Published

While completing his Masters in Colonial and Post-Colonial Literature at the University of Glasgow Jeff had the opportunity to study with world renowned scholars Nigel Leask (Oxford/Cambridge), Willy Maley (Cambridge), Colin Kidd and Mike Gonzalez. He received a Distinction for his Dissertation, which was externally examined by Peter Hulme (Exeter). During this period, Jeff's main interest was in late eighteenth-century abolitionist works and he focused on drawing fresh attention to the contributions of Ottobah Cugoano.

Upon his return to Canada, Jeff was hired as a Research Assistant at The Harriet Tubman Institute in Toronto, Canada.  He led the ‘Equiano Project’ under the Institute’s Director, Prof. Paul Lovejoy (Canadian Research Chair in African Diaspora History/Director of UNESCO Nigerian Hinterland Project), which will enable the public to access all known information on the life of Olaudah Equiano.  During the spring of 2009, Jeff had the opportunity to attend many conferences throughout Canada and conduct a series of webcast interviews with a variety of historians and activists including Toyin Falola, Catherine Coquery-Vidrovitch, Bruce Berman, Luiz Felipe de Alencastro, Congolese activist Dr. Ciakudia and Civil Rights activist (who worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) William McClain. 

In September 2009, Jeff began his Phd in History at York University (The Harriet Tubman Institute) with additional courses at the University of Toronto studying with Paul Lovejoy, Jose Curto and Stephen Rockel.  His focus is on African economic history with a particular interest in the history of the diamond trade in Sierra Leone and child soldiers.  Over the course of the past two years, Jeff has presented at conferences around the globe including George Washington University, The University of Hawai'i, The Wilberforce Institute, York University, The University of Buea (Cameroon), The Harriet Tubman Institute, and served as a Guest Lecturer at Trent University (Canada), and Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University in Thailand.   He had the privilege of attending a three-day masterclass at The Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation (WISE) (U of Hull) in the UK entitled: 'Slavery in all of its Forms, Historical Practices and Contemporary Problems'.  The masterclass featured leading historians Joel Quirk, David Richardson, Paul Lovejoy and Kevin Bales.  Most recently, in August 2011, Jeff a conducted a workshop at The Summer Institute at York University entitled: "Slavery, Memory, and Citizenship" that was sponsored by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  

Jeff landed his own guitar tips and music travel columns with Canadian music magazine Muzik Etc and Thailand guitar magazine The Guitar Mag.  His article on artificial harmonics will appear in Canadian Musician in Jan 2012.  He has written travel pieces for Verge Magazine and continues to contribute fashion/travel articles to YYZ Living and Fashion Studio 7 magazine.

Jeff has been published in fields as diverse as music, history, literary criticism and travel. You can read his articles below or click the link and access the journals and magazines directly for further reading.
 

Creating a Fresh Sound: Artificial Harmonics for Guitarists (Canadian Musician Magazine/ Jan-Feb 2012 Vol. XXXIV No. 1) . Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Canada. Online version available at: www.canadianmusician.com

 

Imitating Effects Pedals on the Guitar (The Guitar Mag / February  2012 Vol.43 Issue 2).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Scratching on the Guitar: Mastering the Art of the DJ Record Scratch on Guitar (The Guitar Mag / December  2011 Vol.42 Issue 12).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Bossa Nova Guitar (The Guitar Mag / November  2011 Vol.42 Issue 11).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available        at: www.theguitarmag.com

Clubbing Guitar (The Guitar Mag / October  2011 Vol.42 Issue 10).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Creating Hooks  (The Guitar Mag / September 2011 Vol.42 Issue 9).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Developing a Personalized Sound  (The Guitar Mag / August 2011 Vol.42 Issue 8).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Developing Rhythms on Guitar  (The Guitar Mag / July 2011 Vol.42 Issue 7).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com 

Reggae Guitar  (The Guitar Mag / June 2011 Vol.42 Issue 6).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Learning to Listen  (The Guitar Mag / May 2011 Vol.42 Issue 5).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Silence in Music  (The Guitar Mag / April 2011 Vol.42 Issue 4).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Hip Hop Guitar (The Guitar Mag / March 2011 Vol.42 Issue 3).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Developing Rhythms on Solo Guitar (The Guitar Mag / February 2011 Vol.42 Issue 2).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: www.theguitarmag.com

Percussive Voice  (The Guitar Mag / December 2010 Vol.41 Issue, pgs 138-141 ).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: http://www.theguitarmag.com

Playing Artificial Harmonics (The Guitar Mag / November 2010 Vol.41 Issue, pgs 138-139 ).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: http://www.theguitarmag.com/

Playing Artificial Harmonics (The Guitar Mag / October 2010 Vol.41 Issue, pgs 138-139 ).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand. Online version available at: http://www.theguitarmag.com/

Buenos Aires: Musical Gem of South America  (Muzik Etc./ Jan/Feb 2011 Edition- Vol 23 No. 1) (Available at music stores throughout Canada) Online version available at: www.muziketc.ca

The New Standard Gig: The Clubbing Guitarist  (Muzik Etc./ Nov/Dec 2010 Edition- Vol 22 No. 6) (Available at music stores throughout Canada) Online version available at: www.muziketc.ca

Tokyo (Muzik Etc./ Nov/Dec 2010 Edition - Vol 22 No. 5)( Avalaible at music stores throughout Canada) Online version avaialble at: www.muziketc.ca

Exploring the World of Hip-Hop Guitar (Muzik Etc./ Sept/Oct 2010 Edition- Vol 22 No. 5) (Available at music stores throughout Canada) Online version available at: www.muziketc.ca

Istanbul: The Crossroads of Music Cultures (Muzik Etc./ Sept/Oct 2010 Edition - Vol 22 No. 5)( Avalaible at music stores throughout Canada) Online version avaialble at: www.muziketc.ca

Evolving Rhythms for Guitar: Part 2 (Muzik Etc./ May/June 2010 - Vol 22 No. 3) (Available at music stores throughout Canada) Online version available at: www.muziketc.ca. 
 
Rio de Janeiro: Natural and Human Wonders in Abundance (Muzik Etc./ May/June 2010 Edition - Vol 22 No. 3)( Avalaible at music stores throughout Canada) Online version avaialble at: www.muziketc.ca.

Evolving Rhythms for Guitar (Muzik Etc./ Mar/Apr 2010 Edition Vol 22 No 2)(Available at music stores across Canada) Online version available at: www.muziketc.ca
 
Cape Town (Muzik Etc./Mar/Apr 2010 Edition Vol 22 No 2)(Available at music stores across Canada) Online version available at: www.muziketc.ca

The Power of One: Creating Memorable Hooks (Muzik Etc./Jan/Feb 2010 Edition Vol 22 No.1)(Available at music stores across Canada) Online version available at: http://www.muziketc.ca

Dubai (Muzik Etc./Jan/Feb 2010 Edition Vol 22 No.1)(Available at music stores across Canada) Online version available at: http://www.muziketc.ca

Learning How to Listen When Traveling (Muzik Etc./ Nov/Dec 2009 Edition/ Vol 21 No.6)(Available at music stores across Canada) Online version available at: http://www.muziketc.ca/welcome_en.aspx
  
A Musician's Paradise: The Bangkok Music Scene (Muzik Etc./ Nov/Dec 2009 Edition/ Vol 21 No.6)(Available at music stores across Canada) Online version available at: http://www.muziketc.ca/welcome_en.aspx

Exploring Percussion on the Guitar (Muzik Etc./Sept/Oct 2009 Edition/ Vol 21 No.5)(Available at music stores across Canada) Online version available soon. http://www.muziketc.ca/v21-n5_en.aspx

Harnessing the Power of Silence (Muzik Etc./ May/June 2009 Edition Vol 21 No.3)(Available at Music stores across Canada) Online version available soon. http://montrealdrumfest.4.umendemo.com/v21-n2_en.aspx

The Power of Imitation (Muzik Etc./ Mar/Apr 2009 Edition/ Vol 21 No.2) (available in Music stores across Canada) Online version available soon. http://montrealdrumfest.4.umendemo.com/profile.aspx.

Untapped Resources - Developing Personalized Sounds on the Acoustic Guitar (Muzik Etc./Jan/Feb 2009 Edition/ Vol 21 No.1) (available in Music stores across Canada) Online version available soon. http://montrealdrumfest.4.umendemo.com/profile.aspx.

The Cruise Ship Option: An Insider's Perspective on Working as a Musician on Cruise Ships (Muzik Etc./ Nov/Dec 2008 Edition/Vol 20 No.6)(available in Music stores across Canada) Click here to read now.  http://montrealdrumfest.4.umendemo.com/profile.aspx

Finding a Place for Artificial Harmonics (Muzik Etc./ Sept/Oct 2008 Edition/Vol 20 No.5) (available in Music stores across Canada) Click here to read now.  http://montrealdrumfest.4.umendemo.com/profile.aspx

A Love of the Ages: Instructional Piece (Thai Classic Guitar Magazine/ Nov/Dec 2010 Issue) Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Thailand.

History and Literary Criticism Articles

Creating a Paradox: Quobna Ottobah Cugoano and the Slave Trade's Violation of the Principles of Christianity, Reason, and Property Ownership The Journal of World History - Volume 21, Number 4, December 2010, pp. 629-656. University of Hawaii Press.

Literacy and the Humanizing Project in Olaudah Equiano's The Interesting Narrative and Ottobah Cugoano's Thoughts and Sentiments  (Esharp/ University of Glasgow)    http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/esharp/issues/10/

Inside 'Rotten English': Interpreting the Language of Ambiguity in Ken Saro-Wiwa's Sozaboy (Esharp/University of Glasgow)    http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/esharp/issues/11/

Travel Articles

Cruise Ship Workers Reach Out to Local Communities (Verge Magazine Summer 2009 May-Sept) (Available at Chapters, Indigo and many other major book stores nationwide in Canada and the US)Online version available soon. www.vergemagazine.ca.
 
Sing for your Supper - and your Plane Ticket too (Verge Magazine Summer 2009 May-Sept) (Available at Chapters, Indigo and many other major book stores nationwide in Canada and the US)Online version available soon.  www.vergemagazine.ca.

Fashion Articles

Thailand: Coming Alive at Night  (YYZ Living Magazine/ Winter 2011).  Available at all major bookstores, magazine vendors and music stores throughout Canada. Online version available at: www.yyzliving.com

Beyond Race Part 3: Unpackaging the Baggage of Identity  (Fashion Studio 7/ Issue 9 / Nov-Dec 2011).  Online version available at: www.fashionstudio7.com
 
Istanbul  (Fashion Studio 7/ Issue 8 / August/Sept 2011).  Online version available at: www.fashionstudio7.com

Revolutions Across History  (Fashion Studio 7/ Issue 7 / June/July 2011).  Online version available at: www.fashionstudio7.com

Cameroon: A Diverse African Experience (Fashion Studio 7/ Issue 6 / Feb/Mar 2011).  Online version available at: www.fashionstudio7.com

Beyond Race: A Musician's Notes - The Role of Education (Fashion Studio 7/ Issue 5 / Jan 2011).  Online version available at: www.fashionstudio7.com

One Night in Bangkok (Fashion Studio7 Magazine/ Issue 2 - Jan 2010/ Toronto's premier online fashion magazine). Check out the online version at:  http://www.fashionstudio7.com
  
Bangkok: The City of Angels, Fashion & NightLife (Fashion Studio7 Magazine/ Issue 2 - Jan 2010/ Toronto's premier online fashion magazine). Check out the online version at:  http://www.fashionstudio7.com
 
Tuku Music (Fashion Studio7 Magazine/ Issue 2 - Jan 2010/ Toronto's premier online fashion magazine). Featuring an interview with one of Africa's premier guitarists: Oliver Mtukudzi.  Check out the online version at:  http://www.fashionstudio7.com
  
Modern Slavery (Fashion Studio 7 Magazine/ Issue 3 - August 2010). Check out the online version at: http://www.fashionstudio7.com

Habib Koite (Fashion Studio 7 Magazine/ Issue 3 - August 2010). Featuring an interview with one of Africa's greatest guitarists. Check out the online version at: http://www.fashionstudio7.com

Beyond Race (Fashion Studio 7 Magazine/ Issue 4 - November  2010). Check out the online version at: http://www.fashionstudio7.com

Thai Reggae (Fashion Studio 7 Magazine/ Issue 4 - November 2010). Check out the online version at: http://www.fashionstudio7.com