McNally, Shannon, Jukebox Sparrows

Four Star Mary, Welcome Home (UK Only)

personal/professional history

Rami Jaffee began his romance with the keys at an early age. Born in Los Angeles on March 11, 1969, he bought his first keyboard at age 13. He soon started to play with various local bands while attending Fairfax High School. During his high school years, he often spent time at Canter's Deli, down the street from his high school on Fairfax Avenue. Canter's Deli, or more specifically, The Kibitz Room (a small bar at the back of the deli), would prove to be an important influence in Rami's musical career.

Rami briefly attended Santa Monica College after high school, but decided he'd learn more from the continued experience of playing music live. He began making a name for himself in and around Los Angeles as he developed his unique keyboard sound while playing with a number of local bands. Soon Rami was in high demand for studio work.

Around 1990, Jakob Dylan and his friend Tobi Miller, formed a group “The Apples.” They were looking for a keyboard player. While asking around, Rami Jaffee's name constantly came up. “But Rami doesn't join groups,” Jakob was told. Finally Rami heard of Jakob's search for a keyboard player. Rami tells the story:

."The night I met Jakob, I was in line for Canter's Deli [in L.A.] around 2:00 A.M. like everybody else after bar close. A mutual friend told me Jakob was looking for an organ player. So I asked where he was and my friend told me he was in the Kibitz room, in the back of the deli. I walked back, and after we met, we all went out to Jake's car and they played me a demo tape of some songs. When I heard the tape, I said, 'When do we start?' and we started rehearsing the very next day. I didn't know there was going to be a record deal coming in a couple of weeks, I just wanted to jam. At that time in my life, it was especially about playing music. I was at a point where I had given up on getting a record deal and I decided to spread myself thin - just music, music, music. I figured if I was going to be a musician for the rest of my life, which probably meant being a bum, then I might as well play with as many people as I could." (Keyboard Magazine 7.98).

With the addition of Rami Jaffee, as Jakob described him, "the last available Hammond B3 player that exists who will sit between a piano and organ,” the band was complete (Album Network 9.11.92). Soon thereafter, The Apples became The Wallflowers.

The Wallflowers played in a number of local clubs. Their performances earned them a contract with Virgin Records and in 1992 they released their self-titled album. They toured extensively through the U.S. and Canada in 1992 and the Spring of 1993. They opened for bands such as Cracker, The Spin Doctors and 10,000 Maniacs and headlined some shows themselves. When they returned home there was a shakeup at Virgin and they lost the two contacts that had originally been interested in the band's talent. The album wasn't a huge seller and the band soon felt that Virgin had lost interest in them. In addition, Virgin began trying to use the Dylan name to sell records— a tactic the band, and especially Jakob, refused to cater to. Eventually they asked to be let out of their contract. Virgin agreed, and they left in in the summer of 1993. Unfortunately, the word got around that the band was “difficult” which led to almost a year of uninterest from the record companies. Rami explains:

"I was living at home and there was no money for anything. I would try to explain to friends that [getting out of our contract] was a good thing; but the bottom line was that we didn't have a deal anymore. I had a certain faith in playing Jakob's music, though. Somewhere between, 'Oh, this is definitely going to blow up,' and 'I don't care if it ever goes anywhere. I love these songs and I want to play with him.'" (Keyboard Magazine)

During the dry spell, Rami kept that faith in Jakob and in the Wallflowers. He paid the bills by delivering pizza for Damiano's (across the street from Canter's Deli) and playing with local acts such as El Vez. Although his session appearances were becoming more frequent, and he had some enticing tour opportunities (such as with Lenny Kravitz), Rami had to make some tough decisions. "Jakob was always writing, trying to keep things going. I was always playing and doing sessions [in order to] make ends meet... I kept denying anything that would take me away from Jakob,” said Rami (Jewish Exponent, 1998). It was also obvious to Rami that he had something to offer Jakob and the band... and especially the songs. “I believe in these songs and I'm here for the duration, because no one is writing songs like these anymore, songs that have room for a Hammond organ and me." (Pittsburgh Gazette 6.11.93)

Rami's dedication stayed strong even in the face of uncertainty with record contracts and band membership. In 1994 the Wallflowers were signed by Interscope Records and they began to work on their second release. Simultaneously, Rami found himself in high demand as a studio musician, working frequently for other artists with producers Paul Fox (who produced the Wallflowers' debut), Matt Hyde, and Rick Neigher. Rami took nothing for granted. As a result, 1996 brought us new albums by artists such as Rickie Lee Jones, The Hookers, Tina & the B-side Movement, Leah Andreone, Chalk Farm, and Phil Cody--all bearing the Jaffee name on their liner notes (often mispelled). Also released in 1996 was The Wallflowers' sophomore release, "Bringing Down the Horse," which would go on to sell over 5 million copies.

The extensive tour and promotion that followed the release of the album helped them gain recognition. Between 1996 and 1997, The Wallflowers were featured in all of the industry magazines, received abundant radio play, appeared frequently on television, and earned several award nominations. In 1997 Rami's personal life also changed. His first child was born. He left the tour in mid July 1997 on parental leave. Chris Joyner filled in for Rami until he returned in September.

In 1998, The Wallflowers returned to the studio to record “Heroes” for the Godzilla Soundtrack, which earned them another Grammy nomination that year.

Since the release of “Bringing Down the Horse,” Rami continued his outside studio work, playing with such popular acts as Everclear, Grant Lee Buffalo, and Richie Sambora. More recently, he's been featured on releases by newcomer Macy Gray, lesser-knowns Jeremy Toback and Joe Henry, and heavy-hitters Melissa Etheridge and Garth Brooks (both produced by Don Was).

At the end of 1998, when the Wallflowers tour finally began to slow down, Rami expanded his musical talents. He began producing for his friend and former labelmate, Phil Cody, whose album "Big Slow Mover" is now available for online purchase. from www.philcody.com. His future production credits include Andy If, whose album, tentatively titled "Memories of Connecticut" is due out in 2002 as well as several production credits for the band "The Color Green" who's 5 song EP can be heard at MP3.com In addition, Rami formed a production team with fellow Wallflower Greg Richling. Watch for thier work on 4 Star Mary's "Welcome Home" due out in early 2002.

In September 2000, the band set out on on the road again in support of "Breach", released October 10, 2000. Starting out slowly with some highly anticipated club dates, the Wallflowers geared up for another year on the road. Highlights of the tour included well received opening acts like Minibar and John Doe as well as the honor of opening shows for veterans Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and The Who.

As the tour wound down in late summer and fall of 2001, the band enthusiastically reported that they were already recording new material and that they were anxious to return to the recording studio once the tour was over. The Breach tour ended on 09.22.01 in Noblesville, IN— finishing off a set of opening dates for John Mellencamp.

In November, 2002, The Wallflowers released their fourth album "Red Letter Days". The band toured extensively in 2002/2003 with some appearances following in 2004, including a historic concert aboard the U.S.S. Stennis, an aircraft carrier out at sea.

With a new drummer on board, the band is set to release Rebel, Sweetheart, their fifth offering, on May 24, 2005. Tours of the US and Europe will follow.

To keep up-to-date on all of Rami's musical endeavors, be sure to visit The Rami Lounge: ramijaffee.com.

A special thank you to the Lounge Manager for her input & support on this biography. Photos used with permission and are not to be displayed elsewhere.

For more on Rami see:
Influences
Road Notes