Sqwonk
Bass Clarinet Duo
The San Francisco-based Sqwonk bass clarinet duo is a dynamic and adventurous ensemble that “pushes the envelope of what bass clarinet music can be” (Clarinet Magazine). Sqwonk is devoted to exploring the full expressive range of the bass clarinet, from deep resonances to raucous wails. While grounded in the classical tradition, Sqwonk’s music draws on a wide range of influences, from klezmer to heavy metal to blues to minimalism to free improvisation, creating a repertoire that is strikingly contemporary, yet broadly accessible to a wide audience.
Bass Clarinets Boston
Bass Clarinet Ensemble
Bass Clarinets Boston is dedicated to sharing the deeply expressive power of multiple bass clarinets with a broad audience. BCB’s repertoire ranges from Purcell choral works to Holiday songs to commissions from a diverse array of contemporary composers. Whether sonorously blending together in rich harmonies, soaring on altissimo melodies, or rocking out on groovy bass lines, BCB presents viscerally engaging performances of the highest technical precision, showing that the bass clarinet ensemble is capable of a uniquely rich, powerful, varied, and nuanced range of expression.
Soloist
Solo performance on clarinet and bass clarinet
“A real virtuoso with true command over his instrument’s range of expression” (San Mateo Daily Journal), Jonathan appears frequently as a clarinet and bass clarinet soloist in recital, chamber, orchestral, and wind band settings. Drawing on his wide range of experience in classical music, contemporary music, free improvisation, and klezmer music, he gives highly energized, detailed performances of both standard repertoire and new works. He frequently performs his own solo works and concertos, as well as premieres of works by other composers.
Klezmer
klezmer and eastern european folk music
Jonathan is a dedicated and passionate performer of Klezmer, Eastern European, and Balkan styles of music, in both traditional and experimental incarnations. For many years he was the clarinetist in the San Francisco Bay Area band Zoyres. He has also performed with the Bay Area band Adama, Yiddish singer Heather Klein, the Washington DC-based band Machaya, and Boston’s Hankus Netsky.
Dance
music director for dance productions
Jonathan has worked as Music Director on five dance productions with choreographers Janice Garrett and Charles Moulton. He has overseen all musical aspects of the productions, including finding repertoire; putting together a live instrumental ensemble; arranging, editing, and composing music as needed; and playing in and conducting the ensemble during the shows.
Photo: R J Muna