The journey that would eventually lead to the inception of Retro Transit Authority began with guitarist/vocalist Jeff Champlin at the University of California at Santa Barbara. While attending UCSB Jeff was exposed to variety of different artists and musicians while developing his own unique voice and songwriting style. Taking inspiration from musical icons such as Otis Redding, Bob Marley & Led Zeppelin, Jeff soon discovered his passion for blues and soul music. Further delving into the blues laid the groundwork for his guitar work and vocal development. Jeff would spend the next several years furiously recording on a Tascam four track searching for the sounds that would later become evident in his bands.

Fast forward to the summer of 2003 to The Brewery – an underground community of artists living in the old Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery building just outside downtown Los Angeles. It was here that Jeff called this loft a home for 3 years and created Blue Ribbon Studios with partners and engineers Kent Verderico and Nathan Smith. In the summer of 2003, Jeff formed Retro Transit Authority and recorded the band's first EP "Late Arrival" at Blue Ribbon Studios in August of that year.

Jeff remains heavily influenced by the genres of blues, rock and funk. Some of his favorite groups and musicians include Curtis Mayfield, Carlos Santana, Built to Spill and John Scofield. Jeff has been playing in bands since his teenage years and has had the opportunity to share the stage with such acts as diverse as The Vandals, RUN DMC, Poncho Sanchez & Animal Liberation Orchestra.

Currently, Jeff resides in Long Beach, CA with his wife Brandy and their young son Jack Allen.