Jonathan Foster
Redding, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | INDIE
Music
Press
November 26, 2013
by Todd Moe, in Canton, NY
"You can take a musician out of the Adirondacks, but somewhere in the music there's still a link back home. California singer-songwriter Jonathan Foster released his debut studio album, Sabbatical, earlier this year."
Read and hear the entire interview here:
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/23333/20131126/new-music-jonathan-foster-s-sabbatical - North Country Public Radio
November 26, 2013
by Todd Moe, in Canton, NY
"You can take a musician out of the Adirondacks, but somewhere in the music there's still a link back home. California singer-songwriter Jonathan Foster released his debut studio album, Sabbatical, earlier this year."
Read and hear the entire interview here:
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/23333/20131126/new-music-jonathan-foster-s-sabbatical - North Country Public Radio
Singer-songwriter Jonathan Foster releases his debut studio album, Sabbatical, the monthly song-writing and
recording project that quickly turned into a full length record, in July 2013, with an adjoining solo road trip
tour. The album combines reflected changes in Foster’s own life and music (Kingsnake, Peaks & Valleys,
Sabbatical) and pays tribute to songwriter Sam Bragdon (1943-1983) in the fictional account ‘Sam’ and
includes two of Bragdon’s songs, Box of Ribbons & Too Much Love (Much Too Late). Bragdon spent years
playing music in the U.S., including Foster’s hometown of Cranberry Lake, NY. This marks Foster’s third
recording collaboration with guitarist Ron Gillette, while many other NorCal musicians contributed magic to the
record, including several from Redding, CA’s Jim Dyar Band (JimDyarBand.com), all giving Sabbatical a
tremendous feel and sound. CD, mp3’s and streaming will be available via internet outlets including CD Baby.
Jonathan Foster – vocals, rhythm guitars, shakers
Ron Gillette – lead guitars
Morgan Hannaford – upright bass
Tracy Manuel – percussion (tracymanuel.com)
Torri Pratt – vocals on “Wrap Your Arms”
Martha Boyle – fiddle on “Box of Ribbons”
Mark McAbee – vocals on “Let It Show”
The Purple Rain Choir – Tracy Manuel, Torri Pratt, and Jim Dyar on “Box of Ribbons”
Recorded, Mixed & Mastering by Bruce Turgon at After Hours Recorders, Redding, CA
Information, Lyrics & Booking: JFMusic.net or fostidae@yahoo.com
Album paintings and CD by Sean Randall (facebook.com/ArtBySeanRandall) Layout and Graphics by Jake Boula
Summer 2013 Sabbatical Road Trip Solo Tour:
JULY 17 – Bozeman, MT @ the FILLING STATION ~ 8pm
JULY 20 – Ogden, UT @ ROVALI’S ~ 7pm
JULY 23 – Chicago, IL @ ELBO ROOM ACOUSTIC LOUNGE ~ 8pm
JULY 26 – Cranberry Lake, NY @ WINDFALL BAR & GRILL ~ 9pm (CD Release Party)
JULY 27 – Tupper Lake, NY @ P-2’S PUB ~ 5pm
AUG 1 – Cranberry Lake, NY @ WINDFALL BAR & GRILL ~ 8pm
AUG 8 – St. Louis, MO @ YE OLE HAUNT ~ 8pm
AUG 10 – Pueblo, CO @ the DOWNTOWN BAR ~ 9pm
AUG 15 – Virginia City, NV @ PONDEROSA SALOON ~ 3pm
AUG 16 – Redding, CA @ KELLY’S PUB & WINE BAR ~ 8pm - Shea B Lab Records
Singer-songwriter Jonathan Foster releases his debut studio album, Sabbatical, the monthly song-writing and
recording project that quickly turned into a full length record, in July 2013, with an adjoining solo road trip
tour. The album combines reflected changes in Foster’s own life and music (Kingsnake, Peaks & Valleys,
Sabbatical) and pays tribute to songwriter Sam Bragdon (1943-1983) in the fictional account ‘Sam’ and
includes two of Bragdon’s songs, Box of Ribbons & Too Much Love (Much Too Late). Bragdon spent years
playing music in the U.S., including Foster’s hometown of Cranberry Lake, NY. This marks Foster’s third
recording collaboration with guitarist Ron Gillette, while many other NorCal musicians contributed magic to the
record, including several from Redding, CA’s Jim Dyar Band (JimDyarBand.com), all giving Sabbatical a
tremendous feel and sound. CD, mp3’s and streaming will be available via internet outlets including CD Baby.
Jonathan Foster – vocals, rhythm guitars, shakers
Ron Gillette – lead guitars
Morgan Hannaford – upright bass
Tracy Manuel – percussion (tracymanuel.com)
Torri Pratt – vocals on “Wrap Your Arms”
Martha Boyle – fiddle on “Box of Ribbons”
Mark McAbee – vocals on “Let It Show”
The Purple Rain Choir – Tracy Manuel, Torri Pratt, and Jim Dyar on “Box of Ribbons”
Recorded, Mixed & Mastering by Bruce Turgon at After Hours Recorders, Redding, CA
Information, Lyrics & Booking: JFMusic.net or fostidae@yahoo.com
Album paintings and CD by Sean Randall (facebook.com/ArtBySeanRandall) Layout and Graphics by Jake Boula
Summer 2013 Sabbatical Road Trip Solo Tour:
JULY 17 – Bozeman, MT @ the FILLING STATION ~ 8pm
JULY 20 – Ogden, UT @ ROVALI’S ~ 7pm
JULY 23 – Chicago, IL @ ELBO ROOM ACOUSTIC LOUNGE ~ 8pm
JULY 26 – Cranberry Lake, NY @ WINDFALL BAR & GRILL ~ 9pm (CD Release Party)
JULY 27 – Tupper Lake, NY @ P-2’S PUB ~ 5pm
AUG 1 – Cranberry Lake, NY @ WINDFALL BAR & GRILL ~ 8pm
AUG 8 – St. Louis, MO @ YE OLE HAUNT ~ 8pm
AUG 10 – Pueblo, CO @ the DOWNTOWN BAR ~ 9pm
AUG 15 – Virginia City, NV @ PONDEROSA SALOON ~ 3pm
AUG 16 – Redding, CA @ KELLY’S PUB & WINE BAR ~ 8pm - Shea B Lab Records
Jonathan Foster – Sabbatical (Shea B Lab Records)
California based singer-songwriter Jonathan Foster mixes up folk, acoustic blues, country-rock and gritty lyricism to excellent effect on his new long-player, “Sabbatical”.
The result of a monthly songwriting and recording project, “Sabbatical” accidentally morphed into an album – his first studio effort - and collects a group of songs that reflect the changes happening in his life during the period in question - while simultaneously paying tribute to fellow songwriter Sam Bragdon.
Bragdon died in 1983, and on “Sam” Foster imagines a series of scenarios, which are fictional, but roll along beautifully. He also covers a couple of Bragdon’s songs, namely “Box of Ribbons” and “Too Much Love (Much Too Late)”. Both are chock full of clever wordplay, vivid imagery – the former, especially – and contain rich melodies and hooks aplenty. Why haven’t I heard of him before?
Fortunately, Foster’s songs are just as interesting with an emphasis of deft wordplay and tunes that dig deep. He begins with the dramatic “Kingsnake”, where a shadowy aura dominates the mood, and brings to mind Joe Henry’s early records. “Sevens” is muscular and vital, and delivered with real power – both the music and words – and “Peaks & Valleys” is a road song that’s touching and uplifting, with a gentle heart.
Guitarist Ron Gillette provides sterling support throughout the ten tracks, adding depth and momentum, and the full-blooded production does much to bring Foster’s artistic vision to fruition. - Leicester Bangs
Jonathan Foster – Sabbatical (Shea B Lab Records)
California based singer-songwriter Jonathan Foster mixes up folk, acoustic blues, country-rock and gritty lyricism to excellent effect on his new long-player, “Sabbatical”.
The result of a monthly songwriting and recording project, “Sabbatical” accidentally morphed into an album – his first studio effort - and collects a group of songs that reflect the changes happening in his life during the period in question - while simultaneously paying tribute to fellow songwriter Sam Bragdon.
Bragdon died in 1983, and on “Sam” Foster imagines a series of scenarios, which are fictional, but roll along beautifully. He also covers a couple of Bragdon’s songs, namely “Box of Ribbons” and “Too Much Love (Much Too Late)”. Both are chock full of clever wordplay, vivid imagery – the former, especially – and contain rich melodies and hooks aplenty. Why haven’t I heard of him before?
Fortunately, Foster’s songs are just as interesting with an emphasis of deft wordplay and tunes that dig deep. He begins with the dramatic “Kingsnake”, where a shadowy aura dominates the mood, and brings to mind Joe Henry’s early records. “Sevens” is muscular and vital, and delivered with real power – both the music and words – and “Peaks & Valleys” is a road song that’s touching and uplifting, with a gentle heart.
Guitarist Ron Gillette provides sterling support throughout the ten tracks, adding depth and momentum, and the full-blooded production does much to bring Foster’s artistic vision to fruition. - Leicester Bangs
Discography
Wildlife (2019) 10 songs
Green Eyed Bird (2017) `12 songs
American Highway Live (2016) 18 songs
Help Me Run (2015) 13 songs
Sabbatical (2013) 10 songs
All lyrics at www.JFMusic.net
Photos
Bio
Forging his own American dream, Jonathan Foster brings a roots blend of Folk-Americana music as a recording and performing artist. He is known for his soulful vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica, passionate delivery, off the beaten path introspective lyrics, and yearly tours. In 2020, he will be on the road for the Songs & Stories 2020 U.S. tour spanning New York to California. July 2019, marked the release of his 4th studio album Wildlife (Miracle Mile Records/After Hours Recorders) . Recorded, mixed, mastered, and bass guitar by Bruce Turgon (Foreigner, Lou Gramm, Black Sheep) and joined by Morgan Hannaford on pedal steel guitar and dobro, featuring special guest Scott Joss (Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam) on fiddle, and includes ear worm songs Louise, California Golden, and a rollicking cover of Bob Dylan's Girl from the North Country. Jonathan revels in engaging listeners with his tunes both solo and occasionally with a band. He has spent much of his life travelling, songwriting, and touring small venues across the U.S. for the past 8 years and has played in nearly all of the lower 48. With his roots growing up in Cranberry Lake, New York to the nearly past 20 years in Northern California, you'll hear traces of his rural upbringing and geographic meanderings in his music with songwriter inspiration from John Prine, John Hiatt, Bob Dylan, James McMurtry, Todd Snider, Townes Van Zandt, Hayes Carll, Gillian Welch, Jason Isbell, Steve Earle, Neil Young, Natalie Merchant, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and Warren Zevon.
Past performances include The Shrine (NYC), Purple Fiddle (WV), Vintage (CA), Radio Bean (VT), Russell Theater (NY), Uncommon Ground (CHI), Evangeline's (StL), Filling Station (MT), Axe & Fiddle (OR), The Alibi (WY), Black Dog (WA), Laughing Goat (CO), Redding Roots Revival Music Festival (CA). Past supporting act for the Deadstring Brothers, The Same Chase, Rita Hosking, Dead Winter Carpenters, Banditos, Von Stomper, the Brothers Reed, Jack Grace, Craig Chaquico, and Scott Joss.
Awards: 2016 After Five Magazine Songwriting Contest winner "Reclamation Town"
Member: The Americana Music Association, Folk Alliance International, and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)
Band Members
Links
