Jonah S. Smith

 

Jonah Smith formed his band in Brooklyn, NY in October 2000. The quintet
bearing the founder’s name was formed with two longtime friends, bassist Ben
Rubin and sax player Bob Reynolds. These three musicians played together
regularly in previous years with several different outfits. In November,
Jonah was introduced to David Soler, a renowned guitarist and pedal steel
player from Barcelona, at his local bar.  The two talked about their musical
ideas and the next day after a jam session, David joined the group.  The
final piece of the puzzle, Marko Djordjevic, was brought to Jonah’s
attention by Bob Reynolds who had recently met the drummer at a master class
that Marko was conducting at Berklee School of Music.  They gelled
immediately and quickly debuted with a performance at New York’s Izzy Bar on
a double-bill with legendary guitarist, Dave Fiuczynski.  Soon the band was
playing two residencies, one in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn (at Black
Betty, the same bar where Jonah and David met).  After several months of
performing and honing their sound, Jonah decided to take the band into the
studio to cut their debut LP on his independent record label, BablylonGone
Records. They have quickly gained international exposure via the Internet as
well as with a rigorous tour schedule.  In September, Jonah’s track “Seems
Like Yesterday” will be included on a compilation CD to benefit the Great
Stupa, a Buddhist monument in Colorado.  The CD also includes Sting, Joni
Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Willie Nelson and many more and will be distributed
internationally.

Jonah Smith has captured audiences with his unique voice and a musical
infusion of soul, funk, R&B, and country.  From the House of Blues in Boston
to the Mercury Lounge in New York City and points between, the group has
gained exposure playing some of the most prestigious club venues in the
Northeast and in so doing has cultivated a loyal fanbase.  Their distinct
sound comes from the craftsmanship that Jonah puts into his work as well as
the culminated experience and talent of his band. Saxophonist, Bob Reynolds,
gained experience through extensive European and Japanese touring as well as
playing with jazz luminaries Brian Blade, Aaron Goldberg and George Garzone.
  Marko Djordjevic, cut his teeth playing with the likes of Matt Garrison
and Wayne Krantz as well as countless studio sessions that landed his
drumming on Top 40 radio.  Ben Rubin, came up playing alongside Jonah in
several groups in the North East including Jonah’s original project Deluxe.
Lastly, David Soler, has toured relentlessly with many national acts in
Spain as well as leading a band on the popular television talk show, “El
Pendul”.

On their recent tour of Spain, Barcelona’s major newspaper, La Vanguardia,
referred to Jonah Smith as “…one of the most important voices in modern soul
music”, and went on to say the band was “insultingly young” considering
their immense talents.  After a jam-packed, three-night stand at Barcelona’s
famous club, Jamboree, the band delivered critically acclaimed performances
at the Granollers Jazz Festival as well as several other venues in Spain.  
Their sold out show at Mercury Lounge prompted Time Out New York to call
Jonah a “hipper Joe Jackson”.

With the release of their debut record, Industry Rule, and with their
success on the MP3.com charts, Jonah Smith will continue to tour the U.S. in
the fall and will return to Europe shortly thereafter.   Summed up best by
Christian Ver Halen, International Booking Director for the world famous
Blue Note Jazz Club, “It’s not a question of ‘If’ the band will explode,
it’s a question of ‘When’.