Jason Kendall is pleased to regularly collaborate with a variety of local, regional, and national musicians from all over southwestern PA! Please contact Jason Kendall Productions directly for booking info.
Influences
Jason Kendall’s story gives credence to the “everything happens for a reason” philosophy. A ten year old boy in the backyard, helping his dad on a household project…A circular saw slips, severing three fingers of the boy’s right hand, and a serious injury that could have been devastating becomes a transforming moment in his life.
Watching those same fingers fly on piano, guitar and sax, no one would ever guess that Kendall’s love affair with music was born of that dramatic and painful accident. Years of arduous lessons became the therapeutic vehicle for rehabilitating his reattached fingers, starting with the saxophone, and moving on to master both piano and guitar.
And now the accomplished student, has, in fact, become the teacher. After earning both his Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Music Education from West Virginia University, Kendall now teaches music history for several colleges and universities.
Kendall didn’t confine his love of music solely to the classroom. In 1998, he founded “Déjà vu,” a popular band that performed on WDVE’s “Coffee House” and 105.9’s the ”X –files,” were finalists in the 2000 Graffiti Rock Challenge, and opened for national acts like Cheap Trick, 38 Special, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Steppenwolf and the Clarks.
In 2000, he formed his own company, Jason Kendall Productions, providing a comprehensive array of music options for weddings, corporate events and private parties. He has performed at many high profile venues including the Hard Rock Café, Club Café, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Lakeview Resort, and the Summit Inn.
Citing influences as diverse as the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Chet Baker and Billie Holiday, Kendall is entirely comfortable performing all kinds of music, including classical composers such as Bach, Mozart and Philip Glass. He wrote his first song at age seventeen and estimates he has written about 200 songs so far. Despite that impressive body of work, throughout the fifteen years he has been performing professionally, he has always played other people’s music. He has an amazing set list of covers from four decades, and while he still performs with a cover band called “The Bitter End,” last year he decided it was time to let his own songs be heard.
“Cooper Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” is his debut release.
~ First paying gig – age 14, a high school prom. ~ Met Bob Dylan at Station Square in 1991. ~ Spends much of his summer playing jazz at the beach resorts of Hilton Head, South Carolina. ~ Had his music featured during May 2008 on WYEP-FM. ~ Performed on the Main Stage of the 2008 Three Rivers Arts Festival.
Below are videos from my CD release at Club Cafe, courtesy of Todd Adleff of Gruv, Inc. and featuring the amazing Bob Banerjee!
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Jason Kendall is a professional saxophonist, pianist, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. He currently lives and works near Pittsburgh, PA.
What they're saying about "Cooper Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post Gazette;
“A musician with a delicate touch on guitar, keyboards and saxophone, Kendall is reminiscent of Pittsburgher Bill Deasy, with his soft voice and poetic, narrative songs."
Harry Funk, Washington Observer-Reporter;
“A tribute to small-town America, the feistiness of the people in Jason’s neck of the woods in the face of superhighways and strip malls. (The album features) the adept picking of his acoustic guitar, with some complementary instrumentation that he adds himself...The songs might be thematically linked, but Jason mixes them up stylistically enough to keep everything fresh as the album progresses. "Saturday We Lock the Door," another finger-picked gem, presents several brief, well-worded insights to the deep feelings shared between a couple. No, Cooper doesn't live here anymore. We love ya Alice, but Jason Kendall seems to be taking a more meaningful musical direction.”
Bill Deasy, Singer-Songwriter;
"In this day and age where substance is the exception, Jason Kendall's songs are a breath of fresh air. He's the real deal."
Aaron Jentzen, Pittsburgh City Paper;
“Singer-songwriter Jason Kendall (nope, not the former Pirate) is releasing his rootsy acoustic CD, ‘Cooper Doesn't Live Here Anymore.’ Kendall aspires to the Southwestern Pennsylvania troubadour model that blooms perennially in these parts…”
Scott Simons, Singer-Songwriter;
“I think Jason Kendall’s ‘Cooper Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ is great! It’s a terrific mix of vibe and craft and the stripped-down production really emphasizes his writing...”
Mark Dignam has been bumping into Paul Luc and Ben Shannon a lot, at Treelady Studios, where they are all working, on their upcoming albums. They admire each others work so much, they decided to put together what promises to be, a mini singer/songwriter festival.. Watch for special guests and a very memorable night at The Rex Theater, 1602 East Carson Street. Pittsburgh, PA 15203. 8pm. $10.
hey i have a record out called i hid because i was ashamed. it's about sad stuff and i hope you like it because i really do. if you find any time to listen to it, please let me know what you think. thank you from michael
Hey, How are you doing today?
Im sending comments to everyone to let them know about my Tiesto remix.
I can't put it on my Myspace because of the contest rules, but you can check it out on Beatport.
If you like it, please sign in and vote for me by clicking SPIN.
Thank you so much and hope to talk to you soon!
Electronically yours,
Joe http://www.beatportal.com/remix/detail/electric-types-club-remix/
Music is still sounding as wonderful as it always has. I'm glad to see that you are still touring in Savannah and Hilton Head!! I love Savannah...I could take up residence there. Have fun!
I am happy about that. thanks.. 
I will be rooting for you!
Thanks for the add!
