Jonathan Joseph
diverse musician
Born on October 25. 1966, Jonathan Joseph began playing drums in church services at the age of six. He obtained a solid music background through the choir director, his mother. Having such strong progressive roots in gospel during his high school years, Jonathan found it very easy to make the transition from gospel to jazz.
After attending the University of Miami School of Music. Jonathan formed and directed a modem jazz band which was called Decision He received his first break in the business when the band was engaged as an opening act for Dizzy Gillespie at Dizzy’s seventieth birthday celebration. Jonathan was featured as the percussionist in that band. Later while working as a freelance musician, Jonathan found himself on stage with nationally known artists including Stanley Turentine, Monty Alexander, Lou Donaldson and Mongo Santamaria.
In 1988, Jonathan joined hands with steel drum great Othello Molineaux. Othello toured the U.S. promoting a CD entitled It’s About Time which features Jonathan on six tunes. In 1990, Jonathan stepped out of the jazz arena, and for the next three years entered the R&B circuit, touring extensively with Grammy Award winning vocalist Betty Wright, and recording a CD entitled B-Attitudes. In 1993, Jonathan re-entered the jazz scene when he was asked to join jazz legend Josef Zawinul’s band The Zawinul Syndicate In 1994, Jonathan began working with Latin jazz flutist Nestor Torres, and in 1995 joined contemporary jazz saxophonist David Sanborn. Jonathan has also performed with guitarist Pat Metheny . . .
After attending the University of Miami School of Music. Jonathan formed and directed a modem jazz band which was called Decision He received his first break in the business when the band was engaged as an opening act for Dizzy Gillespie at Dizzy’s seventieth birthday celebration. Jonathan was featured as the percussionist in that band. Later while working as a freelance musician, Jonathan found himself on stage with nationally known artists including Stanley Turentine, Monty Alexander, Lou Donaldson and Mongo Santamaria.
In 1988, Jonathan joined hands with steel drum great Othello Molineaux. Othello toured the U.S. promoting a CD entitled It’s About Time which features Jonathan on six tunes. In 1990, Jonathan stepped out of the jazz arena, and for the next three years entered the R&B circuit, touring extensively with Grammy Award winning vocalist Betty Wright, and recording a CD entitled B-Attitudes. In 1993, Jonathan re-entered the jazz scene when he was asked to join jazz legend Josef Zawinul’s band The Zawinul Syndicate In 1994, Jonathan began working with Latin jazz flutist Nestor Torres, and in 1995 joined contemporary jazz saxophonist David Sanborn. Jonathan has also performed with guitarist Pat Metheny . . .