Hallifax & Jeffrey (Peter Hallifax and Julie Jeffrey) first came together in 2005 to play the music of Forqueray, the last of the great French 18th century viola da gamba players.  The success of their first concerts led them to expand their repertoire; first to the other French masters, Couperin, Dollé, and Marais; then to English music, focusing in particular on duos and chamber ensembles of Simpson, Locke, Jenkins, and their contemporaries. Most recently they have immersed themselves in the vast and fascinating repertoire of English music for lyra viols, by Hume, Coperario, Lawes and others.  Hallifax & Jeffrey have performed extensively on their home turf, the San Francisco Bay Area, and have toured throughout the Western states with many programs. They favor intimate performances in small venues such as homes, cafes and museums, but also play in larger concert settings, such as the San Francisco Early Music Society Series, the Berkeley Early Music Festival and the Sonora Early Music Festival.

Devoted to promoting engagement with Early Music at the grassroots level, Hallifax & Jeffrey have established their own homegrown concert series, Barefoot Chamber Concerts, which features The Bay Area’s best local musicians performing in a relaxed, friendly setting, and frequently draws sell-out audiences.

Hallifax & Jeffrey continue to work as a core duo, adding other musicians: lutenists, violinists, singers, keyboard players, and other viol players, as needed. Whether as a duo or with an extended group, their hallmark is total immersion in the music, and their performances have been praised for their engaging intimacy, exuberance and pure joy.