photo by: Adrianna Palmer
“Space
is the place.”
Biography
Jon Thompson is a multi-instrumentalist whose talents as a saxophonist, guitarist and woodwind player have been a contribution to the Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey area for over twenty years. He currently collaborates with Channel Collective, The Machine, Chris Harford, Matt Davis, and others.
Jon first moved to Philadelphia in the mid 1990s to attend the University of the Arts and graduated with a BA in jazz performance from Temple University. After moving to New York in 2000 and working as a sideman for the klezmer jazz group, Jon Madof’s Rashanim and other jazz groups, Jon moved to Lambertville, New Jersey and began writing songs that drew on country and folk influences. He formed the alt-country band Lazlo, which released two full length albums, “Lazlo” and “Old Steel Company.” Lazlo was regularly featured on 88.5 WXPN radio and opened for national acts such as Lyle Lovett. During this time, Jon was also a member of guitarist Tim Conley’s Ocean Exposition and the comedy rock band Sinking Ship.
Jon returned to Philadelphia in 2006 and began working as a multi-instrumentalist with Matt Davis’ Aerial Photograph, Oud Blues, the Jason Fraticelli Band, the Jim Holton Quartet, the original jazz group Ellipsis, the Brazilian band Philly Bloco and Hezekiah Jones.
In the jazz/r&b world, Jon has shared the stage with Phil Roy, Sharon Little, John Swana, Mike Boone, Jeannie Brooks, Terell Stafford, Jim Holton, Larry McKenna, Richie Cole, Joanna Pascale, Venissa Santi, Elliot Levin, Grover Washington and many more. Jon has recorded on over 30 full-length albums and done studio work for TV shows, commercials and movies. He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Erie Symphony and the Buffalo Symphony.
Jon currently lives outside of Ocean City, New Jersey. In addition to performing, Jon teaches at the Lawrenceville School, the Chapin School and the Pennington School.
