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About Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards, a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, also earned a Master of Arts degree from New York University. His Master's thesis explored innovative music education and ethnomusicology. Jonathan's performance ability on a multiplicity of percussion instruments results from his planetary music education (stretching from Norway to Indonesia).  In addition to his academic studies, he has studied drum set with Bob Moses, tabla with master Shyam Perihar from Bombay, and traveled to Bali to study gamelan with Weyan Gibral.

Constantly in search of musical knowledge, in 1995 Jonathan attended the Berklee College of Music World Percussion Festival where he studied with Trichy Sankara, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Jamie Haddad.  In 1996 he traveled to San Diego State University to study Javanese gamelan, African Drumming and South Indian solkattu, at The Center for Professional Development in World Music, presented by the College Music Society.  Jonathan is a member of The International Association of Jazz Educators, The Society of Ethnomusicology, The Percussion Arts Society, and Music for People.

Jonathan Edwards - The Performer

Jonathan has been busy performing professionally for over 30 years.  He has performed and recorded with numerous jazz, blues, ethnic, and improvisational artists throughout the Northeast.  Some of these include: David Darling, Mark Whitecage, Perry Robinson, "T" Fleisher, and David Rothenberg.

Mr. Edwards spent a year on the road with "The Fabulous Blue Sparks", performed in Boston with the innovative jazz and poetry group, "The Artemus Ensemble", played with the Ivar Berkeland Jazz Trio in Oslo, Norway, and performed with renowned Aboriginal writer and story teller, Burnam Burnam, in Sydney, Australia.  Jonathan founded the improvisational poly-ethnic jazz group, "Heart Like A Feather". whose first release featured world famous cellist David Darling.

He recorded various film scores including the sound track for the Discovery Channel's "How The West Was Lost" (directed by Peter Kater and featuring R. Carlos Nakai.) He has frequently worked in theater, including various projects with the Bloomburg Theater Ensemble.

Jonathan set a precedent on WVIA Public Radio by being featured on a Homegrown Music show which aired one piece from each of his diverse recordings.  His most recent show featured Jonathan on ZenDrum and tenor saxophone.  Jonathan has a collection of over 50 ethnic percussion instruments and occasionally uses electronics and saxophones in his performances.

 Jonathan Edwards - The Educator    Workshops, lectures, clinics, residencies.

Jonathan is experienced in teaching all ages and has taught at elementary and secondary schools, colleges and continuing education programs. 
 

* Found Sounds	* Sonic Story Scapes	* Drum Circles	* Music and Ritual
* Rhythm Communities	* African Drumming	* World Percussion	* Afro-Cuban
* Improvisation	* Gamelan (Indonesian)	* History of Jazz	* Traditional Music of India

Jonathan enjoys interdisciplinary arts and programs and often utilizes aspects of theater, poetry, and creative movement in his classes.  Jonathan loves music and believes that learning music should be fun.  This is evident in the joy and enthusiasm apparent in every project with which he is involved.  He has facilitated workshops at: New York University, Drummer's Collective (NYC), Bucknell University, The Juilliard School of Music, The Berklee College of Music and Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Educational assembly programs in world music and improvisation offered.  Programs customized to meet your specific needs!

"...he is a teacher who understands that teaching is both an art and a science and an artist who is able to teach". Mary Harris, Ed.D, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA