Explorative • Expressive • Transcultural • Texture-Driven
Guitarist, composer, and producer Jon Durant is one of the world’s most distinguished proponents of creative, transcultural jazz. With his impressive legacy of collaborative work and highly acclaimed, genre-defying albums, Durant is “one of the reigning masters of what might be called ‘infinitely manipulated atmospheric guitar effects’… [He] sets a standard to be defined by… [with] brilliance and vision.” (All Music) Combining a nuanced and emotive fretless playing style with expert and explorative use of effects, “Durant is a true guitar master… in the spirit of genius Euro guitar heroes.” (Music Web Express 3000)
Integrating aspects of jazz, ambient music, and progressive rock with the thoughtful and organic use of ethnically sourced material, Durant creates music that’s deeply expressive and remains rooted in lush, multi-textured melody. His signature “guitar clouds” undulate and overlap to create compelling textural soundscapes and poignant atmospheric moods over which he brings directionality and movement with enticing riffs and beautiful solos. With an extensive discography that includes eleven solo albums, Durant has “delivered pristine music year after year… effortless and sure.” (Art Rockin)
Sought out for his uniquely American aesthetic in a predominantly European style, Durant is a go-to collaborator for multi-genre, improvised music of the highest quality. His signature, texture-driven style has attracted some of the most talented and innovative musicians in the field. In partnership with renowned bassist Colin Edwin, Durant has formed the duo Burnt Belief, releasing four albums and creating “elegant, sophisticated music of multiple genres… [that] evolves toward the best of many worlds and still sounds like nobody else… a sonic paradise of the uppermost quality.” (Prog Archives) Durant is also a member of the celebrated Fractal Sextet, with guitarist / composer Stephan Thelen, pianist Fabio Anile, Colin Edwin, and drummers Yogev Gabay and Andi Pupato. Of their debut, All About Jazz commented, “Durant's guitar is a near-perfect stylistic counter…. he is one of the precious few practitioners on the instrument that elevate it beyond its usual presence.” Their second album, “A Sky Full Of Hope,” is due in 2024. Additional collaborator include keyboardist / composer Michael Whalen, drummer Vinny Sabatino, bassist Tony Levin, musician and software designer Peter Chilvers, guitarist/composer Robert Jürjendal, trumpeter / composer Aleksei Saks, singer Inna Kovtun, percussionist Jerry Leake, and violinst Caryn Lin.
Durant splits his time between Boston and Portland, Oregon, and frequently travels to Europe for musical projects. He is the founder and producer of Alchemy Records and is passionate about connecting educational programs with immigrants’ knowledge of world music styles.