Often regarded as Rock's voice for hire, Jeff Scott Soto's workrate has been nothing less than prolific since he left Swedish guitar God YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, having vocalised on 1984's 'Rising Force' and 1985's 'Marching Out', being most noteworthy for his frontman role with Swedish based TALISMAN and Germany's AXEL RUDI PELL. The singer was born in Brookly, New York on 4th November 1965.

Initially, an 18 year old Soto had fronted demos in 1984 for PANTHER. After his YNGWIE MALMSTEEN tenure Soto sessioned on Japanese guitarist KUNI's 1988 record 'Lookin' For Action'. In 1990 he headed up EYES and also fronted Swedish band TALISMAN on their eponymous debut. The vocalist would also briefly front the Rudy Sarzo / Craig Goldy DRIVER project, his own outfit SLAM in 1992 with guitarist GARY SCHUTT and IMPELLITERRI. That same year the singer allied himself with German guitar hero AXEL RUDI PELL for the album 'Eternal Prisoner'.

Possibly the most questionable project Soto has got involved with was the soundtrack album for the 1993 'Biker Mice From Mars' animated cartoon. Hearing Soto singing songs like 'A Mouse And His Motorcycle' had some critics questioning the man's motivation! Soto, under a pseudonym, was also involved with the short-lived Christian Rock act KRYST THE CONQUEROR with ex-MISFITS personnel and also, once again anonymously, with spoof Metal band SKRÄPP METTLE.

1993 saw Soto handling lead vocals on TAKARA's 'Eternal Faith', EYES 'Windows Of The Soul' and AXEL RUDI PELL's 'The Ballads'. Further work with TALISMAN heightened Soto's profile with the 'Genesis' album in 1993 and two outings the following year, 'Humanial' and 'Humanimal II'.

Soto released his Funk Rock influenced, 1994 'Love Parade' album through Zero Corporation in Japan and German imprint Long Island Records in Europe. Guitars on the record, which featured a cover version of QUEEN's 'Dragon Attack', were supplied notably by GARY SCHUTT and ex-HANOVER FIST guitarist George Bernhardt. Keyboards were supplied by Julie Greaux.

Soto returned to work with AXEL RUDI PELL on his 1994 offering 'Between The Walls', concert recording 'Live In Germany' in 1995 and another studio set 'Black Moon Pyramid' then was back with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN on his covers album of 1996 billed 'Inspiration'. The prolific AXEL RUDI PELL also employed Soto for 1997's 'Magic'. He then stepped out of the Rock circuit, finding regular employment with Funk Boogie band THE BOOGIE KNIGHTS. In this capicity he sang on their 1997 album 'Welcome To The Jungle Boogie'. TAKARA invited Soto back for their 1998 opus 'Blind In Paradise'.

In April of 2001 Soto unexpectedly rejoined YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's live band when former incumbent JORN LANDE quit mid tour. The singer would also land the job of supplying behind the scenes vocals to the movie 'Rock Star' contributing all the singing parts for actor Jason Flemying.

Soto's vocals would grace another movie in 2001, the Anne Rice penned 'Queen Of The Damned'. The singer's voice would be used on five tracks written by KORN's Jonathon Davis. Soto would apparently also contribute his songwriting skills to a 2002 comeback album for Pop Rock veterans STARSHIP.

A second solo album, billed as 'Prism', arrived in November 2002 in Europe through Frontiers and in Japan via the King Records label in December. The track, 'I Will Take You Higher', notably featured as a duet with former DEEP PURPLE star GLENN HUGHES.Studio guitars came courtesy of Gary Schutt, George Bernhardt, Alex Llorens, Jody Whitesides, Jay Michael, Mikos Scarbacci and Howie Simon with bass donated by Michael Scott, Anthony Paapa and Doug McRoy. Keyboard duties were handled by Sam Isanogud whilst drum tracks were laid down by Glen Sobel and Alex Papa.

Soto, having rejoined TALISMAN, pulled together a live solo band comprising of guitarist Howie Simon, TAKARA bass player Gary Schutt and drummer Alex Papa for his performance at the 2002 'Gods' concert in England. Two tracks from this show, 'Again 2 Be Found' and 'Stand Up', would be used for Soto's next solo single, a cover version of the JOURNEY hit 'Send Her My Love'.

In October Soto got to share the stage with QUEEN members BRIAN MAY and ROGER TAYLOR at a Los Angeles club gig following QUEEN's inauguration into the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 18th. After the ceremony the singer performed QUEEN numbers with a further supporting cast of guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of EXTREME and STEVE VAI along with drummer CARMINE APPICE.

In November it was learned that the singer had assembled a Rap flavoured Nu-Metal project dubbed REDLIST, working in league with former ANNIHILATOR guitarist Neil Goldberg, keyboard player and programmer Dave Fraser with a rapper named Eric.

JEFF SCOTT SOTO and his band comprising former ICE WATER MANSION, STORM WARNING, TAMPLIN and ALCOHOLICA guitarist Howie Simon, TAKARA bass player Gary Schutt and drummer Alex Papa, would perform a lengthy set of QUEEN numbers at the UK 2003 Queen Convention. This entire set would be subsequently issued on DVD. February 2004 brought major news for fans of Soto as it was learned he was to front a new 'supergroup' comprising the JOURNEY pairing of guitarist NEAL SCHON and drummer Deen Castronovo alongside the THIN LIZZY, TED NUGENT and WHITESNAKE credited bassist Marco Mendoza. In May this union took on the band title of SOUL SIRKUS. Amidst all this activity, Soto found time to guest on Christian Rivel of NARNIA's ambitious epic Rock project AUDIOVISION's 'The Calling' album.

Alex Papa exited Soto's band in March. He would be replaced by the IMPELLITTERI and BEAUTIFUL CREATURES credited Glen Sobel whilst Dave Dzialak took on the job for live shows. In May Jeff and his solo band undertook a run of UK gigs. Soto's inaugural Australian shows were announced for September in support of new 2004 album through Frontiers entitled 'Lost In The Translation'. This outing included songwriting contributions from NEAL SCHON, who also featured in the studio alongside Howie Simon, Alex Lloren and Gary Schutt on guitar with Glen Sobel on drums.

The singer would also partner with guitarist REB BEACH for a rendition of AC/DC's 'Problem Child' included on the Rufftown 'We Salute You' tribute album and also lent vocals to a version of UFO's 'Doctor Doctor' included on the MICHAEL SCHENKER 'Heavy Hitters' covers album.

Following a high profile UK gig at the 'Firefest' event in May fronting SOUL SIRKUS, Soto returned to the UK for headline dates in September. With reguar bassist Gary Schutt opting out the four-string position was newly delegated to ex-SLAM man Chris McCarvill.

In 2006 the Frontiers label compiled a collection of Soto's mellower moments for the compilation 'JSS - The Essential Ballads'. The collection included three brand new tracks, 'Through It All', 'Last Mistake' and 'Another Try'. Soto stepped up into the big league during mid 2006 as he assumed lead singer duties for JOURNEY on July 7th in Bristow, Virginia, replacing Steve Augeri who was forced to bow out due to a "Chronic throat infection".

Soto featured on the VAN HALEN song 'So This Is Love?' included on the tribute album '80s Metal Tribute To Van Halen' released by Deadline Records in September 2006. The singer also fronted up a metalized version of THE BEATLES 'Magical Mystery Tour' for the Restless Records tribute album 'Butchering The Beatles' released in October, this track also involving YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, guitarist Bob Kulick from BALANCE and the MEAT LOAF band, DOKKEN, DIO and FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson plus W.A.S.P. and QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali.

In December 2006 JOURNEY officially welcomed Jeff Scott Soto into the band with an announcement stating "Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family.' However, as soon as touring was completed Soto was let go, JOURNEY fans learning of this with an official dismissal posted on the official website on 12th June 2007.

A 2008 solo album, 'Beautiful Mess' issued on his custom imprint Sewtoe Music, would be supported by shows in August held in Bulgaria, followed by an inclusion at the 'Firefest' festival in Nottingham, UK in October. European touring commenced in April 2009, for which Soto employed an all new live band, being joined by Madrid native Jorge Salan on lead guitar plus TAKO bassist Fernando Mainer plus Brazilians the TEMPESTT team of drummer Edu Cominato and guitarist BJ.

During 2008 Jeff Scott Soto forged the W.E.T. trio alongside BRAZEN ABBOT, AMAZE ME and ECLIPSE's Erik Mårtensson and WORK OF ART guitar player Robert Säll. A debut album was recorded for the Italian Frontiers label for November 2009 release.

Garry Sharpe-Young