Biography
Jon was a boy of 4 when he began picking out songs on the family organ, and quickly developed his own system of identifying notes and chords by ear. Growing up in West Virginia, he was exposed to a variety of country styles, but quickly discovered a love of music from the 60’s and 70’s. Jon continued to develop musically with no formal training, until joining the school band as a junior in high school. Quickly mastering the art of reading music, he selected music as his college major, with an emphasis on percussion. By this time of his life, he could already play several instruments.
Jon was immediately drawn to mallet percussion – marimba, vibraphone, xylophone – as these instruments most closely related to the piano he had grown up with. Fully trained in multiple styles and instruments, he began to search for a means to express himself in his favorite musical style…the music of the islands.
It was at Marshall University in 1995 that Jon was introduced to the steel drum for the first time. “My first time playing was with other musicians who’d never played a pan before either. We were locked in a room with a piece of music, told to select the pan we wanted to play, and learn it. Then we’d be let out.” That song, entitled Both of Them, is featured as the opening song of Jon’s set, in honor of that experience.
Jon was Director of Percussion Studies at his alma mater, Point Pleasant High School in West Virginia, for over 10 years. He led his students to several championship seasons and helped scores of young musicians master the craft he loved so much. Jon also worked as a freelance tutor.
His proudest moment during this time was the creation of 3 steel bands in the community, where he acted as co-director. These groups have gone on to win statewide recognition and continue to thrive to this day.
Before moving to Florida to pursue his dream that has become The Steel Experience, Jon was a member of the Gary Stewart Quintet for over a decade, where he served as steel drummer, vibraphonist, keyboardist, and backup vocalist.
His performance experience is vast. His collegiate experiences took him to Washington, D.C., Georgia, Florida, and The Bahamas. With the Gary Stewart Quintet, Jon has played throughout West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. The Quintet also served as musical entertainment for a national realtor’s event in Orlando, Florida. These many experiences have taught him the importance of professionalism in his craft and in the necessity of stage presence.
Jon has poured all of his love and skill into the creation of The Steel Experience. In its essence, it all began through the talented ears of a young boy who didn’t know how he was doing what he was doing; he only knew that he loved it. Jon hopes you will as well.