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(for a full bio, click here)
Are Jonathan's parents musicians?
His mom is a classical guitarist and Suzuki Guitar teacher. His dad plays recorder, but not professionally.
How did his parents know he wanted to play violin?
At 18 months old, he saw a picture of a violin and kept saying "violin" every time he saw one. Soon after that, he was able to pick out the sound of a violin on a recording. The
final indication was when he got to hold a violin on his shoulder and the smile on his face. He was hooked.
Does he like to practice?
Does anybody? But he loves having a finished piece and he loves playing and performing. As he says it, "If you want to get on
stage, you need to practice."
How much does he practice?
Currently he practices about two and a half hours a day. One and a half hours after school on technique and classical and one hour at night on orchestra, jazz and
fiddle.
How does Jonathan learn a piece of music?
Since he is Suzuki trained, he learns easily by ear. He does however read music. He can generally learn the basic tune after hearing it once and the complete harmony and melody after two
or three times.
How did Jonathan get started playing Jazz?
His parents are not quite sure. He learned to play the notes to Bei Mir Bist du Shein, and then he started improvising on the rhythm without any encouragement. Next he
learned Ain't Misbehavin and he just took off. The more he listens to jazz, the better his improvisation becomes.
Does he really improvise?
Yes! He will sometimes learn the improv of other players (Stephane Grappelli, Stuff Smith, Andy Stein, etc.) but often varies those improvs to
make something new. Some of his improvs are based upon ideas that he has heard either live or recorded. But in performance, nobody knows what he will do next.
Where does Jonathan study music?
Jonathan's first teacher was Monica Gerard at the Hudson River School of Music. Now Jonathan studies Suzuki violin at the School for Strings in Manhattan with Allen Lieb. His jazz studies
were with Grammy Award winner Andy Stein, frequent member of Prairie Home Companion's Shoe Band and former member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. He takes master classes when
he can with Barry Harris and studies piano and arranging with Ron Drotos. He learns a great deal from gigs with bands and leaders such as Ed
Polcer and Wynton Marsalis.
Jonathan has attended Mark O'Connor's fiddle camp where he met Mark, Johnny Frigo, Bruce Molsky, Buddy Spicher, Darol Anger, John Blake, Judy Hyman,
Sara Caswell, Chris Howes and a bunch of other great teachers. Very few jazz camps permit young students and the opportunity to learn from the best at the camp that Mark created has had a
major impact on Jonathan. Jonathan has also attended Rocky Mountain Fiddle camp where he worked with Richard Greene and several others and Swannanoa in North Carolina.
Does Jonathan play other styles of violin music?
Yes, especially classical, rock and Appalachian or Old Time. At Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Camp, Jonathan learned a whole lot about various fiddle styles and rock. Jonathan has also
played with Phoebe Legere, Giant Cicada, Jody Prusan and Michael Butler who perform family concerts in the New York City area and has recorded rock, children's and folk tunes for their CD's. Jonathan has also been
playing with a jazz string quartet of students from the New York City area.
Does Jonathan play other instruments?
Yes. Jonathan plays piano and has played some viola at School for Strings.
Where has Jonathan played and who has he played with?
Jonathan play regularly with the several bands in NYC and Barbone Street in Philadelphia and as a trio with Ed Polcer and Mark Shane. In the past he has played with Wynton Marsalis and the
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Les Paul, Bucky Pizzarelli, Svend Asmussen, Titan Hot 7, Igor's Jazz Cowboys, Wally's Warehouse Waifs, Pearl Django, Galvanized Jazz Band, The Bearcats,
Jeff Hughes and the Hot Steamed All Stars, Anti Sarpilla, Paris Washboard, High Sierra, Blue Street, Eddie Davis and Vince Giordano and many others. He has performed at the New Orleans Jazz
& Heritage Festival, the Boheme Ragtime and Jazz Festival in Hungary, the Hot Steamed Jazz festival, the Great Connecticut Jazz Festival and Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic as well as
at Iridium, the Blue Notes, Birdland, Rose Hall, SUNY Purchase and the Harvard Club. For more information, please look at his promotional materials.
Is Jonathan really a prodigy?
Maybe. While Jonathan certainly displays adult level skills at improvisation (one of the many definitions of a prodigy), he is otherwise a typical kid. He loves computer video games and
hates to practice. While many prodigies have a very narrow focus and are very intense, Jonathan is well rounded and is engaged with several styles of music as well as art and computer
programming. He does express a desire to become a musician but his parents are not pushing him to become one. Rather they are attempting to let him follow his interests and to encourage him
to develop a good work ethic.
Does Jonathan have a CD?
His first CD entitled The Sheik of Araby features eleven standards from the jazz age. Jonathan’s newest CD, Puttin’ On The
Ritz, features many of the performers he has been working with including Bucky Pizzarelli, Joel Forbes, Joe Ascione, Nicki Parrott, Mark Shane and Ed Polcer. Both CD's are available at
any performance or via the web at www.cdbaby.com and iTunes. He has also appeared on CD projects from Jody Prusan and Michael Butler.
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