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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’. |