazin’ In The Grass...Rick Braun
Groovin’ on A Sunday...The Young Rascals
Hallelujah...Leonard Cohen/Chris Botti
Harvest Moon...Neil Young
Havana...Camila Cabello
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You...Rod Stewart
Hello Again...Neil Diamond
Hello Dolly...Louis Armstrong
Here’s That Rainy Day...Arturo Sandoval Version
Hit The Road Jack...Ray Charles
Hotel California...The Eagles
How Deep Is Your Love...The Bee Gees
How Insensitive...Jobim
How Much I Feel...Ambrosia
How Sweet It Is...James Taylor
Human Nature...Miles Davis
I Can See Clearly Now...Johnny Nash
I Can’t Get Started...Maynard Ferguson
I Can’t Go For That...Hall & Oates
I Can’t Tell You Why...The Eagles
If You Leave Me Now...Chicago
I Left My Heart in San Francisco...Bennett
I Got A Woman...Ray Charles
I Get A Kick Out of You...Frank Sinatra
I Fall In Love Too Easily...Chet Baker
I’ve Got A Crush On You...Frank Sinatra
I’ve Got The World On A String...F. Sinatra
I’ve Got You Under My Skin...Diana Krall
I’ve Grown Accustomed...Herb Alpert
Imagine...John Lennon
Into The Mystic...Van Morrisson
In My Life...The Beatles
In The Wee Small Hours...Barbra Streisand
Indian Summer...Chris Botti
Isn’t She Lovely...Stevie Wonder
It Had To Be You...Harry Connick Jr
I Thought About You...Frank Sinatra
Just a Gigolo...Louis Prima/David Lee Roth
Just Friends...Chet Baker
Just When I Needed You Most...VanWarmer
Just The Two Of Us...Bill Withers
Just The Way You Are...Billy Joel
Killing Me Softly...Roberta Flack
Kokomo...The Beach Boys
L.O.V.E...Nat King Cole
Lady In Red...Chris De Burgh
La Vie En Rose...Edith Piaf/Lady Gaga
Let There Be Love...Michael Buble’
Let It Be...The Beatles
Lets Stay Together...Rev. Al Green
Lil’ Darlin’...Count Basie
Lisa...Chris Botti
(The) Lonely Bull...Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
Look For The Silver Lining...Chet Baker
Look Of Love...Chris Botti
Losing You...Vince Gill/Chris Botti
Lovely Day...Bill Withers
Love Me Tender...Elvis
Mack The Knife...Louis Armstrong
Margaritaville...Jimmy Buffett
Me And Mrs. Jones...Billy Paul/Michael Buble’
Midnight At The Oasis...Maria Muldaur
Misty...Errol Garner
Moonlight Serenade...Glenn Miller
Moon River...Andy Williams
Moondance...Van Morrison
Moonlight in Vermont...Standard
Morning Dance...Spyro Gyra
My Cherie Amour...Stevie Wonder
My Funny Valentine...Chet Baker/Miles Davis
My Girl...The Temptations
My Way...Frank Sinatra
Nearness Of You...Ella Fitzgerald
New York, New York...Frank Sinatra
Night And Day...Cole Porter
On The Sunny Side Of The Street...Vic Damone
On a Clear Day...The Peddlers
On and On...Stephan Bishop
On Broadway...George Benson
One For My Baby...Frank Sinatra
Over The Rainbow...Judy Garland Paris...Chris Botti
Part-Time Lover...Stevie Wonder
Pennies from Heaven...Bing Crosby
Quando, Quando, Quando...Buble’
Rainy Night in Georgia...Aaron Neville
Reminiscing...Little River Band
Rise...Herb Alpert
Route 66...Nat King Cole
Sara Smile...Hall & Oates
St. James Infirmary...New Orleans
Satin Doll...Duke Ellington
Sentimental Journey...Doris Day
Shadow Of Your Smile...Frank Sinatra
Shining Star...Earth Wind & Fire/Rick Braun
Sittin’ On The Dock...Otis Redding
Smile...Jerry Lewis
Someone To Watch Over Me...Chris Botti
Southern Nights...Glen Campbell/Lizz Wright
Sound of Silence...Simon & Garfunkel
Spooky...Atlanta Rhythm Section
St. James Infirmary...Louis Armstrong
Stand By Me...Ben E. King
Stranger On The Shore...Acker Bilk
S’Wonderful...Diana Krall
Such a Night...Elvis
Summertime...Gershwin/Chet Baker
(The) Summer Wind...Frank Sinatra
Sway...Dean Martin
Takin’ It To The Streets...Doobie Bros.
Tequila...The Champs
That’s All...Standard
That’s The Way Of The World...EarthWind&Fire
The Way You Make Me Feel...M. Jackson
This Guys In Love With You...Herb Alpert
This Masquerade...George Benson
Till There Was You...The Music Man
Time After Time...Chet Baker
Tuxedo Junction...Glenn Miller
Unchained Melody...Righteous Brothers
Unforgettable...Natalie Cole/Nat King Cole
Water is Wide...James Taylor
Walk On By...Dionne Warwick
Walkin’ The Dog (Blues)...Rufus Thomas
What A Wonderful World...Louis Armstrong
What You Won’t Do For Love...B. Cauldwell
What’s Going On...Marvin Gaye
(The) Way You Look Tonight...Buble’/Sinatra
When I Fall In Love...Chris Botti/A. Bocelli
When The Saints Go Marching...Louis Armstrong
When You’re Smiling...Michael Buble’
When You Wish Upon A Star...Disney
Where is The Love...Roberta Flack
Wichita Lineman...Glen Campbell
Yesterday...The Beatles
You’re Nobody Till Somebody...Dean Martin
You Are Not Alone...Michael Jackson
You Are So Beautiful...Joe Cocker
You Belong To Me...Anita Baker/Lifehouse
You Don’t Know Me...Ray Charles
You Look Wonderful Tonight...E. Clapton
You’ve Got a Friend...James Taylor
You’ve Got a Friend in Me...Toy Story
Herb Alpert
Louis Armstrong
Frank Sinatra
Chet Baker
Chuck Mangione
Michael Buble
Louis Prima
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One Man Band
