This article was accepted into the corpus but its outbound wikilinks were never NER-processed — typical at the deepest BFS hop or when the run's entity cap was reached. No expansion funnel to show.
| Jason Scheff | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jason Scheff |
| Birth name | Jason Scheff |
| Birth date | 16 July 1962 |
| Birth place | San Diego, California, United States |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, bassist, musician |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Associated acts | Chicago, Bobby Kimball, Toto, Peter Cetera, Bill Champlin |
Jason Scheff is an American singer, songwriter, and bassist best known for his long tenure as the lead vocalist and bassist of the rock band Chicago. He replaced founding member Peter Cetera and performed on stage and in the studio with Chicago through major tours and recordings, contributing original compositions and co-writing charting singles. Scheff's career spans collaborations with artists from Toto to Bobby Kimball and involvement in philanthropic and advocacy efforts.
Born in San Diego, California in 1962, Scheff is the son of jazz and big band drummer Jerry Scheff and educator Sandra Scheff (note: avoid linking family where not prominent). He grew up in a musical household with influences from Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, and Stevie Wonder through family exposure and regional performances. As a youth he studied bass guitar and vocal technique, receiving early training in local music programs and participating in high school ensembles that performed covers of The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and The Beach Boys. Scheff later moved to Los Angeles to pursue professional opportunities, integrating into the Southern California session scene with connections to artists on labels such as Warner Bros. Records, A&M Records, and Columbia Records.
Scheff joined Chicago in 1985, succeeding Peter Cetera as the band's lead male vocalist and bassist during a period that included collaborations with producers from David Foster-associated projects and songwriters linked to Chicago VII. His first major recording with Chicago was on albums and tours that followed the band's 1980s pop-rock phase involving singles influenced by Adult Contemporary trends and power ballad production associated with figures like Richard Marx and Jonathan Cain. Scheff sang lead on the band's hit "Will You Still Love Me?" predecessor material and was credited as a co-writer on songs that appeared on albums released on Full Moon Records and catalogued through Reprise Records distribution. During his tenure Scheff performed in major venues and festivals including appearances at Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium, and Hollywood Bowl, and collaborated onstage with Chicago alumni and guest artists such as Robert Lamm, Bill Champlin, and session musicians from the L.A. studio scene. Scheff remained with Chicago for several decades, participating in legacy tours, anniversary concerts, and retrospective compilations that highlighted the band's chart history on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200.
Outside Chicago, Scheff released solo records and engaged in collaborative projects with prominent musicians. He worked with former Toto members and vocalists like Bobby Kimball and contributed vocals to charity singles and soundtrack sessions connected to producers from Los Angeles and Nashville, Tennessee. Scheff's solo discography includes studio albums distributed through independent labels and sold directly on tour; he also formed side projects that reunited him with Chicago bandmates and session players who had worked with acts such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Stevie Nicks. Collaborations extended to participating in benefit concerts alongside artists from Earth, Wind & Fire, Journey, and Foreigner, and contributing to tribute recordings honoring the catalogs of The Beatles, Elton John, and Carole King.
Scheff's songwriting blends melodic pop-rock sensibilities with elements of R&B phrasing and polished studio production common to 1980s and 1990s adult contemporary hits associated with producers such as David Foster and Babyface. He co-wrote songs for Chicago and other artists, showcasing a facility for hook-based choruses, blended harmonies, and bass lines that underpin melodic vocal arrangements reminiscent of Paul McCartney and Stuart Adamson. His vocal range and timbre enabled him to cover material by Peter Gabriel, Bryan Adams, and Chicago classics in live settings, while his bass technique drew from influences including James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, and session players from the Muscle Shoals tradition. Scheff's compositions have appeared on albums that charted on industry lists such as the Billboard Adult Contemporary and have been licensed for radio formats aligned with Classic Hits programming.
Scheff has balanced touring and studio work with family life based primarily in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. He has been involved in philanthropic activities, performing at benefit concerts for causes associated with medical research, disaster relief, and music education programs supported by organizations like Musicians On Call and local charities. Scheff has publicly supported initiatives to preserve music history and endorse music programs in schools, aligning with institutions and events tied to Grammy Awards outreach and community arts organizations in California and beyond.
Throughout his career Scheff has been recognized for his work with Chicago through industry acknowledgments related to the band’s collective achievements, including chart placements on the Billboard Hot 100 and retrospective honors at anniversary events. His recordings and performances have been celebrated by fan communities and music historians in publications covering rock music and adult contemporary formats, and he has been credited in liner notes and anthology releases alongside notable collaborators such as David Foster, Peter Cetera, and Bill Champlin.
Category:1962 births Category:American male singers Category:American bass guitarists Category:Chicago (band) members