Jon Ballantyne facts for kids

Jon Ballantyne in Brooklyn, New York, in the year 2000.

Jon Ballantyne is a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, but now lives near New York City. He is known for his skillful piano playing and for creating his own music.

Musical Journey

Early Life and Influences

Jon Ballantyne started playing the piano when he was very young. He began taking official lessons at age six. His love for jazz came from his parents. His father, Fred, was also a pianist, and both his parents were big jazz fans. They introduced him to music from famous artists like Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington.

During his teen years, Jon studied classical piano. He also played in a garage band with friends. In high school, he played the tenor saxophone and piano in the school's concert and stage bands.

Starting a Career in Jazz

After high school, Ballantyne earned a scholarship to a university in Texas. There, he played in the famous One O'clock Lab Band. In 1987, he joined a well-known big band called the Woody Herman Thundering Herd. He even toured with them again in Europe in the late 1990s.

In the 1990s, Jon lived in a neighborhood with many other talented musicians. He often got together with them for "jam sessions," where they would play music and improvise together.

Teaching and Performing

Ballantyne is also a teacher. He has held music workshops, called clinics, at many universities and music schools around the world. He has taught in places like Finland, Canada, and the United States.

Throughout his career, Jon has led his own music groups. From 1999 to 2006, he had a quartet (a group of four musicians) and a trio (a group of three). He has also toured and performed many times as a solo pianist.

Recent Work

Jon Ballantyne is still very active in the jazz world. He often performs at famous jazz clubs in the northeastern United States. He plays in several groups, including the Bill Goodwin Trio and The Parker Trio.

He also has a duo with guitarist Bill Washer called the "Mode for Joe Duo," where they play the music of the great saxophonist Joe Henderson. In 2024, they released a live album. That same year, a new trio album called "Trio It Is" was also released.

Discography

A discography is a list of an artist's recorded music. An asterisk (*) means the year shown is when the album was released. A JUNO Award is one of Canada's top music awards, similar to a Grammy Award in the U.S.

Filmography

• In the Key of Eh! Canadian Jazz Piano (1996)
• DUOS: The Jazz Sessions (1999)
• SOLOS: The Jazz Sessions (2006)
• "Oh Canada": presenting Canadian Jazz Artists (2016)