Jeffrey's first studio work as a leader was in 1968, when he recorded the album Electrifying Sounds for Savoy Records. He toured with the Count Basie Orchestra before beginning his associations with Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus.[5] He first joined Monk's quartet for a multi-day run at the Frog & Nightgown club in Raleigh, North Carolina, in May 1970.[7]
Jeffrey performed as a regular member of Monk's band throughout the remainder of Monk's public career,[5] appearing with Monk throughout the US and Japan at the Village Vanguard, Lincoln Center’s Philharmonic Hall, the Jazz Workshop, Shelly's Manne-Hole, and The Cellar Door, among other venues. He was hired by George Wein to organize a 15-piece band for a tribute concert to Monk at Carnegie Hall in 1974; a concert at which Monk made a surprise appearance, replacing Barry Harris on the piano just as the concert was starting.[8]
In the 1970s, Jeffrey served on the music faculties at the University of Hartford, Rutgers University,[5]Jersey City State College along with leading his own Octet consisting of Paul (Tenor Saxophone), Alex Foster (Alto Saxophone), Sam Burtis (Trombone), Artie Simmons (Trombone), Oliver Beaner (Trumpet), Jim Roberts (Piano), Mattifias Pierson (Bass) and Chuck Zeuren (Drums).
In 1972, Jeffrey recorded “Watershed” on Mainstream Records. The band members were Paul Jeffrey on tenor sax, Thelonious Monk Jr. on drums, Richard Davis on acoustic base, and Jack Wilkins on electric guitar. It was released in 1973.
In 1983, Jeffrey joined Duke University as Artist in Residence and Director of Jazz Studies, positions he held until he retired and became Professor Emeritus in 2003.
[9]
In 2009, Jeffrey recorded a tribute to Thelonious Monk with the French label Imago records distributed by Orkhestra International, with Alessandro Collina on piano, Sebastien Adnot on bass and Laurent Sarrien on drums.
He died in North Carolina after a lengthy illness, aged 81.[10]
1981: Music Of The Masters Past And Present (Paul Jeffrey) | R.J.E./P.J. Records with Thomas Chapin (f, ss, as), Joshua Harris (f, ts), Andrew Beals (ss, as), Peter Belasco, Adam Brenner (as), Peter Furlan, Clay Jackson, Clifford Jordan, Joseph Little, Jerry Weldon (ts), Philip Nostrand, David Schumacher, Ben Thomason (bar), Robert Panell (tb), Lance Smith (g), Harry Pickens (p, ep), Alan Watson (p), Jerry D'Anna, Paul D'Loia (b), Hank Skalkin (eb), Carl Adkins, Philip Cuneff (d), Paul Jeffrey (con)[12]
1994: Tribute To Trane (Paul Jeffrey) | Duke University Jazz CD with Todd Bashore (as), Jeb Patton (p), John Simonetti (b), Michael Scott (d)
1997: Together In Monaco (Paul Jeffrey & Curtis Fuller) | Amosaya with Charles Vaudano (t), Curtis Fuller (tb), Jeb Patton (p), Marc Abrams (b), Washington Duke (d), Marcelo Tonolo (p), Calvin Jones (b), Michael Scott (d)
2009: We See (Paul Jeffrey Quartet) | Imago records with Alessandro Collina (p), Seb Adnot (b), Laurent Sarrien (d)[13]