A native of Southern California, Jeff Linsky began playing the guitar at the age of ten. His passion for music and for the guitar, in particular, was immediately apparent. He played everything he heard by ear, from the popular music on the radio to his own interpretations of symphonies. He played along with records, he played along with the television - he even had his guitar with him at the dinner table. This passion, and the resultant ear training and dexterity he gained from it, did not go unnoticed. Local music store owner and respected guitarist Gene Leis took an interest in Jeff's playing. Gene introduced the enthusiastic young guitarist to many of Los Angeles' top studio guitar players, including Laurindo Almeida, Johnny deRose, Ron Anthony, Jimmy Stewart, Vicente Gomez and Joe Pass. Spending time with these accomplished musicians proved to be highly educational. Although primarily a self-taught musician, Jeff took time to study privately with both Spanish guitar virtuoso Vicente Gomez and jazz great Joe Pass.

By 17, Jeff was already touring professionally as a sideman, sharing the stage with pop groups like the Grass Roots and The Standells. At 19, he decided to focus on combining his classical guitar technique with his interest in improvisation and jazz, and began his world travels as a solo guitar player. Jeff "paid his dues" as a solo artist in such remote outposts as Hawaii, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and the Mediterranean, never once complaining about having to endure another summer in the South of France. Always eager to experience different cultures and musical influences, Jeff met and performed with a variety of artists - from the popular Gypsy violinist Markus Reinhardt (Django's nephew) in Germany to ukulele master Ohta-San in Hawaii. Although Jeff became known for his polyphonic solo guitar improvising, he also enjoyed performing in duet with other respected guitarists, including jazz legend Jim Hall in Europe and the Brazilian maestro Carlos Barbosa-Lima.

In 1988, Jeff signed with Concord Records, releasing the classic CD "Up Late" the same year. Of that popular recording, Jazz Scene Magazine raved: "If, for some unfathomable reason, Latin Jazz has not yet gotten into your blood or touched your soul, then this is the album that will make you a believer!"

Jeff continued to compose in a Latin jazz style on his next project, "Simpatico" (GSPJAZ), featuring former Weather Report members Alex Acuna on drums and Alphonso Johnson on the bass. "Simpatico" was highly acclaimed as well, garnering a nomination for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year from NAIRD. Although Jeff's next several CD's varied in style, from the more jazzy, improvised CD “Solo” (GSPJAZ), recognized as a Top Ten CD in Downbeat Magazine's Critics' Poll and included in The 100 Greatest Jazz Albums of All Time, to the contemporary jazz/pop project, Passport to the Heart (Concord), Jeff is still perhaps best known as a Latin Jazz artist. He was even given the title of "Honorary Hispanic" by Latin Beat Magazine. The Mel Bay Folio and DVD, Jeff Linsky/Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar Solos, significantly reinforces that perception, featuring Jeff's original compositions in performance with the noted percussionist Michael Spiro.

For more than three decades, Jeff Linsky has traveled the world with his guitar, recording several critically acclaimed albums along the way. His guitar is featured on many recordings for other musicians and composers, as well, and on several compilation albums for Concord Jazz. With his endless repertoire, wonderful improvisational skills, a dry sense of humor and warm stage presence, Jeff has played many of the world's finest concert halls and has been invited to perform privately for Presidents and Royalty. Also an award-winning composer, Jeff has written for film and television in the US and abroad.