Pianist and composer Jon Gold’s journey began in the vibrant music scene of the San Francisco Bay Area. Influenced by his brother Jay Gold, who was deeply involved in music as the General Manager of Mushroom Records, Jon developed a passion for blues and jazz. He honed his piano skills through performances with the Palo Alto School District Jazz band and even had the honor of sharing the stage with Dizzy Gillespie for a special broadcast on KQED-TV in San Francisco. Jon furthered his music education by studying and performing with acclaimed musicians like tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, earning the nickname “Little McCoy” from respected critic Herb Wong of the SF Chronicle. Jon has since released several albums featuring renowned artists, and his album, “Bossa of Possibility” (BluJazz Records), received high praise with 4.5 stars from Downbeat magazine.
Jon Gold’s latest album, “Guanabara Eyes,” released by Azurea Records, showcases his diverse and genre-defying compositional talents. The album features a range of formats, from solo piano pieces to full bands with complete string orchestras. With a discography that has been well-received by both critics and the public, Jon Gold has created a remarkable series of compositions that will appeal to serious jazz listeners as well as casual audiences. His compositions demonstrate a maturity that allows for a high degree of sophistication and cleverness, woven into a tapestry of charming melodies and compelling arrangements. Many of the pieces draw from Gold’s life-changing experiences during his years working and living in Brazil, while others are inspired by his love for music from around the globe.
Guanabara Eyes also grew from a desire to honor many of the people that have been important to him musically and personally, two tunes are dedicated to his co-producers Luiz Ribeiro ((Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil) and Mauricio Zottarelli (Eliane Elias, Ivan Lins, Paquito D’Rivera) while another is a tribute to Ivan Lins. As such the compositions are truly heartfelt and reflect Gold’s love for the interesting diasporas of the musical traditions he draws upon.
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