Jon Schmidt

Jon Schmidt
Born July 9, 1966 (1966-07-09) (age 45)
Origin Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Genres New Age, pop
Occupations Composer, performer, pianist
Instruments piano
Years active 1990–present
Labels Aubergine Records, Shadow Mountain, JS Productions
Associated acts The piano guys, Steven Sharp Nelson, Peter Breinholt
Website www.jonschmidt.com

Jon Schmidt (born 1966) is an American pianist currently residing in Bountiful, Utah. He describes his style as "New Age Classical." He was born to German immigrants who acquainted him with the works of such composers as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. He began songwriting at age 11. To date, he has released eight albums and seven piano books containing transcriptions of original arrangements.

He currently works with Steven Sharp Nelson on a project called The piano guys, which has proved quite popular.

His work is often described as New Age music with pop elements of hook and melody. He is also noted for his treatment of harmony, counterpoint, and rhythm. His works were also featured on sample discs for the Iomega Hipzip Digital Audio Player with the pieces "Sacred Ground", "All of Me", and "Waterfall".

Schmidt's influences include Mannheim Steamroller, Billy Joel, and Beethoven.

Schmidt currently has more than 1.5 million hits on YouTube for his piano/cello arrangement of Taylor Swift's "Love Story" and Coldplay's "Viva La Vida", which is called "Love Story meets Viva La Vida".[1]

Contents

Personal life

Schmidt is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[2][3][4][5] One of his CDs is a collection of hymns without words.[6] Schmidt has also worked with Peter Breinholt in producing music for Especially for Youth.[7]

Schmidt and his wife Michelle have five children.[8]

Discography

"Hits Volume 1", 2011

  1. Michael Meets Mozart
  2. Moonlight
  3. Without You
  4. The Cello Song
  5. Rolling in the Deep
  6. Cello Wars (Radio Edit)
  7. O Fortuna
  8. Bring Him Home
  9. Charlie Brown Medley
  10. Rock Meets Rachmaninoff
  11. All of Me

"Hits Volume 1 Limited Edition", 2011

  1. Michael Meets Mozart
  2. Moonlight
  3. Without You
  4. The Cello Song
  5. Rolling in the Deep
  6. Cello Wars (Radio Edit)
  7. O Fortuna
  8. Bring Him Home
  9. Charlie Brown Medley
  10. Rock Meets Rachmaninoff
  11. All of Me
  12. More Than Words
  13. Twinkle Lullaby

"Bonus Tracks", 2009, JS Productions

  1. Love Story meets Viva la Vida (Taylor Swift Remix)
  2. Long Long Ago (Piano/Cello)
  3. Jessica's Theme (from The Man from Snowy River)
  4. Road Trip
  5. 8:42 at Red Rock Canyon (Verbal Intro)
  6. 8:42 at Red Rock Canyon
  7. All of Me (Sut's Fav.) Live
  8. Dumb Song Live
  9. Peanuts Medley Live (Linus & Lucy, Track Meet - Vince Guaraldi Cover)
  10. Death of Dumbledore
  11. Thank You (For the Heroes)
  12. The Fishing Stream
  13. ROCKmaninoff (Prelude in C-sharp minor - Rachmaninoff)

Hymns Without Words, 2006, JS Productions

  1. For the Beauty of the Earth
  2. Renaissance Hymn (Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise / Saints Behold How Great Jehovah)
  3. Baptism Hymn
  4. A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
  5. Our Savior's Love
  6. Onward Christian Soldiers
  7. Hymn of Nature (All Creatures of Our God and King)
  8. Funeral Hymn (Jesus the Very Thought / Tribute)
  9. That Easter Morn
  10. O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown
  11. Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands

Winter Serenade, 2004, JS Productions

  1. In The Bleak Midwinter
  2. Pachelbel meets U2
  3. North Pole Express (Ding Dong Merrily On High)
  4. Wexford Carol
  5. Still, Still, Still
  6. First Run
  7. Winter Serenade (Sussex Carol)
  8. Deep Winter (Prelude in B-flat minor)
  9. Last Lullaby (Thomas' Song)
  10. I Will

To The Summit, 2000, JS Productions

  1. Prelude (My Little Girl)
  2. Rush Hour on the Escalante
  3. To the Summit
  4. Night Song
  5. Game Day (Highland Games)
  6. Air on the "F" String
  7. Our Song
  8. I Do
  9. Can't Help Falling in Love
  10. Sacred Ground

Jon Schmidt Christmas, 1997, Shadow Mountain

  1. Were you There?
  2. Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella
  3. Christmas Medley
  4. Stars Were Gleaming
  5. I Saw Three Ships
  6. Star Carol
  7. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
  8. Christmas Morning
  9. Süsser de Glocken
  10. Christmas Hymn
  11. Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming
  12. Behold and See
  13. Gaelic Blessing
  14. Silent Night

Day in the Sunset, 1994, Aubergine Records

  1. By Moonlight
  2. Soaring
  3. Morning Light
  4. Care Free
  5. Going Home
  6. Solace
  7. Christopher's Song
  8. Longing
  9. Second Variation
  10. Big Sky Sunset

Walk in the Woods, 1993, Aubergine Records

  1. Good Times (Class Of '84)
  2. Waterfall
  3. Passages
  4. Winter Wind
  5. Walk In The Woods
  6. Hymn of Spring
  7. Bells of Freedom
  8. Good Day
  9. Tribute (Rose-Anne's Song)
  10. Cherished Moments

August End, 1991, Aubergine Records

  1. Heart of a Child
  2. Homecoming
  3. Nativity
  4. First Love
  5. Ridin' West
  6. August End
  7. Piece Of The Storm
  8. All Of Me
  9. Song Of The Ocean
  10. Bedtime Story

Singles

References

  1. ^ The video was removed from YouTube by the uploader (old link. New Link)
  2. ^ Jon Schmidt - LDS Musician
  3. ^ LDS musician Jon Schmidt takes over the Tabernacle | Scroll
  4. ^ John Schmidt Performs Benefit Concert - Topix
  5. ^ LDS Church News, January 8th, 2005
  6. ^ DeseretBook.com - Jon Schmidt
  7. ^ Forward With Faith Especially for Youth 2000 CD - BYU Bookstore
  8. ^ Wadley, Carmen. "Father's delight: New 'Lullaby' piano CD combines musicians' love of music and family." Deseret News, 20 June 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2009.

External links