JONAS BIO
Jonas - Sweet Dreams GuaranteedJonas started playing music at an early age- initially banging on pots and pans but quickly moving on to guitar, bass, drums and a bit of piano. The greatest revelation to Jonas though, was when he discovered Stevie Wonder’s album “Songs In The Key Of Life” in his fathers record shelves. Stevie landed on the recordplayer and ignited Jonas’ passion for singing. This passion has stayed with Jonas to great succes ever since.
After having played in numerous bands during his teenage years, Jonas formed the soul band Jonz with 4 other talented musicians. After only 3 gigs, the band got signed to a worldwide deal with Sony Music. This lead to a tight working relationship with manager Keith Harris (Stevie Wonder, Omar, Lynden David Hall) and producer Pete Smith (Randy Crawford, Joe Cocker, Sting) making the critically acclaimed debut album “Where It’s At”. The single “Sleeping” was #1 on the national danish airplay chart, and made waves in various parts of the world. Even Stevie Wonder was caught humming one of Jonas’ songs, and said “when can I get my copy of the album?”
After a couple of years Jonas parted ways with Jonz, and has since then been working on his own solo material. Besides this, he has been involved in countless projects on the side with other musicians, producers and songwriters all over the world including writing songs with the late Lynden David Hall; co-fronting the 17 piece soul collective Nu Soul Connexion; working as vocal-producer on many danish albums. The latest addition to collaborations is an EP and a full length album the hip hop and soul project SWEATSHOP (www.myspace.com/sweatshopdk) entitled “The Hustle”.
The last several years Jonas has been touring Europe extensively as backing singer and support act with the multi-ethnic hip hop group Outlandish. On the tour Jonas have recieved a hugely positive response everywhere. As a result of the Outlandish tour and Jonas’ undeniable talent, the music industry all over the globe started to take notice of his music. Jonas was acknowledged Unsigned artist of the month at www.vibinmusic.co.uk, and Essential Album in Blues & Soul Magazine. Many of the the album’s songs enjoying extensive airplay on radios from Nuuk to NYC…
Jonas debut album “Sweet Dreams Guaranteed” has been created with songwriters, musicians and producers from Copenhagenn, New York, Milwaukee and London. Jonas spent time in the studio in USA with George Nash Jr and Demonté Posey - the main guys behind american soul icon Eric Benét. The time was used writing, recording and producing, which a.o. gave birth to the song “Things Gotta Change”, which features basslegend Pino Palladino and brass innovator Roy Hargrove. Both Pino and Roy are known for putting their magic touches to albums by the biggest icons in the genre, so this surely was a dream come true to Jonas.
Jonas’ music is a modern interpretation of soul. Inspiration comes mainly from the old soul classics, but also draws lines to jazz and hip hop. What shines through is the way Jonas succeds in developing a sound that is completely his own. A warm gentle expressive voice and sound, combined with thoughtful, humerous and poetic lyrics, all adds up to a mixture that is super sexy and simply irressistable.
“Sweet Dreams Guaranteed” is an album that creeps under your skin and keeps growing and growing.
Catch Jonas on tour with Outlandish in June:
June, 18 2008 at ONUTSS - Jonas Listening Party @ Billie’s Black Bar Lounge , New York NY
June, 21 2008 at Heritage Forum•Los Angeles • CA •USA
June, 22 2008 at The Majestic Theater• Dallas, Texas • USA
