Jonathan Kreisberg

Biography

Jonathan Kreisberg was born in New York City in 1972, and his family relocated to Miami when he was a young child. Exposed to diverse music from his parents, he began playing guitar at age 10, studying music theory, rock, and classical guitar. At 16, he entered the New World School of the Arts in Miami, focusing on jazz, and gained early recognition with features in Guitar Player and DownBeat magazines while still in high school. He earned a scholarship to the University of Miami Jazz Program, graduating in 1994, where he held the guitar chair in the Concert Jazz Band and performed with Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, and Red Rodney.[1][2][3][4]

Fun Facts

• Performed with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas on 20th-century works and opened for rock legends Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen with progressive rock group Third Wish.[3]
• Self-released his first trio album at age 21 right after University of Miami graduation.[4]
• Recorded solo guitar album 'One' in 2013 with liberal interpretations of standards live, no overdubs, impressing reviewers with prodigious chops.[4]
• Toured Brazil with University of Miami Concert Jazz Band and held guitar chair there.[1][3]

Associated Acts

• Jonathan Kreisberg Trio

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Allan Holdsworth - major stylistic influence as a fusion giant (general influence on technique and style) [ongoing from early career]

Key Collaborators

• Dr. Lonnie Smith - frequent sideman in organ trio, mainstay for over a decade (various recordings and tours since 2009) [2009-present]
• Will Vinson - quartet member and frequent collaborator (Shadowless (2011), Wave Upon Wave) [2011 onward]
• Joe Locke - sideman work (various projects) [career spanning]
• Ari Hoenig - sideman work (various projects) [career spanning]
• Nelson Veras - collaboration on duo album (Kreisberg Meets Veras) [recent]
• Colin Stranahan - regular trio and quartet drummer (Wave Upon Wave, Capturing Spirits – JKQ Live, Fasching quartet) [2010s-present]

Artists Influenced

• Generation of musicians - influenced through unique melodic sensibility and forward-thinking style (general impact noted in profiles) [past two decades]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz