Jeff Mills started playing music at the age of 6. Though piano was his first instrument he realized in his early teens that he was fascinated with the drums. Since then it has been a long exploration of method and technique. He has studied privately with some of the finest percussion instructors in the world including Alan Dawson, Gary Chaffee, Henrique De Almeida, Dr. John Wooton, Casey Scheuerell, Johnny Vidacovich, and Ricky Sebastian.
After graduating the University of Southern Mississippi he began touring with southeast sensation King Konga. He performed with them for four years, upon leaving the group he began freelancing in the south Mississippi area and also teaching adjunct-faculty at the University of Southern Mississippi.
In March 2000 he moved to New Orleans to take on a three year house gig at The Famous Door on Bourbon Street. During this time he started to work with jazz guitarist Chris Cortez and has recorded three critically acclaimed albums under the Blue Bamboo Music label which are Groovopolis, Hold it Right There, and Mums the Word. He has also recorded with Christian song writer Matt Christenot, Jake and Hannah Sumner, Kevin Clark and the Jazz Revelation, and is on a Katrina Relief CD "From the Lone Star to the Gulf Coast". While freelancing in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, he has performed or toured with Andy Narell, Big Daddy Weave, Chris Thomas King, Harmonica Red, Casa Samba, Amy Trail, The Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra, Chris Cortez, John Wooton and Kasio, Full FX, Jimmy Bellew and Free Spirit, the Dock Rockers, and Fabian. He has performed at many jazz festivals including New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest, French Quarter Festival, Spring Jam in Huntsville AL, Pensacola Jazz Fest and Bay Springs, MS Jazz Fest. Also in New Orleans he served as worship leader at Gretna United Methodist church.
As well as being a performer Jeff has also become known as an instructor and clinician. In 2004-05 he returned to USM as adjunct-faculty drum set instructor. He has been a marching instructor and staff writer at D’Iberville High since 2003. Also, he teaches and is a feature clinician at the annual USM Summer Marching Camp, and Drum set Workshop. In Jan 2004 Jeff became a member of the Vic Firth education team.
After hurricane Katrina Jeff returned to the Hattiesburg area where he is adjunct faculty percussion/marching instructor for Hattiesburg High School and Burger Middle School. He is also on staff at First Baptist Hattiesburg as an instrumentalist and band coordinator. He continues to maintain an active performing schedule. Currently he can be seen playing with Donnie Sundal, Matt Christenot and John Wooton. Jeff endorses Vic Firth Sticks, as well as Stagg Cymbals and cases.
In 2006, Jeff has upcoming recording projects with Henrique De Almeida, John Wooton and Kaiso, Matt Christenot, Harmonica Red, and Chris Cortez.