“Big Jeff’s wide-ranging style appropriates blues, folk, and classic rock in clever ways that pay homage to the history of music without slipping into outright parody. In a nutshell, he makes top-notch music for kids that has them laughing and dancing, while simultaneously entertaining the adults.”
-CD Baby.com Review

Six-and-a half-foot tall children’s singer-songwriter “Big Jeff” DeSmedt first laid hands on a guitar at the age of six. An early interest in American folk music and the Beatles led to progressive rock and modern jazz; and as a member of the New Jersey Folk Project, Big Jeff added Irish folk music, country, and Dixieland to his repertoire. He began writing songs for his daughter Molly when she was 2 years old, and he started playing for children over 10 years ago at the New Jersey daycare center where he worked as an aide and school bus driver. As his popularity grew, he transitioned into a full-time career as a children's musician. He now tours nationally and performs regularly at numerous venues throughout New Jersey and the greater New York metropolitan area.

Big Jeff writes songs as an ongoing dialog with his two children (his younger daughter, Hanna, has since joined Molly as a member of his musical focus group) and with the kids at daycare centers he visits. Already the author of several New Jersey day care classics, including “Big Pterodactyl in the Sky” and “The Orange Song,” Big Jeff remains a prolific songwriter with a diverse catalog. The new release, Big Jeff and His Middle-Sized Band, introduces a playful rock edge, while his earlier CDs—Big Jeff I, Big Jeff II, and Big Jeff’s Halloween Routine—are more country and folk influenced. In 2003, he released the Big Jeff and Friends concert DVD with country, folk, rock, and jazz performances and a storyline that subtly encourages children to play well together, using improv music with a jazz quartet to illustrate the point.

Big Jeff’s experience as a childcare professional and parent ensures that his shows are packed with fun, movement-oriented songs that both entertain and educate. And Big Jeff’s Middle-Sized Band—which features Mark Rufino, aka “The World’s Happiest Bass Player” and Dave “Mr. Kleiner” Kleiner, lead guitarist and third-grade teacher—is a group of seasoned and versatile musicians that is able to not only explore rock and roll with power and grace, but also to delve into a bit of funk, reggae, blues, and doo-wop.

In addition to performing regularly at schools and daycare centers, Big Jeff performs both solo and with the Middle-Sized Band at numerous festivals, benefits, park concerts, libraries, and other public venues throughout New York and New Jersey, including Madison Square Park, the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival and Morristown First Night.

Big Jeff is a member of the Children's Entertainment Association, the New Jersey Folk Project and the Better Business Bureau. Big Jeff has released four children's music CDs and a concert DVD. His debut recording, Big Jeff, won a 2004 Children's Music Web award for classic preschool recording.