Jon started playing drums at the age of 11 after deciding that violin and
saxophone were not as cool as playing drums. He played in the school
bands all the way through High School.
Jon attended the Hartt School of Music Conservatory as a classical
percussion major and switched degrees to Jazz Studies(drumset) after
realizing that his first love was drumset and didn't feel a life
playing/teaching classical percussion was for him. Jon practiced multiple
styles of music in college, knowing that you need to be very well rounded in music to get called on as a freelance musician.
After college, Jon started focusing in on his playing/teaching
career. He has been teaching private lessons for 16+ years and has taught close to 100 private students. He began playing guitar and bass after college and
has been also teaching beginner bass and guitar lessons as well. Jon has
previously studied with Shawn Pelton (SNL band, Sheryl Crow, Shawn
Colvin, Kelly Clarkson), Michael Carvin (Jazz great), Ben Toth (Hartt
School of Music), Tony Leone (NYC freelance), Nat Reeves (Kenny
Garrett, Brandford Marsalis, Jackie Maclean).
Jon has played/recorded with such bands as Maxxtone, Orange
Crush, S.M.A.,The Scofflaws, Longshot, Traci Mnich, Jeffery Penn, Jim
Skarat, Exodus Reggae Band, Stephanie Reynolds Band, Souled Out,
Wolfgang, Corey and the Knightsman, Rock 201 and recorded on numerous
Western Ma demos doing everything from Country to Pop to Jazz.
Jon has supported such bands as Switchfoot, Motley Crue, Howie
Day, Mandy Moore, Paula Cole, Eve 6, Jeffery Gaines, Duncan Sheik,
Better Than Ezra, The Smithereens, Bim Skala Bim, The Toasters, Lets Go
Bowling, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Stereophonics, StrangeFolk, and countless
other regional touring bands.
Jon has recently switched gears from performing to teaching so he can spend more time at home with his family. This has helped Jon to focus on developing a game plan for each individual student to help them become the best player they can be.
Jon has also been busy working on his own music in his home studio as well as collaborating on numerous other studio and live projects with other area musicians.
