Biography
Jon Cowherd, recognized for his intricate and harmonically rich style within post-bop and beyond, maintains a strong connection to drummer Brian Blade. Having established the Brian Blade Fellowship alongside him, Cowherd has played a role in all the ensemble's recordings, such as the 2014 effort Landmarks, which earned a Grammy nomination. His personal discography includes Mercy from 2013, which incorporated Bill Frisell, and Pride & Joy issued in 2022 featuring Chris Potter; both projects involved his ensemble that also counted Blade and bassist John Patitucci among its members.
Originating from Kentucky, Cowherd received early musical exposure through his mother and father, each of whom worked as performers and educators. In addition to piano training, his activities encompassed singing as well as performing on French horn and violin. Following secondary education, he pursued studies at Loyola University in New Orleans, where jazz improvisation instruction came from figures including Ellis Marsalis and John Mahoney. During that time, his friendship with Brian Blade developed, leading to their joint creation of the Brian Blade Fellowship; the collective's output encompasses the well-received 1998 self-titled release, Perceptual from 2000, Season of Change in 2008, and the aforementioned 2014 Grammy-nominated Landmarks.
Taking the helm for his initial recording, Cowherd presented Mercy in 2013, which showcased his ensemble comprising Blade, John Patitucci on bass, and guitarist Bill Frisell. Across his career, he has collaborated with numerous esteemed musicians spanning diverse genres, among them Lizz Wright, Myron Walden, Iggy Pop, Glen Hansard, Brandi Carlile, John Scofield, and Rosanne Cash. Returning to the Fellowship in 2017 yielded Body and Shadow. Also in that year, his second album Gateway emerged, involving Steve Cardenas and Tony Scherr. Pride & Joy appeared in 2022, highlighting his trio of Blade and Patitucci supplemented by saxophonist Chris Potter and percussionist Alex Acuña.
Originating from Kentucky, Cowherd received early musical exposure through his mother and father, each of whom worked as performers and educators. In addition to piano training, his activities encompassed singing as well as performing on French horn and violin. Following secondary education, he pursued studies at Loyola University in New Orleans, where jazz improvisation instruction came from figures including Ellis Marsalis and John Mahoney. During that time, his friendship with Brian Blade developed, leading to their joint creation of the Brian Blade Fellowship; the collective's output encompasses the well-received 1998 self-titled release, Perceptual from 2000, Season of Change in 2008, and the aforementioned 2014 Grammy-nominated Landmarks.
Taking the helm for his initial recording, Cowherd presented Mercy in 2013, which showcased his ensemble comprising Blade, John Patitucci on bass, and guitarist Bill Frisell. Across his career, he has collaborated with numerous esteemed musicians spanning diverse genres, among them Lizz Wright, Myron Walden, Iggy Pop, Glen Hansard, Brandi Carlile, John Scofield, and Rosanne Cash. Returning to the Fellowship in 2017 yielded Body and Shadow. Also in that year, his second album Gateway emerged, involving Steve Cardenas and Tony Scherr. Pride & Joy appeared in 2022, highlighting his trio of Blade and Patitucci supplemented by saxophonist Chris Potter and percussionist Alex Acuña.
Singles