Jon Schmidt

Jon Schmidt
Born July 9, 1966
Origin United States Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Genres New-age, pop
Occupation(s) 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
Notable instruments
The Piano

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 gained fame via the internet.

His work is often described as New Age music with pop elements of hook and melody. 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". His influences include Mannheim Steamroller, Billy Joel, and Beethoven.

Personal life

Jon Schmidt was born to German Immigrant parents, and received an early education in music. Schmidt began composing as early as age 11, and began giving lessons soon thereafter, and began a successful solo career in his early twenties.

Because he was concerned that he would not be able to have a successful career in music, in college Schmidt studied English with plans to get an MBA. However, he abandoned these plans after a successful concert.

Schmidt is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[1][2][3][4] One of his CDs is a collection of hymns without words.[5] Schmidt has also worked with Peter Breinholt in producing music for Especially for Youth.[6]

Schmidt and his wife Michelle have five children.[7]

Discography

"The Piano Guys", 2012

  1. Titanium Pavane
  2. Peponi (Paradise)
  3. Code Name Vivaldi
  4. Beethoven's 5 Secrets
  5. Over the Rainbow Simple Gifts
  6. Cello Wars (unedited)
  7. Arwen's Vigil
  8. Moonlight
  9. A Thousand Years
  10. Michael Meets Mozart
  11. The Cello Song
  12. Rolling in the Deep
  13. What Makes You Beautiful

"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. ↑ Jon Schmidt - LDS Musician
  2. ↑ LDS musician Jon Schmidt takes over the Tabernacle | Scroll
  3. ↑ John Schmidt Performs Benefit Concert - Topix
  4. ↑ Church News, January 8, 2005.
  5. ↑ DeseretBook.com - Jon Schmidt
  6. ↑ Forward With Faith Especially for Youth 2000 CD - BYU Bookstore
  7. ↑ 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