Jason Scheff Leaves Chicago
After 31 years of playing in the band, Jason Scheff has left the ranks of Chicago. Scheff has been on a leave of absence since May due to family health reasons, but the departure seems permanent now as the band announced a new bassist.
“Chicago would like to officially welcome bassist / vocalist Jeff Coffey to the band!” they wrote on Facebook. “Jeff has been touring with Chicago in recent months, filling in for long-time member Jason Scheff. We are so grateful to Jason for the enormous contribution he has made to Chicago over the last 30 plus years. Everyone wishes him and his family all the best as he continues his musical journey.”
Scheff, who is the son of bass great Jerry Scheff, replaced Peter Cetera in Chicago back in 1985. He debuted on a remake of the band’s 1970 hit “25 or 6 to 4” followed by “Will You Still Love Me?”. He recently served as a judge on the TV show American Supergroup on MTV Classic.
Jeff Coffey is a veteran in the rock scene and has performed with Hootie and the Blowfish, Edwin McCain, Sixpence None the Richer, and Vertical Horizon.
