Jon Schmidt

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Jon Schmidt bigraphy, stories - American pianist

Jon Schmidt : biography

9 July 1966 –

Jon Schmidt (born 1966) is an American pianist currently residing in Bountiful, Utah. He describes his style as "New Age Classical." He was born to German immigrants who acquainted him with the works of such composers as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. He began songwriting at age 11. To date, he has released eight albums and seven piano books containing transcriptions of original arrangements.

He currently works with Steven Sharp Nelson on a project called The Piano Guys, which has proved quite popular.

His work is often described as New Age music with pop elements of hook and melody. His works were also featured on sample discs for the Iomega Hipzip Digital Audio Player with the pieces "Sacred Ground", "All of Me", and "Waterfall". His influences include Mannheim Steamroller, Billy Joel, and Beethoven.

Discography

"The Piano Guys", 2012

  1. Titanium Pavane
  2. Peponi (Paradise)
  3. Code Name Vivaldi
  4. Beethoven’s 5 Secrets
  5. Over the Rainbow Simple Gifts
  6. Cello Wars (unedited)
  7. Arwen’s Vigil
  8. Moonlight
  9. A Thousand Years
  10. Michael Meets Mozart
  11. The Cello Song
  12. Rolling in the Deep
  13. What Makes You Beautiful

"Hits Volume 1", 2011

  1. Michael Meets Mozart
  2. Moonlight
  3. Without You
  4. The Cello Song
  5. Rolling in the Deep
  6. Cello Wars (Radio Edit)
  7. O Fortuna
  8. Bring Him Home
  9. Charlie Brown Medley
  10. Rock Meets Rachmaninoff
  11. All of Me

"Hits Volume 1 Limited Edition", 2011

  1. Michael Meets Mozart
  2. Moonlight
  3. Without You
  4. The Cello Song
  5. Rolling in the Deep
  6. Cello Wars (Radio Edit)
  7. O Fortuna
  8. Bring Him Home
  9. Charlie Brown Medley
  10. Rock Meets Rachmaninoff
  11. All of Me
  12. More Than Words
  13. Twinkle Lullaby

"Bonus Tracks", 2009, JS Productions

Hymns Without Words, 2006, JS Productions

  1. For the Beauty of the Earth
  2. Renaissance Hymn (Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise / Saints Behold How Great Jehovah)
  3. Baptism Hymn
  4. A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
  5. Our Savior’s Love
  6. Onward Christian Soldiers
  7. Hymn of Nature (All Creatures of Our God and King)
  8. Funeral Hymn (Jesus the Very Thought / Tribute)
  9. That Easter Morn
  10. O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown
  11. Behold the Wounds in Jesus’ Hands

Winter Serenade, 2004, JS Productions

  1. In The Bleak Midwinter
  2. Pachelbel meets U2
  3. North Pole Express (Ding Dong Merrily On High)
  4. Wexford Carol
  5. Still, Still, Still
  6. First Run
  7. Winter Serenade (Sussex Carol)
  8. Deep Winter (Prelude in B-flat minor)
  9. Last Lullaby (Thomas’ Song)
  10. I Will

To The Summit, 2000, JS Productions

  1. Prelude (My Little Girl)
  2. Rush Hour on the Escalante
  3. To the Summit
  4. Night Song
  5. Game Day (Highland Games)
  6. Air on the "F" String
  7. Our Song
  8. I Do
  9. Can’t Help Falling in Love
  10. Sacred Ground

Jon Schmidt Christmas, 1997, Shadow Mountain

  1. Were you There?
  2. Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella
  3. Christmas Medley
  4. Stars Were Gleaming
  5. I Saw Three Ships
  6. Star Carol
  7. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
  8. Christmas Morning
  9. Süsser de Glocken
  10. Christmas Hymn
  11. Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming
  12. Behold and See
  13. Gaelic Blessing
  14. Silent Night

Day in the Sunset, 1994, Aubergine Records

  1. By Moonlight
  2. Soaring
  3. Morning Light
  4. Care Free
  5. Going Home
  6. Solace
  7. Christopher’s Song
  8. Longing
  9. Second Variation
  10. Big Sky Sunset

Walk in the Woods, 1993, Aubergine Records

  1. Good Times (Class Of ’84)
  2. Waterfall
  3. Passages
  4. Winter Wind
  5. Walk In The Woods
  6. Hymn of Spring
  7. Bells of Freedom
  8. Good Day
  9. Tribute (Rose-Anne’s Song)
  10. Cherished Moments

August End, 1991, Aubergine Records

  1. Heart of a Child
  2. Homecoming
  3. Nativity
  4. First Love
  5. Ridin’ West
  6. August End
  7. Piece Of The Storm
  8. All Of Me
  9. Song Of The Ocean
  10. Bedtime Story

Singles

  • – Jon Live in Concert in 2000
  • Three songs in 2003 Piano Portraits album by Jon Schmidt, Paul Cardall, David Tolk and Michael R. Hicks:
    • 1. My Little Girl
    • 7. The Fishing Stream
    • 11. Morning Light
  • Two songs in 2006 Sacred Cello album by Steven Sharp Nelson:
    • 3. Clair De Lune – composed by Claude Debussy
    • 8. Rhapsody on the theme of Paganini – composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff, arranged by Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson
  • One song in 2008 Tender Mercies album by Steven Sharp Nelson:
    • 8. New World

Personal life

Schmidt is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.LDS Church News, January 8th, 2005 One of his CDs is a collection of hymns without words. Schmidt has also worked with Peter Breinholt in producing music for Especially for Youth.

Schmidt and his wife Michelle have five children.Wadley, Carmen. Deseret News, 20 June 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2009.