Bio:

Jonah Barnett is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger, and experienced recording artist. Jonah is currently the professor of jazz guitar at The University of William and Mary in Williamsburg VA. Holding a Double Bachelors of Music in jazz studies and music composition from James Madison University in Harrisonburg Virginia, and a Masters of Music in jazz composition from the Manhattan School of Music, some of Jonah’s specialties include: composing/arranging modern works for contemporary settings, and performing in musical theater pit orchestras, event bands, and jazz groups. He is also experienced in music production, film scoring, copyist skills, and bookkeeping. Jonah was a recipient of the Ted and Sandra Ballowe Scholarship at JMU, and of the ASCAP/Fran Morgenstern Davis Scholarship while at MSM.

As a composer and arranger Jonah works with a vast array of ensembles, and in a wide variety of styles. Working as Music Supervisor and Orchestrator on the Off-Broadway musical “Alan Turing and the Queen of the Night,” Jonah has extensive experience with large jazz ensemble, instrumental small ensembles in both classical and jazz formats, and rhythm section section/commercial groups. He has also worked with choirs and vocal groups both unaccompanied and with various backing instrumentations, wind ensemble, string orchestra, and many folk, rock, hip-hop/R&B, commercial and non-standard instrumentations. Jonah has composed original music, arranged original compositions, classical pieces, and popular songs, as well as copied or orchestrated pre-existing works for all of the aforementioned groups. As an active performer, Jonah often creates sheet music and/or arranges for the group he is playing in, and is known for professional quality standards, speed, and efficiency. As a composer and arranger Jonah has worked with artists including: Ingrid Jensen, Jaleel Shaw, Donny McCaslin, Emily Loesser, Daniel Jamieson, Tireek Cody, and many others.

As a performer and recording artist, Jonah excels on electric, steel string acoustic, and nylon string guitars, as well as mandolin, tenor banjo, ukulele, dobro/slide guitar, electric bass, saxophones, keyboards, and a smattering of other instruments. Jonah has performed in an large variety of styles at renowned venues such as: The Players Theater, 54 Below, Dizzy’s Jazz Club, The Manhattan School of Music, James Madison University’s Forbes Center, The University of Virginia’s Culbreth Theater, Fordham University, The Kraine Theater, Green Room 42, and many others. Jonah has studied guitar with Adam Larrabee and Mike Moreno. In composition Jonah has studied with Mike Holober, Darcy James Argue, Eric Guinivan, Jason Haney, and Amanda Bono.

Jonah has experience facilitating and music directing studio recordings, live performances, and working with live sound and audio equipment. He also has extensive experience with recording, mixing and mastering, DAW’s, film scoring, music notation software, video editing, and musical equipment maintenance. Jonah is an active creator and educator, and is passionate about the impact of education on people’s lives. Jonah prides himself on his motivation, high standards of quality, reliability, and consistency, and above all else making authentic art that people connect to.