All winners of Tom Bianchi’s Open Mic Challenge will be playing 2 song sets here. The winner, chosen at the end of the night takes home near $500.
1677 Mass. Ave, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02148
Cost : $5-10 cover at the door
Lizard Lounge
Mar 5th, 2008 by jmenard
Lizard Lounge
Mar 5th, 2008 by jmenard
Playing a piano instrumental set as a Pre-cursor to Tom Bianchi’s OPEN MIC CHALLENGE night. The night goes on until at least 11PM with by far the greatest talent in Boston. Check it out.
Address:
1677 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02148
Cost: $5.00
R.M.’s Open Mic
Mar 5th, 2008 by jmenard
Playing a small set on guitar to support Rick Macomber hosting his own open mic. Should be good times.
Address: The Landing on Marblehead Harbor
81 State Street at Front Street
Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945
Meeting David Lanz
Feb 21st, 2008 by jmenard
When I was growing up, my house was always filled with music, even though neither of my parents played an instrument.ÂÂ
From as early as I can remember, nearly every night, while my father would sit there at our kitchen table reading various books or studying for his night school exams to get his degree, I would hear these haunting piano melodies coming from the CD player (once a tape player, that’s how long ago we’re talking about here.) The music, was that of David Lanz. I grew up listening to his New Age piano music, nearly every day. It was his music that inspired me to start playing the piano to begin with.
About two weeks ago, I actually had the chance to not only hear him perform some of these songs live, but meet him and shake his hand in person, and thank him for all he’s done for me (without ever really knowing it). I had the opportunity to give him one of my Piano Solo CD’s, obviously inspired by my years of listening to him. As if that wasn’t enough, the icing on the cake was the 2 signed music books he sent me, along with a few emails of encouragement and advice about my music and how to continue pursuing my goals.
I feel extremely lucky right now. It’s not very often people have the chance to meet those who inspire them to be something greater, let alone actually have any sort of correspondence with them. I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity.
Thank you David, you have given me another reason to keep on doing this, regardless of the outcome.
To everyone else, please, visit his site. Listen to his music. Hopefully then you will understand how amazing this experience has been for me.
JonathanÂÂ
“The Water’s Edge” available through CDFreedom
Feb 3rd, 2008 by jmenard
Hello all,
Well, the CD is up for order! You can either click the link in this post, or on the Icon on the left hand side of the CD cover. Both will bring you to the CDFreedom page where you can order my new instrumental CD “The Water’s Edge”; both digital or hardcopy.
If you want to listen to some samples, just go to the myspace page and you can hear 4 tracks from the album!
I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed writing and recording it.
Take Care,
Jon
The Water’s Edge – Piano Solos
Dec 21st, 2007 by jmenard
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Just a little note to say that the CD is in, just in time for Christmas, and I couldn’t be happier.
My friend Elisabeth Ryan, did an amazing job doing all of the CD photography and graphics.
And I was also lucky enough to have another good friend, Allison Lacasse, add some flute on a piece I orchestrated.
I’ll have the CD for order through my website here soon, just need to get through the holidays first!
Take a listen to some samples on the myspace page though in the meantime. The Link is on the left!
Happy holidays all,
Jon
Hello all!
Well, after about two months of being in and out of the studio, I completed my latest project, “The Water’s Edge” this past weekend.
The CD will feature 13 instrumental piano solos. One song has actually been fully orchestrated, with myself playing synthetic string parts and my good friend Allison Lacasse playing the flute.
I also have included in the CD, a cover/arrangement of the “Theme From Braveheart – A Gift of a Thistle” a song I’m sure most people would recognize.
The Myspace will have samples up in the next few days, and by the end of the month, ordering information will be posted on the site here. It will be going through the same company “Buzz” is currently being sold, so if you bought that, the process will be identical.
Overall, an amazing experience.
I want to give a quick thanks to my parents and brother for constantly telling me to do this over the years, and for my friend Elisabeth, who both inspired some of the music, did the grapchis for the entire album, and gave me that final nudge I needed to get this project going.
Thanks everyone.
Stay tuned for more.
Jon
News Article – Contest Coverage and other things
Nov 3rd, 2007 by jmenard
Little Update,
Recently, I was contacted by Liana Measmer who interviewed me for an article in the “Wicked Local Billerica” Newspaper.
You can check out the article here!
Enjoy the read
Jon
A Great Time at WROR
Oct 27th, 2007 by jmenard
Well,
This past Thrusday, I was able to go into the 105.7 WROR studio with the other top 10 finalists for their “townie tune” competition and see how Loren and Wally run their morning show first hand.
It was an incredible time, getting to see these guys in action and having a chance to talk with them. I was able to bring my father, which was a pretty exciting thing itself since he was the one who got me listening to their show in the first place.ÂÂ
I didn’t win the $5,000 grand prize, a friend of mine from the Boston music scene actually did though! (Michael Maloney, great guy). However, the experience was more than worth the time put into it, and it actually gave me a bit of publicity (I was interviewed for the Billerica local newspaper the other day, keep and eye out for the story!)
Needless to say, a great time. I also wanted to thank everyone that voted for me and even went the extra length to have others vote for me as well. The support is more than appreciated.
Take care,
Jon
Loren and Wally Morning Show Competition – Need Your Help!
Oct 18th, 2007 by jmenard
I recently entered a song competition to write what’s called a “Townie Tune” (a parody of the Boston area) for the Loren And Wally Morning Show. Turns out they liked it, played it on the air this morning, and placed it on their site (link above) for others to listen and vote for!
The compeition is for $5,000 so obviously I’m pretty excited.
Take a listen to the song it’s at the top currently titled “Want A Place To Park” — a parody of Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel.
I need the votes so if you like it, help me get into the finals this coming week!
Thanks all,
Jon
UPDATE: I MADE THE TOP TEN FINALISTS! There’s another round of voting and I will be on the air live Thursday morning 105.7 WROR around 7am!
The winner will be announced then! So visit http://www.WROR.com and vote for my song “Find a Place To Park” if you can!
