For more than two decades, Ted Hefko has plied his trade as a saxophonist, clarinetist, singer, and strummer of guitars, but first and foremost he is a songsmith, rooted in the blues. His band, 'Ted Hefko and The Thousandaires', -- with Hefko on vocals, guitar, and tenor sax -- brings raw life lessons and stories - ones of hope and hustlers, saints and strays, drifters and the down-and-out - to life with the rough-hewn tone of backwoods folk and the raucous vibrancy of classic Louisiana Rhythm and Blues. Their 2018 album, Gas Station Guru, received high acclaim, streaming on airways across the world. Since that time, Ted and the band have been hard at work on their newest album, Down Below, diving deep and digging into the ups and downs of life. The album features a cross-section of New Orleans talent, blending Hefko's jazz and folk roots with a new electric country/Americana sound.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Hefko began writing lyrics in the second grade and picked up the guitar and sax just a few years later. Fresh out of high school, he caught a Greyhound bus down I-55 to follow his dreams. After honing his chops in New Orleans, Ted began touring across the US and gigging around town.

Hefko made big moves to New York City in 2003, following his heart and trying his hand at big-city life. After some years working as a movie extra and playing gigs of every sort, he began leading his own groups and writing original songs, pulling in early influences from blues, country, and folk songs he loved as a child.

He released his first all-original album in 2009, Egyptland, a collection of scenes and stories set in New Orleans. This was followed by the more playful If I Walked on Water. A few years later, he and his live band recorded Distillations of The Blues in New Orleans and rekindled his love of the city.

New Orleans, It's been seven years since Hefko returned to New Orleans, where his unique mix of talents and love of roots music is a perfect fit.