Jonah Jonathan has been playing four string instruments since he was ten years old. Jonathan points out, “Actually since age two, if you count strumming on the ukulele back where I’m from in Hawaii.” He was inspired to dedicate himself to music after his grandfather (who played French horn, trumpet, and piano) passed on suddenly just a few days after Jonah’s first orchestra concert. The bassist muses, “Had it not been for my grandfather, I would not be playing bass, let alone music in general. He was a huge inspiration and my first fan.” Jonathan played classical music in the orchestra from 5th grade but never took it too seriously until ninth grade when he found a good teacher. He recalls the first time that year when he became turned onto jazz: “I was on a field trip with my school orchestra to Boston Symphony Hall to see Wynton Marsalis rehearse All Rise, his Jazz/Classical composition. As soon as I saw the bass player Carlos Henriquez holding down the groove in the most bad ass way imaginable, I said to myself, hey, I bet I could do that!”
Jonah Jonathan enrolled at 14 into a college jazz class at Berkshire Community College taught by saxophonist Alan Livermore. Jonathan was the only bassist in the class, and he was soon learning jazz theory and playing jazz walking bass lines, “At first, I never really studied how to play lines, I just used my ear and began doing it. I think this is the true way to learn how to play. Just do it!” The ensemble played through ten Duke Ellington tunes throughout the first half of the semester. In the second half of the semester the ensemble went and played “gigs” in various locales such as nursing homes and churches for community service. By 16 Jonathan was participating in the Jazz Ensembles and Classes at Williams College. He became one of the most in demand bassists in Upstate NY, Albany, and Western Mass
Since finishing high school at 16 and attending college Jonah Jonathan has played in thousands of places, ranging from the street corner and small restaurants up to opening major international jazz festivals.
Jonah Jonathan now plays at many of the great New York City area jazz clubs and venues including performances at Smoke, The Kitano, Smalls, Fat Cat, Cleopatra’s Needle, Minton’s Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Trumpets Jazz Club, and Newark Symphony Hall.
In addition to playing all over the United States, Jonathan has performed in Istanbul, Turke., Jonah Jonathan made his international debut as a leader in Mexico City at Zinco Jazz Club. He has since performed internationally in Europe and Canada.
Jonah Jonathan has been privileged to study intensively with world renowned bassists Ron Carter, Rufus Reid, Avery Sharpe, Marcus Mclaurine, Steve LaSpina, John Benitez, Dave Santoro, Mario Pavone John Menegon, Rufus Reid and Avery Sharpe.
As an in demand bassist on the international jazz scene,
Jonathan has performed with greats such as Mulgrew Miller, Steve Wilson, Clark Terry, Garry Symulyn, Gerry Gibbs, Chuck Mcpherson, Gene Bertoncini, Joe Farnsworth, Harold Mabern, Vincent Herring, David Sanchez, Joe Finn, Cecil Bridge-water, Clark Terry, Marcus Roberts, Mulgrew Miller, Peter Madson, Gary Symulyn, Rich Derosa, David Demsey, Calvin Quince, Freddie Bryant, Joe Lovano, Don Braden and Andy Jaffe. Jonah Jonathan has performed in large ensembles as an alternate bassist for The George Gee Orchestra in New York City.
In addition to his performances as a Professional Jazz Bassist, Jonah Jonathan continues to perform as a classical bassist and is member of the Me 2 Orchestra under the great conducting of the World Famous Ronald Bernstein in Burlington, Vermont.
In January 2011 Jonah Jonathan finished his Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies and Performance from William Paterson University. He and his fiancee welcomed a newborn son in march of that year. Jonah Jonathan made it his top priority over the next 3 years to spend most of his time to be a stay at home dad for his newborn son, Lucas Jonathan. During shifting priorities Jonah Jonathan attended Rutgers University for his masters degree in Jazz History and Research and wrote his thesis based on ethnographic research in Harlem. He graduated with High Honors in May 2015.
In the world of academia, Jonah Jonathan has worked closely with Lewis Porter, Phil Schaap, Henry Martin, David Demsey, Tim Newman and Andy Jafee. Jonathan was awarded the prestigious Morroe-Berger Carter grant for research in 2013. Jonathan worked as a Lecturer at Rutgers University teaching undergraduate music theory.
Jonah Jonathan’s personal life hobbies and tasks include the joys of being a father and raising his 8 year old son as well as his personal interest in history, current events, science and telivison and movies..
Jonah Jonathan’s main passion and lifes work has been with his Organtization called The Jazz Musician’s Voice. It started out as a Jazz History Youtube Channel called The Jazz Musician’s Dilemma.. Currently he has interviewed over 100 musicians including Jazz Legends Ron Carter, Larry Ridley, Harold Mabern, Mulgrew Miller, Bill Lee, Steve Kuhn, Dave Holland, Chick Corea and Charles Lloyd just to name a few.
The Jazz Musician’s Voice currently has over 1.7 million views and more than 6000 subscribers.
Jonathan’s passion for jazz history has led him to become an internationally known journalist, educator. He is a frequent contributor to the International Jazz Festivals.