Jonathan Hartman

Over the last several years, Jonathan Hartman has established himself as one of the rising saxophonists of his generation; a thoroughly modern and unique musical voice.

Born May 4, 1974 and hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Jonathan was first exposed to jazz music via his grandfather, Robert Morgan, who gave him his first saxophone at age ten. Mr. Morgan was the head engraver at King Musical Instruments for over forty years, engraving horns for the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, J.J. Johnson, and Julian “Cannonball” Adderley. It was Cannonball’s musical influence that first convinced Jonathan to pursue the saxophone seriously. He began studying with Cleveland saxophonist Jon Klayman, and by age fifteen began playing professionally throughout the Cleveland area, performing with artists like Kenny Davis and Greg Bandy.

After high school, Jonathan Hartman attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and then the prestigious jazz studies program at William Paterson College. After a period of intensive practice away from school, Jonathan eventually returned to the Cleveland, graduating Magna cum Laude from Cleveland State University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance. While at CSU, Jonathan studied with noted saxophonist and composer Howie Smith. In addition to Mr. Smith, Jonathan has privately studied with Clark Terry, James Moody, Bobby Watson, Jesse Davis, Wessell Anderson, Harold Mabern, Greg Bandy, Gary Smulyan, and Joe Lovano.

During this time Jonathan performed throughout the greater Midwest, working with jazz, r&b, funk, blues, Brazilian and salsa bands. Jonathan also had the opportunity to work with Marcus Belgrave, a Detroit trumpet legend and mentor to many of this generation’s brightest jazz musicians, including Kenny Garrett and Geri Allen. Belgrave had a profound influence on Jonathan, which led to an increased level of commitment to playing jazz music, as well as convincing him to move to New York.

After an initial foray in 1998, Jonathan moved permanently to New York in 1999 and began playing in a wide variety of situations. The saxophonist has performed with artists as varied as Bobby Watson, Victor Lewis, Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Jon Benitez, Benny Powell, Steven Bernstein’s Sex Mob, Bobby Few, Gary Bartz, Greg Bandy, David Hazeltine, Kirk Lightsey and organists Seleno Clarke and Rob Bargad. He has performed as a leader or sideman in New York at the Jazz Standard, the St. Nick's Pub, the Lenox Lounge, Showman’s, Smoke, Cleopatra's Needle, Iridium, Small’s, Elbow Room, Triad, the Sage Theater, Sugar Bar, and Tonic. He has also performed at Sunside/Sunset and Duc de Lombard in Paris, France.

Jonathan has worked with Columbia University’s Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University under the direction of noted jazz scholar and author Robert O’Meally. He supervised the acquisition and cataloguing of privately held jazz memorabilia and recording collections donated to the Center. He also assisted in the planning, promotion, and presentation of concerts and speaking engagements for the Center, featuring Rashied Ali, Ravi Coltrane, Jon Faddis, Greg Osby, Jason Moran, and Ken Burns.

An active educator, Jonathan has taught music for over 12 years. In addition to his private studio, Mr. Hartman is currently teaching with the New York Pops Education Department at Carnegie Hall.

Jonathan’s is currently focused on his quartet project, as well as composing for this group. An active player, writer, and educator, and ardent student of the saxophone, Jonathan Hartman is an example of a dynamic 21 st century musician, and is bound to make a major mark in the music world as his career develops. Show less