Jeff Gitelman (born February 5, 1982) is a record producer, musician and songwriter from Chișinău, Moldova. He is known for his work with the band The Stepkids, which formed in 2010.[1] He is also known for his composition, production, and instrumentation for J. Cole, H.E.R., Jennifer Lopez, Mac Miller and Anderson .Paak.[2] He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for his work on H.E.R.'s 2019 album I Used to Know Her.[3]

Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman
Also known asGitty
Born (1982-02-05) February 5, 1982 (age 42)
OriginKishinev, Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active1996–present
Formerly ofThe Stepkids

Early life

edit

Jeff Gitelman was born on February 5, 1982, to a Jewish family in Soviet-ruled Moldavia. He and his family emigrated from Chișinău, Moldova in 1991 and moved to New Haven, Connecticut. His interest in music developed in his early childhood when he found a guitar in a trash can and his father fixed it for him. He subsequently learned how to speak English through listening to and learning how to play Western music, notably The Beatles.[4]

Career

edit

Performing

edit

Gitelman's music career began while attending Amity Regional High School. After graduating from Amity, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. His first professional job was recording and touring with Lauryn Hill,[5] which led to Gitelman being hired as a touring guitarist for Alicia Keys, as well as performances with Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Chance the Rapper[6][7] and others.

The Stepkids

edit

In 2010, Gitelman, along with Tim Walsh and Dan Edinberg formed The Stepkids, a psychedelic soul band. They released their debut self-titled album The Stepkids (album) in 2011 under Stones Throw Records.[8] The band toured and collaborated with Kimbra, Mayer Hawthorne and Aloe Blacc.

Independent work and Production

edit

Following his work with The Stepkids, Gitelman relocated to Los Angeles, California, to focus on production. His guitar, production, composition, and writing is featured on J. Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive,[9] H.E.R.'s I Used to Know Her, Anderson .Paak's Oxnard,[10] Donnie Trumpet's Surf,[11] Mac Miller's Swimming[12] and The Divine Feminine,[13] ASAP Ferg's Always Strive and Prosper,[14] as well as work with Camila Cabello, Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremih, Kid Ink, Trey Songz, Rick Ross, and others.

Education

edit

Gitelman has worked in music education, serving on the Panel of Music Industry Advisors at the 2015 Grammy Camp in Los Angeles, and conducting lectures and seminars on composition, production, music business, and performance to young musicians throughout the USA. In 2005, Gitelman co-founded the American Roots Music program, an initiative to teach young adults grades one through twelve the history of American music through performance and lecture. In 2015, Gitelman was inducted into his alma mater Amity High School's hall of fame.[15]

In 2016, Gitelman founded the Duality School of Music, that began programming during the Fall 2017 semester at Amity High School in Woodbridge, Connecticut.[16]

Discography

edit
  • The Stepkids (2011)
  • Direct To Disc – Stones Throw Records Live Album (2012)
  • Troubadour (2013)
  • Wanderers EP (2011)

Solo work

edit

Production, composition, and writing discography

edit

2023

edit
Hozier - Eat Your Young
  • 3. "Through Me (The Flood)"

2022

edit
The Weeknd - Dawn FM
  • 6. "A Tale By Quincy"

2021

edit
Jorja Smith - Be Right Back
  • 3. "Bussdown" (feat. Shaybo)
  • 6. "Burn"

2020

edit
Alina Baraz - It Was Divine
  • 8. "Night And Morning"
  • 14. "Be Good"
  • 15. "Until I Met You (feat. Nas)"
Kelly Clarkson

KSIDissimulation

  • 1. "What You Been On"
Mac MillerCircles
  • 13. "Right"
Chloe x HalleUngodly Hour
  • 7. "Busy Boy"
  • 11. "Don't Make It Harder on Me"
Usher

2019

edit
Allen Stone
  • "Sweaters"
BoogieEverythings for Sale
  • 01. "Tired/Reflections"
Brandy
  • "Freedom Rings"
Childish MajorDirt Road Diamond
  • 01. "Necessary Pressure"
  • 02. "To My Little Homies"
  • 04. "For You"
Dinah Jane
GallantSweet Insomnia
  • 11. "Sleep On It"
H.E.R.I Used to Know Her
  • 01. "Lost Souls" ft. DJ Scratch
  • 06. "Can't Help Me"
  • 08. "Feel A Way"
  • 09. "21"
  • 10. "Racks" ft. YBN Cordae
  • 15. "Take You There"
  • 16. "As I Am"
JoJo
  • "Joanna"
SiRChasing Summer
  • 02. "John Redcorn"
Terrace Martin
  • "Intimidated"

2018

edit
Anderson .PaakOxnard
Camila CabelloCamila
  • 02. "All These Years"
ChicIt's About Time
Jacob Banks – Village
  • 04. "Prosecco"
Mac MillerSwimming
  • 01. "Come Back to Earth"
  • 07. "Ladders"
NaoSaturn
  • 10. "Drive and Disconnect"

2017

edit
Trey SongzTremaine the Album
  • 08. "She Lovin It"
Jeremih
Rick RossRather You Than Me
  • 10. "Scientology" (composition)

2016

edit
Mac MillerThe Divine Feminine
A$AP FergAlways Strive and Prosper
  • 01. "Rebirth"
  • 05. "Psycho"

2015

edit
Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment – Surf
  • 01. "Miracle"
  • 02. "Slip Slide"
  • 03. "Warm Enough"
  • 05. "Wanna Be Cool"
  • 10. "SmthnthtIwnt"
  • 11. "Go"
KarminLeo Rising
LogicThe Incredible True Story
  • 18. "The Incredible True Story"
OutasightBig Trouble

2014

edit
Pharoahe MonchPTSD
  • 16. "Eht Dnarg Noisulli"

2011

edit
Jennifer HudsonI Remember Me
  • guitar

2009

edit
Alicia KeysThe Element of Freedom
  • guitar

Awards and nominations

edit
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 I Used to Know Her Grammy Award for Album of the Year Nominated [17]
2024 "On My Mama" Record of the Year Nominated [18]
Best R&B Song Nominated

References

edit
  1. ^ ""Shadows on Behalf"". Pitchfork. February 8, 2011.
  2. ^ "Jeff Gitelman | Credits". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Hayes, Dade (November 20, 2019). "Grammy Nominations: Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X Lead Way – Complete List Of Noms". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  4. ^ "The Stepkids' Jeff Gitelman talks about growing up in Moldova and playing with Lauryn Hill".
  5. ^ "The Stepkids' Jeff Gitelman talks about growing up in Moldova and playing with Lauryn Hill".
  6. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Rivera with Jeff Gitelman/Alicia keys back stage". YouTube.
  7. ^ "Album of the Week: Stream the Stepkids' Vintage Yacht-Funk Jazz Odyssey 'Troubadour'". September 4, 2013.
  8. ^ ""Shadows on Behalf"". Pitchfork. February 8, 2011.
  9. ^ "2014 Forest Hills Drive - J. Cole | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  10. ^ "Oxnard - Anderson .Paak | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  11. ^ "Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment: Surf". Pitchfork.
  12. ^ "Swimming - Mac Miller | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  13. ^ "The Divine Feminine - Mac Miller | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  14. ^ "Always Strive and Prosper - A$AP Ferg | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  15. ^ "Amity Regional School District Presents 2015 Hall of Honor Ceremony | Orange Town News". orangetownnews.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015.
  16. ^ "the duality school of music". www.dualityschoolofmusic.org. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  17. ^ "Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman". GRAMMY.com. May 19, 2020.
  18. ^ "2023 GRAMMYs Awards: Complete Nominations List". GRAMMY.com. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.