Jon Regen

Jon Regen began his career as a sideman to jazz artists like Kyle Eastwood and Little Jimmy Scott. A protégé of the legendary pianist Kenny Barron, Regen released a series of acclaimed jazz recordings (From Left to Right, Live at the Blue Note and Tel Aviv), before making a left turn into singer/songwriter territory. Nearly overnight, Regen was heralded as an important new songsmith and performer, with praise from both listeners and critics alike on albums like Almost Home (2004), Let It Go (2007), and Revolution (2011). Regen also hit Number One on the Billboard Charts with his instrumental album Change Your Mind in 2013. His run of acclaimed releases continued in 2015 with Stop Time, which featured members of Elvis Costello’s Imposters, and in 2019 with Higher Ground, which included guest appearances by icons like Andy Summers of The Police, Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Chuck Leavell of The Rolling Stones and Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran. Higher Ground won praise from media outlets like Rolling Stone, Billboard, Parade, Allmusic and others, and the Oakland Press named it "Album of the Week." 

The Associated Press said of Regen, “His sturdy songs, pleasing tenor and seven-foot grand are a captivating combination.” The Wall Street Journal called Regen “a confident, soulful singer,” and DownBeat said “Regen’s music shoots from - and directly into - the heart.” The Philadelphia Inquirer said, “The piano man has always exuded an impeccable stylishness, a blend of earthiness and sophistication that recalls such fellow masters of the 88s as Allen Toussaint and Bruce Hornsby.” Bruce Hornsby himself also chimed-in, saying “Regen has a rare combination of elements - virtuosic playing ability, soulful singing, and a strong songwriting talent, all developing more and more as he grows and grows as an artist through the years. Give him a freaking listen!” 

Regen’s new album Satisfied Mind was released July 11, 2023. Produced by Jamiroquai keyboardist Matt Johnson, the genre-bending recording features legends like Ron Carter, Rob Thomas and Pino Palladino, plus Dave McMurray, Larry Goldings, Tim Lefebvre, Jeremy Stacey and many others. It quickly won praise from critics and listeners alike. Famed UK musician and presenterJamie Cullum premiered the title track on his BBC Radio 2 show, Jazz FM made it their Album of the Week and The Telegraph gave it Four Stars, saying “Imagine walking into a shady New York bar out of the sweltering summer heat to find a young Billy Joel singing Bill Withers songs… you are witnessing virtuosos at the height of their powers. Regen has reason to be satisfied.” 

Jon Regen is the Entertainment Director for GrandLife Hotels and the former Editor of Keyboard Magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Billboard, Variety, and other media outlets. He also produced and hosted nearly 100 episodes of his acclaimed radio show “New York Notes” on JazzRadio Berlin, and was featured in the Emmy Award-winning Amazon series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”