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Jon Wirtz
Despite these successes, Wirtz is more driven than ever to share his creativity with listeners all over the world. In the fall of 2010, he took one more step in that direction by displaying his versatility on his first solo album entitled "Sea Level," which showcases original compositions as well as his own unique interpretations on a few choice covers. Since debuting the record to a sold out audience at the world renown Dazzle jazz club, the album has received rave reviews, including its recognition as one of the best Denver albums of 2010 by the Westword.
His latest effort, a full length record entitled "Tourist," is due for release in April of 2013. Featuring some of the region's best musicians—including John Macy on pedal steel, Gabriel Mervine on trumpet, and Brer Rabbit of the Flobots, to name a few—this concept record features arrangements as large as a 6 piece band, as small as solo piano, and everything in between.
Wirtz feels as though he is just now getting warmed up, and based on the path he has already begun carving for himself, the future is extremely promising.
Awards
"Country," an original composition off his 2013 record "Tourist," was chosen to be included on a national compilation for the "Sing 4 the Trees" competition, headed by Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell. In 2011 and 2012, his project "Jon Wirtz & The Debut" was nominated as a finalist in the national Telluride Jazz Competition.
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Take Five With Jon Wirtz
by AAJ Staff
Meet Jon Wirtz: Arriving on the Denver scene just a few years ago, Jon Wirtz has since performed for millions of people, both locally and nationally. Over the past eight years he has performed mainly as a sideman, having worked with Grammy Award-winning producer Malcolm Burn on multiple occasions, and shared the stage with artists including Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Robbie Krieger (The Doors), Melissa Etheridge, Matt Morris, Charlie Sexton and even Justin Timberlake. In addition to performing ...
read moreJazz This Week: Jon Wirtz and Nuskool, Darin Gray with Mars Williams and Tyler Damon, Dave Dickey Big Band, and More
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
Along with the return of something resembling more typical St. Louis weather for this time of year, this late-summer weekend offers an eclectic selection of live jazz and creative music in and around St. Louis. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, the Denver based pianist Jon Wirtz and his trio Nuskool will be in town to perform at Robbie's House of Jazz. Wirtz (pictured) is doing some Midwest dates in support of his recently released album Tourist, which covers territory ...
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Keyboardist Jon Wirtz Releases A Beyond-Category Jazz Album, "Tourist"
Source:
Michael Bloom Media Relations
Arriving on the Denver scene just a few years ago, keyboardist/composer Jon Wirtz has since performed for millions of people both locally and nationally. Over the past 10 years he has mainly been a sideman, having worked with Grammy-winning producers Malcolm Burn and John Macy, and shared the stage with artists including Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Justin Timberlake, Robbie Krieger (The Doors), Melissa Etheridge, pianist Joe Bonner, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Matt Morris and Charlie Sexton (Bob Dylan). ...
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“Indeed the skill set of the player will dictate how well your attention span can be maintained. What am I trying to say? Wirtz pulls it off flawlessly.” – Michael Mullins – Skope Mag
“ 'Sea Level' by Jon Wirtz is a brilliant collection of music.” – Cyrus Rhodes – Indie Music Digest
“He is no doubt a gifted player & composer . . . It takes talent to hold the attention span of a listener with just one instrument, Wirtz pulls this off with sheer poise.” – Markus Druery – Indieshark
Primary Instrument
Piano
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Photos
Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
