Jon has been a saxophonist for over four decades influenced by the greatest players of the instrument. He developed his Hard Bop roots attending Oakland University studying with the great Sam Sanders and other Motown session players in the Detroit area. After moving to west Michigan he continued his education at Aquinas College and quickly became a first call musician for numerous corporate recordings and performances with: The Temptations / The Four Tops / Aretha Franklin / Lou Rawls / Fabian/ Oak Ridge Boys / Bobby Shew/ Bill Watrous/ The Grand Rapids Symphony /Pontiac-Oakland Symphony / Johnny Mathis / Lou Christie / and many others.
Jon joined the U.S. Army as a saxophonist and eventually the Commander and Conductor of the 126th Army Band in Michigan where he was often a featured soloist traveling to Germany, Italy, Australia, Trinidad, Belgium, Denmark, and France.
As a teacher Jon has started the musical journeys of hundreds of students while instructing at Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College and local Michigan high schools. His dedication to music education spans 36 years and he has helped his students earn numerous awards and scholarships at the nation’s best music schools and festivals.
Jon currently performs throughout the Midwest with the area’s top musicians. His decades of experience and soulful sound are in demand and he delivers them with Sax Dakota Saxophones.
