Press Release
Source: Jensen Communications
Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, Jeff Skunk Baxter, known to millions of music fans from his groundbreaking work with Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers and Spirit, and from countless smash hit recordings he’s performed on as one of the most respected and sought-after studio musicians of his time, has announced that he’s returning to the East Coast for a run of tour dates set to kick off November 7th for a pair of shows at New York City’s famed Iridium Jazz Club.
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter – photo credit: Jimmy Steinfeldt
Tour dates are as follows:
November 7-8 – New York City, NY – Iridium Jazz Club
November 9 – Boston, MA – City Winery
November 11 – Hopewell, VA – Beacon Theater
November 12 – Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27
November 13 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere
November 14 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
November 16 – Yarmouth, MA – The Music Room
November 17 – Manchester, NH – The Rex Theater
November 18 – Roslyn, NY – My Father’s Place at the Roslyn Hotel
November 19 – Old Saybrook, CT – The Kate, Katherine Hepburn CAC
Baxter is continuing his highly successful tour in support of his debut solo album, Speed of Heat, which was released in 2022 by BMG/Renew Records to the delight of critics and fans alike. Joining the guitarist and singer on stage is a phenomenal group of musicians: Hank Horton (first-call session player and bassist for the Detroit Symphony) on bass and lead vocals, Mark Damian (top session and live player) on drums and vocals, and James Raymond (composer, studio and touring musician, and David Crosby’s son) on keyboards and vocals.
“We plan on performing virtually all the songs from Speed of Heat, along with a few surprises,” Baxter says. “The tours have gone extremely well, and it has been way too much fun and gratifying to perform these songs for a live audience, especially with a band as outstanding and amazing as the one I have the privilege of touring with me. The response has been incredible and just makes me want to keep on doing it!”
The success of Speed of Heat – a stellar 12-song set that features a host of brilliantly crafted originals co-written by Baxter and his co-producing and musical partner CJ Vanston, as well as inspired versions of classic tunes – continues to spread far and wide, with two new singles impacting radio simultaneously.
“My Place in the Sun,” a haunting, gripping ballad that features the sublime lead vocals of Baxter’s onetime Doobie Brothers bandmate Michael McDonald, was recently fourth most-added song at smooth jazz radio, according to Mediabase, and has already closed out one-third of the panel.
With its arresting groove, McDonald’s transfixing vocals and Baxter’s always impeccable guitar playing (he plays two lyrical and evocative solos that absolutely shine), “My Place in the Sun” is a contemporary sound that also recalls the uniquely brilliant artistry the two musicians shared on multiplatinum hit after hit in the Doobie Brothers.
The track has earned significant praise from critics. Rock and Blues Muse wrote, “Their call-and-response interplay is sublime, and the mood they create will keep you smooth and groovy all night long.”
At the same time, Baxter is heating up country radio with his rousing, hook-filled single “Bad Move,” which features the unmistakable lead vocals of country music superstar Clint Black. Co-written by Baxter, Black and Vanston, the song was originally intended as an instrumental, but as Baxter and Vanston worked on the album, numerous friends kept volunteering their time and talent – one of whom was Black.
The country legend reveals his mastery of musical eclecticism with his powerful and compelling vocal performance on “Bad Move,” which also includes an incendiary lead guitar and organ duke-out between Baxter and Vanston.
In addition to McDonald and Black, Speed of Heat features vocalists and songwriters, such as Jonny Lang and Rick Livingstone.
