Jeffrey Schechinger

Jeffrey James was born in a snow bank one dreary December winter evening in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The youngest of three boys, Jeffrey was inspired by his father, who was a drummer, and his older brothers to start piano at the age of nine. Drums came soon after, but it wasn’t until the age of 12 that Jeffrey would start guitar. His inspiration came from family favorites like The Beatles and Motown hits as well as punk rock that he played with his friends.

After moving to Florida, Jeffrey joined the school band. The band already had a drummer and three guitar players, so Jeffrey was handed a bass guitar. He played bass and drums throughout high school learning a lot from Denny Scott who was the band teacher and owner of Naples Park Music. A local music store that Jeffrey would work at on and off through school.

After high school, Jeffrey went on to the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami to study jazz bass. There he joined two bands; “The Jean Marie,” a Talking Heads inspired indie dance rock group, and “Rachel Goodrich,” a folky, 60s inspired songstress.

Jeffrey spent many years playing and touring with both bands opening for bands like the B52s, Bloc Party, HelloGoodbye, as well hitting the festival circuit. In 2010, The Jean Marie moved to Philadelphia to further the bands career. However, due to growing families, the band broke up and Jeffrey found himself moving back to Naples, Florida to be close to his family.

Upon returning to Naples, Jeffrey met Jenna, the love of his life who is still by his side along with their son, Jameson. Jeffrey played in many bands locally to fulfill his musical passions alongside working a full time day job. Through Denny Scott, Jeffrey was introduced to Matt Benfield. Together they played in a couple rock and country cover bands until Marcia recruited Matt and Jeffrey for her corporate band, “Winslow and the Rockefellers.”

After Covid forced musicians to hit the reset button, Matt, Marcia and Jeffrey set out to create an original band that blends jam, funk and country, and that’s when the Moonstone Riders were born.