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Being called the “most outstanding and sought after bassist in the West Michigan area” by your peers isn’t something that’s earned easily. Jonathan Moody is fortunate enough to have earned that reputation, and grateful for the continued opportunities to keep it.
With over twenty years of experience, Jon has found himself in over a dozen different states and six different countries, playing a variety of music to an even wider variety of audience. From the symphony halls in France to the Summerstock Theatre in New Hampshire, the Telluride Jazz Festival in Colorado to the house band at Cedar Point, Jon brings a musical maturity of those twice his age, and the humor of those half his age. One thing remains constant however; Jon loves to play music, period.
With his original background in classical double-bass, Jon picked up the electric bass at the request of a jazz band director in high school. In college, Jon dabbled in funk, rock, jazz, dixieland...pretty much anything that would keep him playing. Combining genres together has given Jon a unique voice on the instrument, able to sit in the background and fully support whatever style he is playing, and yet keep his whimsical attitude present in every note he plays. Not one to stand out in the crowd per se, Jon's role as a sideman is more about keeping the music going and the people dancing instead of impressing the local musicians.
Jon has shared the stage with such notables as Terence Blanchard, Charles MacPherson, Bucky Pizzarelli and Yoboso' in the jazz idiom and Dick Wagner (Frost, Alice Cooper), Brian Vanderaark (Verve Pipe), Drums & Tuba and Dixie Hustler in the rock world. Jon has also has the pleasure of backing up such notables as Dennis Edwards (the Temptations), Fee Waybill (the Tubes), Kim Zimmer and David Naughton, to name a few.
Currently residing in Kalamazoo, Jon is freelancing around the West Michigan area in local theatres and churches. He is also working on a solo album, sitting in on various local jam sessions as well as making sure his wife doesn't forget who he is.
His competency as a musician is evident via his extreme consistency, both in sight reading and in playing. As a conductor, I appreciate Jon’s attention to detail and style in navigating through difficult musical theatre scores. You can always count on Jon to deliver a good, solid performance!
Aaron Cassette
Musical Theatre Director
Jon has shown himself to be a highly versatile and dynamic bass player through out the years that I have known him. Approaching his craft with passion and dedication has resulted in one class act that we have come to depend on. A true professional.
Rachel Irimescu
Manager, Wiser Time
www.wiser-time.com
His versatility to shift between classical, rock, blues, funk and everything in between is what sets Jon Moody apart from other musicians. He is a master at sight-reading, technique and improvisation on both the upright and electric bass. As a musical director, I seek out Jon first when I contract an orchestra.
Courtney Phelps
Musical Theatre Director