Jon LaTona

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Jon took up the electric bass at the age of twelve and started gigging professionally at the age of 15. Fascinated by artists like Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane, Jon sought out James Kurzdorfer, the original bassist of Spyro Gyra, for bass lessons. Compelled by the genre, he continued on to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia to obtain a degree in Jazz Studies.??After graduation, Jon went to LA to pursue a career in music. From 2009-2011 he toured and recorded with the talented singer-songwriter, Whitton. The band played the San Diego Independent Music Festival, Hotel Cafe, the House of Blues, and other notable west coast venues. Around the same time, Jon has also recorded and toured with the 10-piece orchestral rock band Marcus Very Ordinary. With this project, he collaborated with legendary guitarist and producer Peter Malick (Norah Jones) and drummer/percussionist Butch Norton (The Eels, Lucinda Williams, Rufus Wainwright). One of the original founders, Jon played double bass, composed, and arranged sting and horn section parts.

Before moving to New York, Jon recorded his first ep "Introducing... Jon LaTona." He hired some of LA's best musicians such as Mark Pender (trumpeter for Conan O'brien), Dave Hill (Collaborator with Scott Henderson and Yngwie Malmsteen) and great up and coming drummer Adam Alesi. This recording has already made an impact in jazz communities from coast to coast, being considered for the Independent Music Awards, and gathering international attention on internet radio.

Now in New York City, Jon is happy to have begun playing and attending shows and jam session at some of New York's most influential jazz clubs. Aware that one should never shop learning, he's recently taken bass lessons with Larry Grenadier (Brad Mehldau), Joe Martin (Mark Turner), and Scott Colley (Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall).

While jazz is Jon's main focus and passion, he continues to collaborate with LA artist, Patrick Joseph. Over the past two years, Jon has played a whopping 9 showcases at the coveted South by South West Music festival and 3 showcases at the North by North East festival in Toronto. Jon also performed with Patrick Joseph on Canada AM, Canada's premier morning talk show as of June 2013. Jon also records, composes and performs with electronic artist Stef Lebaux.