Biography

Jonn Reyna (all-round pianist, composer, arranger, teacher and organizer) is an exceptionally gifted pianist, partly thanks to the musical education provided by his father Willem Reinen, a renowned trumpet player. Jonn started playing at the tender age of 11 and studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, the Netherlands, with Rob van Kreeveld en Rob van Bavel. He continued his studies with Henk Elkerbout at the Conservatory in Hilversum, where he passed with distinction! Besides the piano, Jonn also enjoys playing Fender Rhodes and a variety of synthesizers, as well as the Hammond organ, a recently discovered passion.

Jonn has developed his very own and recognizable style. A rhythmic, dynamic, adventurous and melodic way of playing, characterized by personal freedom and passionate climaxes in his solos! Because of his versatility, empathy and flexibility he is much sought-after in the gig circuit.
His many years of experience as an accompanist, orchestra and session leader, private teacher and organizer have made him an authority in music. Jonn is inspired by a variety of styles, including gospel, soul, boogie-woogie, blues, fusion, funk, bebop, Latin, Brazilian, free jazz, tango and Hungarian and Rumanian gypsy music.

Some of Jonn’s favorite pianists: Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Kenny Kirkland, Phineas Newborn, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Rowles, Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson, Eric Legnini, Brad Mehldau etc. During his education in The Hague, Jonn accompanied renowned guest teachers such as Barry Harris, Eliane Elias, Pat Metheny, Deborah Brown, Michael Brecker, Michel Petrucciani, Peter Erskine, Marc Johnson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Vincent Herring, Bob Mintzer etc.

Since 1990, Jonn has his own jazz quartet, featuring Simon Rigter on tenor saxophone, Stefan Lievestro on double bass and Joost van Schaik on drums. In 1991 Jonn became the regular pianist of the Rotterdam jazz ensemble, conducted by Arnoud Gerritse. In May 1993 he won 1st prize with his trio at the ‘Schak’ modern jazz competition. From 1993 till 1995 Jonn held the piano chair in the double tenor quartet ‘De Schaal van Rigter’ (‘The Rigter Scale’).

In 1993, Jonn was the regular accompanist of Dutch cabaret performer Tom Oosterhuis, together with guitarist Marcel Dorenbos. In the same year Jonn accompanied Max Teawhistle at the North Sea jazz festival. In the wee small hours afterwards Jonn could be found at the piano during the notorious Bel Air Hotel jam sessions, where he played with international celebrities such as Jon Faddis, Roy Hargrove, James Carter, George Benson, James Mc Cammack, Ari Hoenig, Marcus Miller and many others.

Since 1990 Jonn has been active as a session leader, programmer and organizer in The Hague. This gained him a great deal of experience in accompanying soloists. From 1990 up to 1996 Jonn has lead several jam sessions and organized concerts on a variety of local stages, including Miller’ s, Gabor’s, The Palace Pub, De Haagse Kunstkring, De Bierkelder and  Roezemoez. In the autumn of 1994 Jonn organized sessions in Theater Pepijn with well-known artists such as Ben van den Dungen, Jarmo Hoogendijk, Eric Vloeimans, Ruud Breuls, John Ruocco, Bart van Lier, Benjamin Herman, Fred Leeflang and many others. On December 7th 1996, a portrait of Jonn was broadcasted in Urbania, an NPS TV show that aired on Nederland 3.

Jonn is also active in the pop music field! Starting in 1990, he performed every Sunday night at music café De Pater. From 1990 till 1992 he was a member of the fusion group ‘To the Limit’. In 1993, he participated in Marcel Dorenbos’ ‘Clockwork Orange’ fusion project. Since 1994 Jonn frequently played in ‘Planet Groove’, a jazz dance group led by guitarist Ferry Smans, with Aram Kersbergen (Kane) on bass guitar and Chris Strik (Deedee Bridgewater) on drums.

Jonn regularly performs as a freelancer with several groups in the wedding and party scene, including Jamento, Mo'Music, Unit 7, Pasadena Dream Band, recently called www.soul-society.nl

Jonn is very active with promoting local young musical talent. Jonn was also nominated as Night Mayor of The Hague. He was the musical editor of ‘De Nachtkrant’, a newspaper featuring articles on nightlife and entertainment in The Hague. From 1999 till 2005 Jonn resided in Arnhem, where he breathed new life in the local jazz scene. He organized many concerts at Musis Sacrum and De Katoenclub, featuring renowned guest soloists such as Eef Albers, Jarmo Hoogendijk, Jasper Blom, Jilt Jansma, John Marshall, Kees van Lier, Herman Nijkamp and many others.

In September 2001, Jonn won 2nd prize with his trio at the jazz competition in Wageningen. This trio also performed at the TROS Sesjun radio show in Laren on January 1st, 2002, with his father Willem as a guest soloist!

In 1998 Jonn performed solo on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Jonn played many concerts with the following groups: the New Jan Reinen Trio (featuring Eric Surmenian on double bass and Joost van Schaik on-drums), Bart Wirtz/Nico Schepers Quintet (winners of the  Erasmus Jazz Competition in Rotterdam in 1999; Jonn won the best soloist award!), Planet Groove, Spaszmataszm, Jeroen Pek Quartet, Ben van den Dungen Kwartet, Tango Extremo, Brenda Frans Kwartet etc... 

In addition, Jonn plays as freelancer with several groups and artists, including Deborah J. Carter Quartet, Midland Big Band, Millenium Jazz Orchestra, Guus Tangelder Big Band, Krench Fisz, Combo Frenk Gort, Showbizz City Soul  Situation, Gateway, a fusion trio with Udo Pannekeet and Sebastiaan Cornelissen, Jay-Tee Band, former Miles Davis sideman Rick Margitza (tenor saxophone) , Joe Ambrosia, Philip Harper, Gene Jackson (ex Herbie Hancock), Joris Teepe, Tim Armacost, Shingo Okudaira, Jean-Marc Jafet, Dmitri Shapko, Jose Lopretti, Miguel Martinez etc. Rob Ramsey project (featuring Robert Bogaart on trumpet, Robin Koerts on bass guitar and Jeroen Zange on drums), Ronald Snijders (flute) and Danny Lerman (alto saxophone). Since 2005, Jonn has a regular group with Rinus Groeneveld (tenor saxophone) Maarten Kruijswijk on drums and Sergei Shapko on double bass. Now he is having his own JONN REYNA QUARTET with Rick Margitza on tenor saxophone, Joris Teepe on double bass and bassguitar, Gene Jackson on drums. Their recently released CD 'Consolidao' has been received very well. Several very positively previews for example at the PIANOWERELD magazine and Jazzflits. Dmitri Shapko on tenorsax, Philip Harper and Deborah J. Carter are special guests on the record.

Jonn also played last month with famous DJ Fedde Le Grand at his opening show at theater Carre, Amsterdam

http://www.youtu.be/fmNguyl61aU

 

 

Jonn has performed in a variety of countries, including Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine, Switzerland, Caribbean, Cuba, Florida, Aruba, Japan, Finland, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cyprus, Thailand, Bolivia, Dominican Republic