Jon Smith
BM '09
It’s important to be professional no matter what you’re doing musically. You could be playing Carnegie Hall or the smallest club in the world. The setting doesn’t matter—you have to respect the music. Play the role the music asks, play within yourself and stay true to yourself.
Jonathan Smith was born in Flushing, NY. He grew up in Perkasie, PA from age 8 to 18 before moving to Philadelphia to study at University of the Arts. There, Jon studied with Charles Fambrough, Steve Beskrone and Gerald Veasley as well as Craig Thomas, Kevin McConnell and Micah Jones.
He’s worked for artists such as: Ray Angry, Birdy, Jeff Bradshaw, Karen Briggs, Chantae Cann, Nick Colionne, Khemist, Jessica Reedy, Carol Riddick, Korey Riker, Jazmine Sullivan, Laurin Talese, The Mini Q's and Nestor Torres.
Currently, Jon resides in South Philadelphia where he teaches private lessons and records. His bass style is a fusion of R&B and Jazz that’s been cultivated through years of gigging in the Philadelphia music scene. Although he’s always been heavily influenced by his father Ken Smith (luthier and founder of Ken Smith Basses), getting to play with artists like Eric Wortham, Luke Carlos O'Reilly, George “Spanky” McCurdy and Rick Tate on a nightly basis pushed him to develop as a musician overall.
Jon is endorsed by Ken Smith Basses and Epifani Bass Amps and Cabinets. His main bass is an A1997 Ken Smith Maple Bolton 4 String Electric Bass. Jon’s main effects are a MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, MXR Bass Envelope Filter, and a Digitech Bass Multi-Chorus. His Bass Head uses an Epifani Piccolo 600 amp and his main cabinet is an Epifani UL3*10.
Instagram: @jonsmith5string
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