Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in Western Massachusetts. Springfield, MA. I live in Normal Heights, Lestat’s area. San Diego
What early musical influences did you have and how did they encourage you to become a musician?
I played in skate punk bands when I was 14. Then got into hippie bands, then jazz. My uncle was a choirmaster and organist at a cathedral in Hartford, Conn. I was exposed to a lot of very good and diverse music, and I got to see how it was done.
How long have you been playing?
I’ve been playing guitar almost 20 years give or take.
What influences your music now?
Anything can influence my music now. It can be a movie, a book, another artist, a conversation, a relationship. Anything.
How would you categorize you music? What instruments do you play?
I call is cowboy bebop and gypsy crawl. It jazzy, yet rootsy and raw. Like Billie Holiday, Mraz, Buble, Django, Beatles, Pixies, and Huddie Ledbetter all smooshed into one. I play guitar, keys, percussion and vox.
What inspires your song? How do you develop each new tune?
What inspires a song? hmmm. The song itself does in a way. Most of my songs are about the struggle we all face. Trying to figure ourselves and each other out. Trying to be good, and trying to keep hope alive.
Many are written because of the way they feel physically to play them. That is really important to me. I have to enjoy playing it, or it’s no good. It is a whole body experience. How do I develop? hmmm. That will be in my book. 😉
What are you favorite gigs to play? Any memorable ones?
Favorite gigs. Well, two kinds. First, gigs where people just love the music and let me know. Second, gigs that pay a lot. If they can be combined, I am in heaven.
What other forms of creative expression do you enjoy?
I write prose and poems. I talk to trees when I go hiking. I have a good time messing with photoshop. I like hiking. Love love love hiking. I go up to Central and NorCal just to hike. Mix in touring while I’m at it.
Check out Jon Ji tonight at Carlsbad’s First Art Show Created by YOU!!!
Snyder Art and Design
2695 State Street
Carlsbad, CA 92008
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