Career history

“The most important thing in my career is the variety; I’ll never turn down a chance to do something new and challenging.”

Jon received his musical training at Leeds College of Music, graduating in 2004 with a first-class honours degree. Afterward, he settled in Leeds and has worked as a freelance musician for the past 20 years turning his hand to any style of music, with a specialism in accompaniment. Jon is equally comfortable whether reading a show score or improvising for classwork and he loves the variety that each of these brings.

Jon spends around half his working life on tour, with recent shows including Northern Live – Do I Love You, The Last Days of Disco, The Celine Dion Songbook, and Shania 25 – Come On Over Live. In the past, he has also contributed to theatre productions such as In Dreams, Hairspray, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Hair, Annie, Hello Dolly, and each Christmas season he works as Musical Director for the pantomime at Hull New Theatre. His touring career has taken him to many of the UK’s premier music venues, including the London Palladium, Bridgewater Hall, The Sage Gateshead, Birmingham Symphony Hall, and Glastonbury.

The rest of his time is spent as a versatile accompanist and he regularly works at Northern Ballet, NSCD, Leeds Playhouse as well as for many other concerts and events.

Jon loves the collaboration which comes as an accompanist, whether it is for dance class, show preparation or simply for a vocalist and he strives to continually widen his musical palette so he can be sure he is able to provide exactly what is required.