Jon, who’s been writing, arranging, performing and producing music since the 1970’s, received a career high achievement when he was named Best Jazz Guitarist at the 2000 Los Angeles Music Awards.  His love affair with the guitar began in the sixth grade, and resulted in his taking classical guitar lessons for 15 years developing his signature finger-style technique.  But musical creativity might actually be in his genes.

            “My dad, Charles, was a songwriter for Chappel Music, back in the 40’s, when it was headquartered in New York’s infamous Brill Building,” Jon commented.  “He wrote songs for the original Broadway musical “Harlem Cavalcade” which featured a young Lena Horne and Harry Belafonte.  My strong sense of melody is rooted in the standards, show tunes and classical music always playing in my home while growing up.”

            Jon studied music and played in the early 70’s while attending Cal Poly University, Pomona, adding marimba and vibraphone to his instrument repertoire, but  it wasn’t until the ‘80’s that he played steadily with his group, Abrakadabra, in the South Bay area.  They eventually became the house band at The Lighthouse, and played the jazz club circuit in Los Angeles.  When the group played at the venerable Concerts by the Sea in 1982, it was virtually like playing Carnegie Hall.

            “Percussionist John Pickell, bassist John Ugarte and I emerged from Abrakadabra in the ‘90’s to form Gold Coast and take our talents to the next level – recording,” Jon explained.  “We decided it was time to share the music with more listeners than could come to our shows, and with current trends in the music industry, we apparently hit a great time to access the airwaves.”