Music

Music has always been as important to me as design, and over the years the two have constantly influenced each other creatively.

I’m a Grade 8+ saxophonist with a long-standing passion for jazz and contemporary improvisation. Over the years I’ve played as both a soloist and ensemble member in a variety of bands and groups ranging from classical saxophone quartets and big bands to jazz and pop ensembles. I was a member of The Original Sax Quartet (OSQ) for many years and performed regularly with my first band around the Bath, Chippenham and Malmesbury area. I’ve also been a member of JazzFactory at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon since 2011.

Today I lead JPQ (Jon Pearce Quartet), a contemporary jazz quartet blending original compositions, jazz standards and lesser-known gems with the distinctive sound of tenor and soprano saxophones alongside modern electronic wind instruments (EWI/Aerophone). My influences range from the soulful phrasing of Stanley Turrentine and Cannonball Adderley to the atmospheric textures of Kyle Eastwood and Matthew Halsall.

Alongside performing live, I enjoy composing, recording and experimenting with sound design and technology, exploring the same balance of creativity, structure and improvisation that also drives my design work. I particularly enjoy composing in a range of jazz styles, from groove-based contemporary jazz and modal improvisation to more cinematic and atmospheric pieces. Increasingly, my own compositions are becoming a central part of the JPQ repertoire, allowing the band to develop a more distinctive and personal sound while continuing to evolve creatively through live performance.

Visit  jpqjazz.co.uk