J.D. Hughes
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Bringing a smile to every situation is a honest description of Jeffrey D. Hughes (aka J.D.). Born in 1984 in St. Louis,
MO, he grew up quite like a normal suburb child mainly interested in playing sports and with friends. It was not till
his brother began taking guitar lessons that J.D. really started paying attention to music. At age of 13 he was
intrigued to see his older brother playing the songs they were both listening to and decided then to try it himself. He
started taking lessons from Howard Langworthy and developed quite a love for his instrument which is primarily the
guitar. He stopped taking lessons and continued on his own pursuit reading books about technique and shred guitar
playing. J.D. joined a heavy metal band with his older brother and they both loved it. Trading back blistering solos
became their trademark. They would play side by side for 7 years.
In early 2003 J.D. found a new love - Latin Jazz. The heavy percussion drive and sensual horn playing sent chills
down his spine. He was instantly driven for a new direction in his playing. Primarily a rock/metal player he found
those styles quite limiting as to what he now wanted to hear come forth from his soul. Studying the likes of Arturo
Sandoval and Irakere he began to drift away from heavy music altogether in his playing. Then in late 2005 he joined
a friend in a Latin involved project called Menache. There was only a need for a bass player at the time so he took a
new instrument, the bass guitar. J.D. has always tried to play other instruments (piano, banjo, percussion, bass, and
drums) but his main focus has always been with the guitar. So after a little adjusting from playing melodies and solos
to sticking to the rhythm section of the music he has meshed quite well into the Menache project.
While still playing in Menache and working a full-time job as a carpenter in training disaster struck in June of 2006.
After five weeks of grueling fevers he was diagnosed with AML (Acute Mylegenous Leukemia). His music took a
drastic halt as he was hospitalized for six weeks and fought for his life at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Still
an acoustic guitar was by his side in the hospital. Music became so much more to him than ever before, a way to
funnel out the pain from within his mind and soul. Through the help of family and friends J.D. had a miraculous
recovery by early 2007 and has rejoined Menache and also began taking lessons again to propel his playing to the
never ending pursuit of musical bliss.
MO, he grew up quite like a normal suburb child mainly interested in playing sports and with friends. It was not till
his brother began taking guitar lessons that J.D. really started paying attention to music. At age of 13 he was
intrigued to see his older brother playing the songs they were both listening to and decided then to try it himself. He
started taking lessons from Howard Langworthy and developed quite a love for his instrument which is primarily the
guitar. He stopped taking lessons and continued on his own pursuit reading books about technique and shred guitar
playing. J.D. joined a heavy metal band with his older brother and they both loved it. Trading back blistering solos
became their trademark. They would play side by side for 7 years.
In early 2003 J.D. found a new love - Latin Jazz. The heavy percussion drive and sensual horn playing sent chills
down his spine. He was instantly driven for a new direction in his playing. Primarily a rock/metal player he found
those styles quite limiting as to what he now wanted to hear come forth from his soul. Studying the likes of Arturo
Sandoval and Irakere he began to drift away from heavy music altogether in his playing. Then in late 2005 he joined
a friend in a Latin involved project called Menache. There was only a need for a bass player at the time so he took a
new instrument, the bass guitar. J.D. has always tried to play other instruments (piano, banjo, percussion, bass, and
drums) but his main focus has always been with the guitar. So after a little adjusting from playing melodies and solos
to sticking to the rhythm section of the music he has meshed quite well into the Menache project.
While still playing in Menache and working a full-time job as a carpenter in training disaster struck in June of 2006.
After five weeks of grueling fevers he was diagnosed with AML (Acute Mylegenous Leukemia). His music took a
drastic halt as he was hospitalized for six weeks and fought for his life at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Still
an acoustic guitar was by his side in the hospital. Music became so much more to him than ever before, a way to
funnel out the pain from within his mind and soul. Through the help of family and friends J.D. had a miraculous
recovery by early 2007 and has rejoined Menache and also began taking lessons again to propel his playing to the
never ending pursuit of musical bliss.
