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Jeff Lofton, ATX Rhythm, Feb 11, 2026
Austin, TX based Jazz trumpeter Jeff Lofton will release ATX Rhythm, a love letter to his adopted home state, Feb 11, 2026 on Tiger Turn Records.
ATX Rhythm includes original songs, collaborations with Ruth Ellsworth Carter and covers of beloved jazz standards. Ellsworth Carter’s credits, shared with her husband and co-writer, Bill Carter, include Stevie Ray Vaughan hits “Crossfire” and “Willie the Wimp,” plus the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ “Why Get Up?” and many more.
ATX Rhythm features beloved songs such as:
Crazy, Willie Nelson
Lofton says, “To me this is Nelson’s greatest song and really demonstrates his love of jazz as the chord structure is like a jazz tune.”
Deep In the Heart Of Texas, by June Hershey & Don Swander
Lofton says, “I wanted to present this song in a new light while still connecting it to a more modern feel. The 2nd line feel moving into a straight ahead swing is a line from the past to the present.”
Eyes Of Texas, traditional
Lofton says, “Making this song everyone knows swing was a challenge, and an ‘up’ tempo made it much easier. Just couldn’t do an Austin themed record without this one.”
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane, ASCAP
Lofton says, “I love to present Xmas music as a jazz standard, and for me, this is one of the great jazz standards of all time.”
Night Life, by Willie Nelson
Lofton says, “I took Nelson’s original recording as a basis for the arrangement. I wanted to not just do a jazz version but a true song in the same style as an old 45 single.”
Pride and Joy, by Stevie Ray Vaughan
Lofton says, “This is Vaughan’s most popular song, and I felt like it needed the lyrics to convey the true feeling. I wanted to do a version he would have enjoyed as much as his own.”
Sailor’s Valentine, by Jeff Lofton and Ruth E. Carter
Lofton says, “I cannot say enough about Ruth Carter’s master of lyrics and song writing. She was truly my Hart and I her Rogers.”
She’s About A Mover, by Doug Sahm
Lofton says, “I love how this track came out- having Ernie Durawa, original drummer for the Sir Douglas Quintet, was the icing on the cake. I hope Doug Sahm would have been proud.”
The Rhythm, by Jeff Lofton and Ruth E. Carter
Lofton says, “Ruth convinced me to sing our song when my original choice of singer couldn’t make the session. After everyone in the studio told me I should keep my version, I did. This was inspired by Jobim’s ‘Waters of March.’”
Yellow Rose Of Texas, traditional
Lofton says, “I used Ahmad Jamal’s ‘Poinciana’ drum beat for this old traditional Texas tune, and tried to create a Miles Davis feel in my horn playing.”
Along with Lofton on trumpet and vocals, most songs include Ross Margitza on piano, Glenn Schuetz on bass, and Steve Mankenberg on drums.
“She’s a Mover” features Ernie Durawaon drums, and “The Voice of Erica” on vocals.
“The Rhythm” has Darin Layne on guitar, Donald Collins Jr. on piano, Ben Triesch bass, Michael Hale on drums and percussion.
Lofton produced the album with recording and mixing by Cris Burns at Gabe Rhodes Mastering.
“ATX Rhythm,” is Lofton’s third album since signing with Tiger Turn Records. Tiger Turn Records was founded by Kabir Sehgal (Producer, Multi-Grammy & Latin Grammy Award winner; musician; New York Times best-selling author) and Doug Davis (Producer, Multi-Grammy Award winner, entertainment lawyer, son of Clive Davis and executive producer of the legendary Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala). Lofton also released “Silver’s Strut” in 2023 and “Let It Be Like Christmas” in 2024 on Tiger Turn Records.
The album is available to purchase on all of the major music platforms.
In 2019, Lofton released “Jericho,” to rave reviews. “Lofton’s dedication to finding the right textures is a joy to listen to,” said Jim Olin, critic for All About Jazz, “His trumpet playing on Jericho is sensational.” Stacey Zering of INK 19 added that “Jericho is among the year’s finest jazz releases. I could listen to his trumpet all day.” The album charted on jazzweek.com in the Top 50 for US jazz releases in 2020.
Music editors included his album “Jazz to the People” in the Austin Chronicle’s Top Ten Austin Albums in 2009. He’s won multiple Austin Music Awards and was featured in an Austin Chronicle cover story.
“…rejoice Kind of Blue fans.” – Austin Monthly
“Listen up, Miles Davis fans…” – Austin American-Statesman
“Lofton’s skill is astounding…” – Austin’s NPR affiliate KUTX