International piano-playing phenomenon Jon England has been giving enthusiastic
audiences what they want since 1979 when, at the relatively young age of 19,
he wowed night-club goers in his native Great Britain with sparkling and unique
renditions of everything from “New York, New York” to Gershwin’s “Rhapsody
In Blue”. Early TV spots and seasons in London’s ‘West End’ amplified
his national exposure and now Ragtime and Jazz classics punctuate a diverse
spread of repertoire with his shows as likely to contain Hoagy Carmichael’s “Star
Dust” as it is “The Wind Beneath My Wings," just look at the
55 evergreen titles featured on Jon's two new releases "The
Entertainer" and "At
Your Request" to get an idea of the palette from which he paints his
musical pictures!
A remarkably phonographic memory for melody allied to an unerring sense of mood rapidly built Jon’s reputation for pleasing fans and, upon learning he has had NO formal training and remains to this day unable to read a note of music, has left people flabbergasted at his pristine yet relaxed technique. He understandably enjoys the audience-bestowed sub-title … “The Velvet Piano Player” – you’ll get the message the first time you hear him. As if that’s not enough, ALL the instruments, arrangements, orchestrations and producer-credits on all of his recordings and live shows go to Jon … he does it all! . . . just watch "Royally Entertained", Jon's brand new music video.
Musically touching lives around the globe, Jon has performed his “Piano Orchestral Pops Show” (or P.O.P.S. for short) in Theaters, Night-Clubs, Concert venues and on Television and Radio as well as hopping aboard some of the world’s most exclusive and luxurious cruise liners from time to time. His first sea-borne break came in the early 1980’s when asked to play aboard Cunard’s fabled Queen Elizabeth II since when he has headlined alongside Vic Damone, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Bill Cosby, Al Jarreau, Kenny Burrell and many other ‘names’ on repeat trips around the world. International relations have led to the creation of a U.S.A.-oriented twin album of Jon’s music entitled “Velvet Piano – Volume 1 and Volume 2” combining both live and studio/orchestral renditions of many classic melodies.
Theater and Concert appearances have filled Jon’s schedule since the early days yet his Radio broadcast connections eventually led to a unique partnership with the revered B.B.C. (British Broadcasting Corporation!) in the late 90’s. Reprising and re-designing an idea born in the 1950’s – Jon invited listeners to call-in requests live on-air, for him to play. These shows received an overwelming response and many of the all-time classics receive a fresh outing on Jon's brand-new-for-2007 release "Star Dust/Love Story".
Of Jon England's first ever solo Christmas recording, featuring classics "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", "Silent Night" and "White Christmas", Hugh Caswell, President of Azurre Records writes "The luxurious sound of Jon England's unique "Velvet Piano" touch render this collection of 18 timeless Holiday classics a joy to encounter time and again.
Whether by a Winter fireside or in the company of friends and loved ones, this beautiful music has rarely been presented in such fine style and the comforting, elegant image of a convivial gathering around a gleaming Grand Piano with snowflakes falling outside floats instantly to mind from the very first notes that spill effortlessly from the fingers of this master of the keyboard. "It's Christmas, with Jon England" is sure to become a recording you will play over and over again, stylishly enhancing all your Holiday moods."
Living the Legend - King of the Keyboard 2007-2008
Always an afficionado of Liberace's performing style and remarkably varied pianistic skill, Jon was this year invited to participate in the International Piano Competition bearing his name in Las Vegas. On Sunday September 16th, Jon took the coveted "Showmanship Professional" prize title in a packed field of contestants from all corners of the globe. 
Lavishly filling his alloted five-minute showcase, Jon played "Blue Danube Waltz" (a Liberace creation, care-of Johann Strauss!), a Chopin interlude, "New York, New York", "Nola", "Lara's Theme" from the movie 'Dr. Zhivago', "As Time Goes By" from the movie 'Casablanca', George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" and "Tea For Two".
Receiving his Liberace-inspired piano-shaped crystaline inscribed trophy from the Liberace Foundation President in front of a packed and rapturous audience, Jon was congratulated on his dazzling, flawless and unique tribute to the finest pop-pianist to have ruled the keyboard in Las Vegas and around the world. You'll see from the photograph here, that the hand-made, rhinestone-encrusted stage-costume might have had something of a hand in the judges decision too!
ABC-TV (among others) covered the story with an in-home biography - watch the video here.
