Jason Reolon

Jason Reolon, celebrated South African-born jazz pianist andcomposer, has a solid reputation as one of the country’sfinest talents. In all his musical undertakings, Reolon neverfails to move, inspire and challenge audiences with his freshand dynamic approach to his art. Complex, groovy, soulful,his music transcends the boundaries of jazz to reach newand exciting realms in the world of sound.

As the son of jazz songbird, Josie Gien and the South Africandrumming legend Bobby Gien, who performed with thefamous Ronnie Scott Trio for half a decade, Reolon’s worldhas always been centered around music. Reolon’s love ofand exposure to jazz throughout his life led him to completehis BMus Degree in Jazz Performance and Compositionstudies at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2001, thesame internationally esteemed institution at which he currentlyholds a permanent lecturing post.

In his final year of study, Reolon won the South African MusicRights Organisation (SAMRO) National OverseasScholarship Competition for Jazz Piano, an honour which tookhim to New York in 2004 to further his studies and career.This experience had a great impact on Reolon as heimmersed himself in all that the New York jazz scene had tooffer. Brad Mehldau, Sonny Rollins, Monty Alexander, DianaKrall, Richard Bona, Mulgrew Miller, Bob Mintzer and ChicCorea were just a few of the greats whose live performanceshad a lasting effect on Reolon and his playing style. Returningto South Africa, Reolon put his newfound inspiration intopractice, collaborating extensively with local and internationalartists alike over the next 7 years.

During his career, Reolon has formed and been part ofnumerous notable groups:

The Jason Reolon Trio, featuring Wesley Rustin on bass andHeinrich Goosen on drums, truly reflects the complexity anddiversity of Reolon’s musical influences. African flavours,montuno rhythms and lyrical melodies culminate in an eclecticfusion, forming a rich and cohesive music style which takesaudiences on a spell-binding journey. The trio released its firstalbum “Off the Record” in 2007 followed by a second, all-original album entitled “Outline” in 2011. The trio also recentlycollaborated with renowned South African jazz pianist AndrewFord and his trio in the live DVD recording of their show“Double Standards” for the 10th anniversary of the Jazz atthe Nassau concert series.

Similarly, Breakfast Included, which Reolon currentlymanages together with drummer Shaun Michau, is a highlysought after and popular South African Jazz band thatperforms extensively across the country. Co-founded byReolon in 1999, this celebrated ensemble has enjoyedextensive media coverage as well as its fair share of awardsover the years, including the Old Mutual Encounters trophyfor Best Jazz Band in the Western Cape in 2000 and 2001.The band has recorded two albums, namely “BreakfastIncluded” (2001) and “Nightwork Ahead” (2005).www.breakfastincluded.co.za

Reolon is also a permanent member of the highly acclaimedjazz outfit Restless Natives which recorded its debut tripledisc album Restless Natives Acoustic and Electronic. This isdue for release in October 2011. Music from this album hasbeen recently awarded the prestigious 2011 SAFTA (SouthAfrica Film & Television Industry) Award for ‘Best FeatureFilm Music Composition’, for the film Visa Vie.

In 2009, Reolon was commissioned as musical director toform the band The Mannenberg All Stars and arranged themusic which was subsequently performed by the group at theprestigious Loerie Advertising Awards that same year. 2008and 2009, Reolon worked as the pianist for South Africansinging legend Vicky Sampson and also as the keyboardist,percussionist and co-composer for Electro House sensationgroup, Iridium Project, and a groove lounge project MagicCarpet Ride alongside renowned DJ artists Craig De Souzaand Nick Matthews.

More recently, Reolon has been performing as keyboardistfor singer/songwriter Justin Bergh. In July 2010 they touredSouth Africa as the opening support act for Bryan Adams. Heis also a permanent member in a Cape Town jazz quartetSearch Party as well as the popular local quintet, The HotShots.

He has recorded and featured on various albums for bandsand projects such as Goldfish, Magic Carpet Ride, Jacsharp,Ginsberg & Herman, Claire Phillips, Shen Winberg andMerseystate on acoustic piano, fender rhodes, wurlitzer andhammond organ. Furthermore, Reolon has collaborated withbands and artists from various genres, including IanHenderson, Siya Makuzeni, Rus Nerwich & The CollectiveImagination, Merseystate, James Stewart and the AwesomeInternational Big Band.

This extensive collaborating with other artists has rightfullyearned Reolon a reputable place in the South African musicindustry and has likewise kept his playing style fresh and up-to-date. No matter the project, Reolon is dedicated to honinghis craft, constantly searching for new ways to expand andredefine what ‘jazz’ means to audiences and music-makersalike.

Awards

SAMRO (South Africa Music Rights Organisation) National Jazz Piano Competition - Best Jazz Pianist Award 2001

Gear

Sponsored by Kawai & Ian Burgess Simpson Pianos