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Jonathan Mele

Jonathan Mele is an experienced freelance drummer/composer/engineer living just outside of NYC.

About Me

Jonathan Mele, is a New York City based drummer/percussionist.

After graduating in 1995 from UMass Amherst with Bachelors and Masters degrees in Jazz performance and composition/arranging, Jon took to the road with the musical “the Who's Tommy,” playing large theaters across the U.S. and Brazil.

After moving to New York City in 1996, Jon has performed with many well-known artists including: Steve Swallow, Carla Bley, Sheila Jordan, Ronan Guilfoyle, Hugh Buckley, Richie Buckley, and Adam Kolker. He played drums on the Van Morrison 2005 Universal/Exile records release “Magic Time.”

In addition, Jonathan has been writing for and performing with Nicholas Leichter Dance, while also working with other dance companies, including: NYU, Long Island University, Paul Taylor Dance, and Mark Morris.

He plays drums with U.S. based creative improvisers Equilateral, and an internationally- based organ trio, the Jazz Organism, which includes Australian guitarist Jeremy Sawkins and Irish organist Justin Carroll. Jon also performs with the Jeff Holmes Big Band and the New England Jazz Ensemble - groups that play music written by its members as well as music from the jazz ensemble/big band repertoire.

Jon has performed around the world on Stage, TV, Radio, and in recording studios, including: The Guinness Jazz Festival, Bray Jazz Festival, NYC's River to River festival, Summerstage, RTE (Ireland), Iowa City Jazz Festival, The Windmill Lane Studios, etc. He's also presented numerous clinics in the US and Europe.

Recently, The New England Jazz Ensemble released their CD entitled ”Live at the Pittsfield Jazz Festival” on Seabreeze records.

Jon owns “Tunnel Street Studio,” in which he writes, records drum and percussion tracks for singers, songwriters, producers, and other musicians, utilizing computers and the collaborative possibilities of the internet.

Jonathan is a Yamaha performing artist and endorses Sabian Cymbals, Evans drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks, and Grover Pro Percussion.

For More information, please visit: www.JonathanMele.com www.tunnelStreetStudio.com and www.ProfessionalDrumTrax.com