Blues-Rocker Jon Geiger Kicks Off New Year with Shows A Plenty!

(Photo by Krystal Kozak)

Jon Geiger has been called one of SoCal’s hardest-working blues men, and for good reason: the blues-rock guitarist and vocalist is seemingly always gigging.

Geiger kicks off 2023 with performances at some of the Southland’s most popular venues – Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31; Harvelle’s in Santa Monica on Tuesday, January 3; the West LA Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 8; Rock & Brews at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino on Sunday, January 22; and The Venice West in Venice on Sunday, February 12.

In a December 2022 live show review, respected national magazine Music Connection wrote, “Jon Geiger’s songs are well-written, with catchy lyrics and good melodies…’Feeling Good’ is a slow, moody, down ‘n’ dirty blues tune that engaged the music with (Geiger’s) vocals and gave the audience something to sink their teeth into. Geiger topped things off with a well-performed version of Bill Wither’s ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ that received warm, well-deserved applause and had passers-by p[poking their head in to see who was playing. Tunes like ‘Born To The Streets’ and ‘Feeling Good’ are both radio-worthy and pleasing. Jon Geiger is diverse enough to catch the ear of many a blues (as well as jazz) listener.”

Jon Geiger – Some Background

A veteran of the Austin music scene, Geiger grew up in New York and became a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu just to make it home from school safely on the tough streets of Harlem. The deep soul of BB King’s “Live at the Regal” and the ferocious intensity of Eric Clapton’s guitar work were life-changing for Jon. Playing guitar became Jon’s reason for living.

The talent and passion of teen-aged Jon were quickly recognized by jazz greats such as Emily Remler and Hiram Bullock, both whom took him on as a student. Remler even referred to Jon as her ‘protégé.’ His talent and hard work paid off with a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. “John Scofield and Mike Stern (both whom played with Miles Davis) were both as big a part of my path as Emily and Hiram. They would hand me off in some cases from one to the other when they toured,” recalls Geiger. “I studied at their knee in their homes and no one cheered louder when I got my scholarships,” Geiger says.

After completing his studies in Boston, Jon promptly moved to Austin and began working alongside Austin’s numerous great musicians while playing Antone’s and the Texas’ numerous blues haunts. Presently, Jon and band continue their ascent on the Los Angeles music scene, with his unique blend of captivating guitar work, soaring vocals and artful songwriting.