Born: August 22, 1961 Primary Instrument: Piano
Jon Raney was born in New York City in 1961. Son of guitar legend Jimmy Raney and brother of Steeplechase recording artist Doug Raney. Studied jazz piano with Kenny Barron, Cedar Walton and Michael Wolff, arranging and counterpoint with arranger Arthur Harris. Jon Raney worked several years for the 92nd Street Y School of the Arts Music dept and is on staff at The New School for Jazz in addition to teaching jazz piano and compostion privately. He received his B.A. in Music from Hunter College in 1985. Jon has performed in much talked about engagements with brother and guitarist, Doug Raney at Birdland and Zinc Bar. The Jon Raney Trio has performed in a number of New York city venues including the Red Eye Grill, Metronome, The Garage, Cleopatra’s Needle, Detour, 17 Main and the Guggenheim Museum. Concert engagements include the “Meet the Virtuoso” Series at the 92nd Street Y with guitarist Ed MacEachen, Cobi’s Place and the Hudson River Museum.
In ensembles Jon has performed at the Village Gate, The Knitting Factory, 55 Bar, Visiones, Trumpets and the Cornerstone. In these engagements have performed with bassists Jay Leonhart, Ogonna Okegwo, Michael Moore, Ron McClure and Dennis Irwin, drummers Elliot Zigmund, Gene Jackson, Yoron Israel and Bruce Cox, as well as hornmen Joe Magnarelli, Dan Faulk, Craig Bailey and Jamey Aebersold.
Toured with Doug Raney/Jon Raney quartet at the Copenhagen Jazz festival. Guest arranged Solar and Motion on Joe Cohn/Doug Raney’s album Two Funky People. Has served as musical director and arranger for vocalists Audrey Silver and Barbara King, and Linda Smith. Recent venues have included Danny’s Skylight Room and Prohibition. Also has been keyboardist/organist in the jazz Brazilian band, JBF led by guitarist Marc Levy. Currently in trio with Bill Evans alumnus, drummer Eliot Zigmund.
Over the years have performed in a number of musical contexts and styles ranging from new age, ethnic and jazz fusion to R&B and 50’s rock and roll. Have recorded a new age project with Bruce Huron and Lindsay Horner on Compass Records’ Lifescapes Series: “Saxophone and Piano Duets”. 1990’s stint with “doo wop” legends The Teenagers led to performances in Carnegie Hall, Westbury Music Hall and a nationally televised telethon appearance.
Have played for and been interviewed by “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Best Talk in Town”.
* 1992 National Endowment Award Recipient.
