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Jonathan Greenberg

The Jazz Life

About Me

After becoming professional at age 11 in New York City, I recorded with great players like Jimmy Knepper, Kenny Washington, Loren Schoenberg, Drew Francis, Jay Leonhart, Ronnie Bedford, Howard Hodge, Dud Bascombe Jr, George Young, Santo “Sonny” Russo, Jerry Kale and Vaughn DeForest.

After I moved to Virginia for the bicentennial in 1976, I recorded with Joel Futterman, Russell Scarborough, Steve Wilson, James Genus, Al Waters, Paul Renz, Terry Burrell and Howard Curtis plus I played at the Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans with Ellis Marsalis.

After receiving a Music Performance degree with a minor in Jazz Studies from VCU in 1985, I recorded with Roger Carroll & Chez Roue, Steve Young & The Band of Steve's, Alan Parker and Flyin' Brian Sulser, Emme St James & Her Jazz Gentlemen plus Steve Bassett and his Mystic Soul Bubbas. Was involved with the rehearsals and productions for a Grammy Award nominated Central Virginia Jazz Orchestra titled “James River Jazz” and subsequent albums. Now I am promoting and recording the Central VA Jazz Orchestra plus my own “Jazz Warriors” and my “Derby Day Dixieland Jazz Band.”

Produced 2 “Record Time” albums in 2024 to be released in 2025. The first features Royce Campbell on guitar plus Bob Bowen on bass and Aaron Binder on drums. The second features John Toomey on piano plus Jimmy Masters on bass and Jeff Schortgen on drums.

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My Jazz Story

It's easy for me to love jazz because it is the most fun way to express myself. After I was first exposed to jazz as a baby, I met too many jazz players to name here. The best show I ever attended was the last one because each of them adds more meaning to my life. My Dad played lots of Swing and BeBop records for me when I was a child plus the first jazz record I bought was RTF's "Romantic Warrior" at age 16. My advice to new listeners is to keep listening.

My House Concert Story

FEBRUARY 18 | 7 pm on YouTube JON GREENBERG’S JAZZ WARRIORS Jon Greenberg’s Jazz Warriors feature selections from the first 100 years of American jazz. We also pay tributes to the February birthday of Virginia jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson on 2/9 plus we honor pianist Sir Roland Hanna and bassist Rufus Reid for their birthdays on 2/10. Jon Greenberg will be on trumpet, Steve Kessler on piano, Jonathan Wheelock on bass, and Todd Woodson on drums. Free; no registration required. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdyzOmyt_bY