Ty Jeffries

Ty Jeffries is a British composer, lyricist, pianist and singer. He is best known for his onstage persona of Miss Hope Springs. He is the son of British character actor, screenwriter and director Lionel Jeffries.

Ty Jeffries in 2019

Early life

Jeffries was born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. His childhood was split between schools in England and Los Angeles.[1]

He appeared alongside his father on an edition of Simon Dee's chat show Dee Time in 1968.

He began playing the piano and writing songs at age 5. He performed for guests at family parties, including Elmer Bernstein, Fred Astaire, Shirley MacLaine and Diana Dors.[2][3]

At 14 he was offered his first publishing deal by songwriter/publishing duo Bill Martin and Phil Coulter. In 1984 he signed as a songwriter to Elton John’s publishing company Rocket Music.[4]

Jeffries attended The Purcell School of Music in London where he studied piano, violin, voice and composition.[2] He has a BA in performance art.[5]

While living in NYC Jeffries became friends with Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean Michel Basquiat, and composed music for fashion shows at The Palladium nightclub.[4][6]

Career

He began his professional career as a musician playing the piano and singing nightly at venues such as Langan’s Brasserie in Mayfair, The Roof Gardens in Kensington and The Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly.[6]

In the 1990s Jeffries was the keyboard player for Billy MacKenzie and The Associates. He worked with Neneh Cherry and Chaka Khan. He wrote songs for Carol Kenyon and is credited as co-writer on Kenyon's "Warrior Woman".

Jeffries worked as a male model for designers including Jean Paul Gaultier, Comme Des Garcons and Versace.[2] He has been on the cover of the British, American, French and Italian editions of Vogue.

His musical style spans classical, vaudeville, music hall and Golden Age Hollywood musicals, as well as more experimental styles. He is a former mentee of Vangelis.[6]

He is a member of The British Academy of Songwriters Composers and Authors and The Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain.

Tracks from his solo classical piano album Dusk in the Luxembourg Gardens were featured by Suzy Klein on BBC Radio 3's Essential Classics show in May 2019.

Miss Hope Springs
Ty Jeffries as Miss Hope Springs and Lorna Luft backstage of their concerts at The Crazy Coqs, 2019[7][7]

Jeffries is best known for his onstage persona of Miss Hope Springs,[8] playing the piano and singing his cabaret songs. Jeffries plays Springs as a tragicomic ‘recovering showgirl’ looking back on her life and career. He has said that the character draws on the work of Danny La Rue, Jim Bailey, Victor Borge and Blossom Dearie[3] and is inspired partly by memories of fading Hollywood icons visiting his childhood home, as well as memories of him and his father watching old black-and-white films together.

In 2016 Jeffries became the first non-classical artist to play at Wigmore Hall.[2]

Awards
  • Best Cabaret BroadwayWorld Edinburgh Fringe Festival Awards 2019 [9]
  • Best Musical Variety Act London Cabaret Awards (shortlisted nominee) 2015[10]
  • Best Cabaret The Stage 2013[10]
  • So So Gay Best Stage Production 2012
  • Best Cabaret Brighton Fringe 2011

References
  1. Griffin, Stephen (2013-06-16). "Life's no drag for Lionel Jeffries's son Ty". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  2. Lawrence, Ben (2017-06-13). "Is London's smartest classical venue ready for Ty Jeffries – aka cabaret star Miss Hope Springs?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  3. N, Graeme (2017-11-26). "Carry On Blogging!: Carry On Blogging Interview: Ty Jeffries". Carry On Blogging!. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  4. Paton, Maureen (2012-01-28). "Dad was too much to compete with". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  5. "The Devil In Miss Hope Springs". > This Is Cabaret. 2017-06-13. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  6. "Miss Hope Springs' Cabaret Cool at Oasis". EDGE Media Network. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  7. "Events Archive". Brasseriezedel.com. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  8. "All About Hope". Misshopesprings.com. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  9. Desk, BWW News. "Winners Announced For The 2019 BroadwayWorld Edinburgh Fringe Festival Awards!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  10. "Playout pitch: Miss Hope Springs". London Live. 2014-11-25. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
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