Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Jonah Parzen-Johnson was surrounded by the rich traditions 0f the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) and South Side Jazz community. At age eighteen, Jonah moved to New York City to study at New York University. Since moving to New York, Jonah has performed Nationally and internationally with ensembles including Reed’s Bass Drum, The Delirium Blues Project, Zongo Junction, Eyal Vilner Big Band, Valery Ponomorav Big Band, and the NYU Jazz Orchestra.
Reed’s Bass Drum, fronted by baritone player Jonah Parzen-Johnson, begins to carve out an original concept on its new disc, Which Is Which. - TimeOut New York
“Jonah Parzen–Johnson played with irresistible verve and promise.” - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
“A Surprisingly mature voice, Jonah is a seriously musical cat who is very comfortable in his own skin and is already making some great music.” - Kenny Werner