Jon Simon Biography

Jon Simon studied music composition with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer William Bolcom at the University of Michigan School of Music. While at Michigan, he was commissioned by the U of M Professional Theater Program to compose, arrange, and direct a musical based on Aristophenes’ "The Birds." He has also composed "The Illegitimate Child" for saxophone quartet, published by the World Saxophone Congress. Mr. Simon was voted one of Moment Magazine’s Top 10 Jewish Instrumental Performers.

Mr. Simon has appeared numerous times at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Merkin Recital Hall in New York, and at he Concord Resort. He has performed his jazz interpretations of Jewish music at the U.S. Senate and for the Ambassador at the Israeli Embassy, at one of the Inaugural Galas for President Clinton, as well as at concert halls, jazz clubs, synagogues and community centers throughout North America.

Mr. Simon’s eighth recording, Shabbatjazz, released on the Silver Lining Records label, features his contemporary piano interpretations of popular melodies from the Jewish Sabbath. Like his other recordings, Mr. Simon celebrates this music with his extraordinary piano technique and improvisational style.

Mr. Simon tours the country performing music from his new recording along with Jewish Broadway and Hollywood favorites featured on his acclaimed From Broadway to Hollywood release. In addition, he delights audiences with his piano arrangements of music from four highly successful recordings of music from the Jewish heritage (new traditions 1 and 2, Hanukkah…and all that jazz, and Zoom Gali Boogie), as well as his original compositions and Beatles interpretations from his highly regarded Beatles on Ivory recording.

Mr. Simon divides his time between composing and performing his works for solo piano and serving as a senior executive and consultant to a variety of Internet companies throughout the United States.

Mr. Simon holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School and graduated, summa cum laude, from the University of Michigan, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. He was born in Rochester, New York in 1955. Mr. Simon lives with his wife and three children in the metropolitan Washington, DC. Area.