Album Notes

JON WERKING Pianist/Composer/Arranger/Producer


You've heard Jon Werking for years, you just didn't know it. You recently heard him playing on the soundtrack of "Gangs of New York". Jon has played on countless films (others include You've got Mail and Beauty and the Beast ). You've heard him (and seen him) on television playing on "Live with Regis and Kelly" as their "in house" accompanist. Jon has also appeared on Guiding Light, Loving, BET and the Tony awards. You've also seen and heard Jon performing on Broadway in the Tony award winning musical "Fosse". Jon was featured on stage playing the famous piano solo (originally played by Jess Stacy) from Benny Goodman's legendary performance of Sing,Sing,Sing at Carnegie Hall. He continues his work on Broadway to this day, currently performing in the orchestra of "Aida".

Jon has also performed with the Buddy Rich Big Band, The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and The American Songbook at Lincoln Center. He has accompanied some of the finest vocalists in jazz and contemporary music including Toni Braxton, Patti La Belle, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin,New York Voices, Phyliss Hyman, Angela Bofill and Ivan Lins. He has also worked with some of the top instrumentalists in jazz including Michael and Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Dave Valentin, Grover Washington Jr., Dave Grusin, Larry Coryell, Chuck Loeb, pianist Michel Camilo and saxophonist Bill Evans.

Now Jon has just completed his first recording as a leader. A mostly solo piano recording (some tracks have more than one piano; synthesizers are used sparingly) entitled "Folk Prayer". An organic mix of jazz, folk, pop and blues, featuring a variety of original compositions, as well as, some of his favorite hymns arranged in fresh contemporary settings. The end result is a recording of extraordinary depth and beauty that takes the listener on a pianistic journey through a vast musical landscape. Jon is currently finishing up a new project with his group entitled "The Narrow Path".

Jon has been one of the most sought after pianists in New York for many years. Whether on stage or in the studio, on film or television, or now in his own solo career, Jon always brings a wealth of experience and excellence to every musical endeavor.

Jon received his training at Ithaca College School of Music (B.M. in piano performance) and the Eastman School of Music (M.M. in Jazz and Contemporary Media). He currently lives in Warwick, N.Y. with his wife Rhoda and four girls - Kristin, Natalie, Erika and Anna.