Album Notes

Guitarist/Composer Jonathan Kreisberg was born in New York City. "I was lucky to grow up in a household that had a great and wide record collection including Coltrane's My Favorite Things, John Williams playing the Aranjuez Concierto and Cream's Disraeli Gears." While still a child his family moved to Miami, where at age 10 he began playing the guitar. Originally inspired by a range of music, his early studies focused on Rock and Classical guitar as well as music theory. At age 16 he was featured in Guitar Player Magazine for his original music, and was also accepted to the New World School of the Arts where his jazz studies took center stage. He began an intense practice schedule and by the time he graduated high school he had been featured in Down Beat Magazine and had received a scholarship to the University of Miami Jazz program. At U of M he held the chair as guitarist for the acclaimed Concert Jazz band, touring Brazil and performing with Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, and Red Rodney.

Upon graduation, Jonathan began playing straight ahead jazz gigs as well as a myriad of other projects. He performed 20th century works with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas. He also recorded a C.D. and performed extensively with progressive rock group Third Wish. He formed the electric jazz oriented Jonathan Kreisberg Trio. Based in Miami, this Trio released a C.D. and completed several U.S. East Coast tours, which included opening slots for George Benson and Steve Morse. He also gave clinics at music schools as well as teaching private lessons.

In 1997 he returned to his birthplace in NYC with his focus on cutting edge acoustic jazz. "In my Miami Trio it was about coming up with new textures and being communicative while still playing intense musically. When I moved to New York I really wanted to hide in bars and work out melodies and harmonies. In a way it was a selfish period for me, but I feel I have much more to offer now." This also coincided with a renewed interest in the jazz tradition. "I find that the deeper I go into the tradition the more possibilities I become aware of in the future."

He has since performed in the groups of Joel Frahm, Greg Tardy, Jeff Andrews, Josh Roseman, Roy Nathanson (Jazz Passengers), Donald Edwards, Jane Monheit, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Yosvany Terry, and Lenny White, as well as leading his own groups of various instrumentations.
He is currently performing, composing, and teaching in New York City as well as playing concerts and teaching workshops internationally.