Jon Wirtz

Bio:

Arriving on the CO scene in May of 2003, I have played piano/keys for about 22 years now. I have played all kinds of music, with the past 11 years focusing primarily on jazz, improvisational and experimental music (although certainly not exclusively). In that time I have composed around 100+ songs, and continue to write. In 2003 I formed a electronic jazz trio called The Sputter, which was nominated for 2006 Best Jazz Band of the year by the Westword, as well as having our debut album selected as one of the best local albums for 2006 by the same publication. I've been fortunate to play with a lot of great musicians, and have even gotten to share the stage with the likes of Ekoostik Hookah, Liquid Soul, Drums and Tuba, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Particle, Robbie Krieger, Shawn Colvin, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Gin Blossoms, Melissa Etheridge, and Charlie Sexton, to name a few. Over the past few years, I've had the honor of working with some real masters of their craft, including Grammy Award winning producer Malcolm Burn, Matt Morris, and Austin based guitarist Charlie Sexton. Currently I am studying under internationally recognized composer/teacher/pianist (and grammy nominated) Art Lande, which is an honor itself. The past few years have been filled with great opportunities--playing with Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Particle, covering a DJ Shadow album with a live band, touring to Mexico and in the U.S. with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, recording with Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck and Malcolm Burn, and having my musical world reshaped by some great teachers. 2010 is off to a great start as well, having recently played The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS Early Morning Show "2nd Cup Cafe," and Ellen (the Ellen DeGeneres Show), and Lopez Tonight. Can't wait to see what the future holds . . .

Member Since:

September 28, 2007

Members:

Current/recent projects inlcude: Matt Morris, Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck, LSW, solo piano, studio work, and teaching.
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Myspace Backgrounds

Influences:

Art Lande, Bad Plus, Keith Jarrett, Kneebody, Terence Blanchard, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Phish, Page McConnell, Bruce Hornsby, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Dave Cieri, Brad Mehldau, Justin Adams, Miles Davis, Rage Against the Machine, Tom Waits, Medeski Martin and Wood, John Medeski, John Scofield, Bob Marley, Weezer, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Manzarek, Herbie Hancock, Sigur Ros, Yo Yo Ma, Allman Brothers, Steely Dan, Jukebox Soul, Jaywalking, The Sputter, Bumba's Creation, Jimmy Smith, Disco Biscuits, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Robert Glasper, Brian Haas, James Brown, anyone willing to take risks for their art, those who are always truly themselves, my family, friends, Life, a Higher Power, and the list is continually growing . . .

Sounds Like:

Playing with Matt Morris on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Playing with Matt Morris on CBS Early Morning Show "2nd Cup Cafe."