Jon Mayer

Jon Mayer (2013)

Jon Mayer (born September 7, 1938 in New York City ) is an American jazz musician ( piano and composition).

Live and act

Mayer, who grew up in a musical environment, heard Charlie Parker as a teenager on a live recording of Jazz at the Philharmonic ; as a result, the alto saxophone was his instrument of choice until he changed his mind in high school. After taking classical classes at the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan (graduating in 1956), he briefly studied at the Manhattan School of Music .

He first appeared with Pete LaRoca and Ray Draper , then played in the big band of Kenny Dorham and in the quartet of Tony Scott (instead of Bill Evans ). In 1957 he recorded with Jackie McLean ( Strange Blues ), then with John Coltrane ( I Talk to the Trees ). In the 1960s, Mayer appeared in Paris with Chet Baker ; then he worked with the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra , Kai Winding , Sarah Vaughan and The Manhattan Transfer and as a studio musician . His songs have been interpreted by Les McCann , Nancy Wilson , Vicki Carr or Gladys Knight . In the 1980s Mayer moved to Los Angeles, where he played with Freddie Hubbard , McCann and his own bands. It wasn't until 1995 that he got the opportunity to record his debut album.

Discographic notes

• Round Up the Usual Suspects (Pullen 1995, with Ron Carter , Billy Higgins )
• Do It Like This (1998, with Ernie Watts )
• Rip Van Winkle (1999, with Bob Maize , Harold Mason)
• Full Circle (2002´, with Rufus Reid , Victor Lewis )
• The Classics (Reservoir Records, 2004, with Rufus Reid, Willie Jones III )
• Strictly Confidential (2005, with Chuck Israels , Arnie Wise)
• My Romance (2006, with Rufus Reid, Dick Berk )
• So Many Stars (2007, with Rufus Reid, Roy McCurdy )
• Nightscape (2009, with Rufus Reid, Roy McCurdy)
• The Art of the Ballad (2014, solo)

Web links

• http://www.jonmayer.com/
• Jon Mayer at Allmusic (English)
• Jon Mayer at All About Jazz