Born: September 25, 1955 Primary Instrument: Multi-instrumentalist
Jon Goforth
Jon Goforth is known as a captivating musical storyteller with many voices. His music career spans thirty years during which he has performed live and been recorded many thousands of times. Yet every time Jon picks up an instrument he creates a new listening experience; his technical proficiency and incredible feel for the music crosses genres from classical to funk, jazz to soul, R&B to pop.
A native of Seattle, Jon studied saxophone, clarinet, and flute with Johnny Jessen through his Lakeside High School years then immediately began his practical music education, touring internationally with the soul band Exit 122. Jon met with success during his two years in New York, then returned home to raise his children.
Jon’s musical voice is heard on more than a thousand commercials, over two hundred albums and on many television shows and movie soundtracks including Melrose Place, Burke’s Law, The Wedding Planner, and others. He recorded on over twelve hundred songs for Muzak and Audio Environments (AEI).
He has performed or recorded with internationally notable talents including Nancy Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Martha and the Vandellas, Bo Diddley, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Taj Mahal, Deniece Williams, Maureen McGovern, Ann Wilson, Maria Muldaur, Ernestine Anderson, Johnny Adams, Dr, John, The Temptations, The Ojays, The Wailers, Michel Legrande, Gene McDaniels, Big Jay McNeely, John Fedchock, Tom Pierson, Wayne Horvitz, and many others. Of local note, Jon in Ernestine Anderson’s musical director for her nonet. He also played with and recorded with Jim Knapp on his release “On Going Home.” He co-wrote and played a solo on “Your Love is What I Need” on Nancy Wilson's 1990 release, “Lady with a Song”, and was also the soloist on “Melody is You.”
An accomplished doubler, Jon performed on at least seven instruments nightly -including the electric bass - in the long running “Teatro Zinzanni” theater for two years. He has played and recorded with local legends Duffy Bishop, Jay Thomas, Jeff Simmons, and blues firebrand Nick Vigarino. For the past five years he has served as Ernestine Anderson’s local musical director for her signature nonet.
Jon continues to play engagements around the Pacific Northwest, teach dedicated students, and contribute to album projects as a soloist, arranger, and producer.
For more information email saxgoforth@yahoo.com or visit www.jongoforth.com.
Primary Instrument:
Multi-instrumentalist
Location:
Seattle, WA
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Has done clinics with the Alaska Jazz Workshops as well as several local high schools, including the award winning Garfield High School of Seattle. For more details, please inquire.
