#Rocktober - Jeff Scott Soto

From Heavy Metal to Funk to AOR and Pop, Jeff Scott Soto is a name that is hailed throughout the music industry as one of the most influential artists of the 21st Century!

JSS began his professional musical life with Swedish guitar sensation Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s ‘Rising Force’ in 1984 at the age of 18 and has not stopped since; building a name for himself through many acts and projects that have culminated in his own successful solo career.

After his stint with ‘Rising Force’, he joined forces with Marcel Jacob, another Malmsteen alumni, to start what would become a 19-year run with another Swedish rock ‘tour de force’ - ‘Talisman’.

In 2001, JSS supplied the lead vocals for the main character/singer of the fictional band ‘Steel Dragon’ for the Mark Wahlberg movie “Rock Star”. Jeff’s voice can be heard throughout the movie and soundtrack that has become a cult hit amongst Hard Rock fans around the World.

During 2004, JSS formed a new super group with Neal Schon of ‘Journey’, Virgil Donati and Marco Mendoza called ‘Soul SirkUS’ which, in turn, led to him fronting the legendary American band ‘Journey’ between 2006 and 2007. Soul SirkUS released their one and only debut album World Play in 2005 following on from Jeff’s first three solo albums, Love Parade, Prism and Lost In The Translation.

After an untimely release from Journey in mid 2007, he began recording with the Rock Theater sensation, Trans-Siberian Orchestra. His additions to the latest Gold Disc release, Night Castle, led to him becoming an integral part of the annual tours in which he continues currently.

JSS released his fourth solo album, Beautiful Mess, in 2008 as well as restructuring his solo line up to include; Jorge Salan (guitar) and Fernando Mainer (bass) from Spain and Edu Cominato (drums) and BJ (keys/guitar) from Brazil.
2009 saw the collaboration of Jeff with two well-known Swedish musicians on a new project called ‘W.E.T.’ The album received massive buzz and sold like gangbusters upon the official release date. Also that year he released his second solo live DVD, One Night In Madrid.

2011 saw JSS finishing yet another tour with TSO and aside from working on his fifth solo album, Damage Control released worldwide, March 2012 on Frontiers Records and EMI and a forthcoming W.E.T. album – ‘Rise Up’.

During the summer of 2012 Jeff toured as a part of the successful ‘Queen Extravaganza’ across North America (at the request of ‘Queen’s dorummer, Roger Taylor) and he is back on the road with TSO for their winter tour.

2013 was a very busy and fruitful year for this in demand singer and producer with a full JSS Tour that took place in the Spring of 2013 for ‘Damage Control’ as well as various other performances, and finished out with the 2013 Winter Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tour.

2014 was the 30th anniversary of the start of Jeff's singing career as a professional artist.

Jeff currently tours with his new band SOTO, as well as the west coast Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tour.

What does tomorrow bring?

Tune in to find out...