On the EP Inside Looking Out, Jon worked with fellow buskers The XCorvettes, who aside from providing additional instruments, backing vocals and production gave invaluable advice and guidance during the process of recording
Influences
Not in any particular order - Sting, Pearl Jam, Cat Stevens, Nirvana, Chili Peppers, Peter Gabriel, Nat King Cole, Sean Paul, Bob Marley, Claude Monet, Camille Pisarro, Georges Seurat, Paul Cezanne, Sheldon Mohammed, U2, Elton John, Disturbed, Rage Against The Machine, Bread, James Taylor, Sir David Attenborough, Simon and Garfunkel, Noam Chomsky, Karl Marx, Matchbox 20, Fuel, Bread, The Eagles, Jack Johnson, Live, Counting Crows, Sir Vidya Naipaul, Charles Darwin, Kings of Leon, Otis Redding, The Black Crowes... and more
Sounds Like
Jason Mraz, Citizen Cope, Gavin Degraw, Kings of Leon, John Mayer, The Script, One Republic, David Gray,
Jon Curtis comes from Trinidad and Tobago where he was the charismatic front-man for one of the two most popular pop/rock bands of all time in the Southern Caribbean. He was the main songwriter for the band and with them won local awards and performed to audiences of tens of thousands supporting many international acts. He still enjoys high radio rotation there with new material. He has been recognised by the Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago and VH1 as a prolific songwriter as part of a Trinidad-based song writing team.
Jon is currently based in London and since coming here 4 years ago has won many kudos for his songs and performances. He was a finalist in the UKSongwriting Contest, wrote the theme songs for two short movies, and performed relentlessly in venues across the city including Sound Café in Leicester Square, Alto London and Punk in Soho, and Purple Turtle in Camden Town. He also performed at the London exhibition for renowned Sheffield artist Pete Mckee. In 2007 he signed with now defunct independent record label Betrayal Records and released his second compilation – Strike Me Down.
In London, the UK and across Europe and the US though, Jon Curtis is famous as ‘the best busker in the London Underground’. There he exchanges energies with the great and diverse travelling public; making such an impact that Strike Me Down in its 1-year release sold hundreds of copies on the spot, right out of the guitar case.
The new collection – Inside Looking Out, reflects Jon's growth as a songwriter, a performer and as a person. Busking to a transient audience presents many opportunities for growth – it can be unforgiving as well as nurturing. Jon has embraced this, drawing all he can to make himself stand out and to draw people towards him. There is definite buzz growing around him as he gathers an army of dedicated fans worldwide. Aside from some of his collaborative work being marketed for licensing in the US, he is as we speak being discussed at the highest levels of the music industry in the UK.
"Amazing Voice!" - CHRIS BROWN, veteran producer, brownsound.net
"I'm really impressed! A great, full voice, deep lyrics and melody that underlines it perfectly" - ADRIANA PEREI, Kress-Perei Media
"Watch this guy. He has his finger on what's going on right now. A very polished singer/songwriter" - BACKSTAGE PASS, seatwaveblogs.com
"A star in the making" - JOHN EDWARDS, Broadcaster/Producer
hi Jon, how you doing? ready for November 28th! not too stressed! I think you have talent and that everything will go well .... have a beautiful weekend and soon
How's life? Want to wish you luck at the final on Nov 28. I also tried to plug you a little bit (in The Netherlands) by mentioning you in one of our Pilot Paco-tweets on Twitter: said you are a 'must see' in London!
Acustic Moments will be at the Theatre Royal Margate. This will be BMEs big one. Headlining this event will be Luke Jackon & Kayley Weller pluss many guests. This will be a great event its not to be missed. Tickets are just £7.50 & £8 OTD. CALL BOX OFFICE NOW ON 0845 130 1786 OR 01227 787787. BME website see www.billmurrayevents.com We will see you there
Hey you!! I know this is a bit of a late reply, I've been out of the country! Anyway, so I saw you busking and you were playing a cover of Black by Pearl Jam and I melted a little bit because you were singing my favourite part and I love your voice!! If I hadn't been in a hurry I would have stayed til the end of the song and probably more! But that's a little awkward with busking really lol. But yes, I just had to ramble to you about that a little bit because it actually gave me goosebumps when I heard it. I really like your songs, and good luck in the Open Mic Contesty thing!! -Nuri
Inmiddels zijn 225 boeken verkocht en de pers is positief over Muziekreis door het Berlijn van toen en nu - van jazzhel tot technohemel.
Duits.de: ‘Ik vind dat Jonker … die klus heel goed geklaard heeft.’ ‘Het boek is over de gehele linie - algemene geschiedenis en muziekgeschiedenis - toegankelijk geschreven en bevat talrijke anekdotes.’ ‘Alles wat langs moet komen komt dan ook langs: de jazzgekte van de jaren '20, de Schlagers van de jaren '30 en '40, Rock'n Roll, Punk, Techno - alles.’
Festivalinfo.nl: '... geeft het boek een zeer goed en uitgebreid beeld van de muziekcultuur in Berlijn.'
FONK: 'Al met al is het werkje een leuke alternatieve reisgids voor wie binnenkort naar de Duitse hoofdstad gaat. Kort, krachtig en vlot opgepend.'
Trajectum: '... is vooral voor Berlijn- én muziekfans een must voor in de trein richting Berlin Hauptbahnhof (waar je na het lezen van de eerste pagina's meteen op wilt stappen).’
Het boek is t/m 31 juli met korting online te bestellen voor EUR 14,- op www.musikinberlin.com/boek.html. Daarna geldt de normale winkelprijs van EUR 15,95. En ook in de winkels gaat het hard. Velvet Music moest al bij bestellen, nadat ze uitverkocht waren. Bestel jouw exemplaar nu!
TICKETS NOW ON SALE for the Everywere Man live at the Winter Gardens on the 29th of August. Buy on line now from the naw BME website at www.billmurrayevents.com
Feeder, Ash, Gary Numan, Hundred Reasons, Kids In Glass Houses, Cancer Bats, We Are The Ocean, Attack! Attack!, Sonic Boom Six, In Case Of Fire & many more hit the Kent coast for a one-day alternative music festival this Summer!
Hevy Music Festival • Folkestone Seafront (CT20 1PU) Saturday 1st August 2009 • Gates 1pm • Tickets £48 www.hevy.co.uk
Passed you doing your thing today for the 2nd time. I didnt think you ever saw a busker more than once, but i reckon you're "probably the best busker in London" Brenda x
