This Northern Virginia native began his music career on piano and drums. At the age of thirteen, he picked up his first electric bass and by the age of sixteen could be found performing at some of the DC area's most infamous clubs including the 9:30 Club, The Bayou, and Hammerjack's.

​

After highschool he was off to Los Angeles for a summer program at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood. After returning home, he soon received a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. While in Boston, he became immersed in studies of rock, blues, funk and jazz and began fine-tuning his playing, performance and teaching skills. In Boston he landed his first of a series of paid gigs as a musician, but was still drawn to the west coast. In 2004 he returned to Los Angeles in search of bigger and better performing and recording experiences.

​

In 2009, after 5 years of performing, writing, and recording in Los Angeles, CA, he moved back to the DC Metro area. Shortly thereafter, he started Bones Jones Music with the intent to provide a unique and modern approach to music instruction aimed at improving each students' musicianship in an engaging, challenging, and fun manner. He has been playing, performing, and recording for over twenty years and loves sharing his experience with students!

Jeff Carmella started playing guitar by ear in southwestern PA at 17.  He received his first guitar, a Montgomery Wards acoustic guitar, as a present from his older brother Ron. Then cousin Floyd Dorazio (aka Tyk) showed him his first few chords on that acoustic guitar, and he hasn’t stopped since. His first band, in 1979, was a country/southern rock band called The Good Neighbors Band which gained local recognition by winning a original composition contest with a song called “Kentucky Whiskey and Pennsylvania Women”. Since relocating to Maryland he has been a member of several different bands including: J.C and the HepCats and The Jeff Carmella Band in which he enjoys playing for swing dances in the Washington metropolitan area and for other community events.  He enjoys playing a variety of genres: jazz, swing, blues, country and rockabilly as well as his original music. He has shared the stage with such names as Leon Russell, Link Wray, Bill Kirchen, Johnny Castle (The Nighthawks/The Thrillbilly’s), Seth Justman (The J. Geils Band), Dave Elliott (Danny Gatton/Redneck Jazz) and Mark Noone (The Slickee Boys). As a teacher Jeff relies on his vast musical knowledge to expand his students musical vocabulary in a fun and creative manner. His focus on the fundamentals gives each of his students a solid foundation from which to grow.