Quickly becoming a fixture in the New York Jazz scene, Jon Beshay has proven himself to be a skilled and versatile instrumentalist, performing with a variety of musicians and ensembles from the WDR Big Band in Cologne to jazz titans Eric Reed and Christian McBride and even with playwright Taylor Mac. Often featured on multiple instruments, his ability to transition between multiple instruments has added to his flexible nature as a performer.

Originally from southeast Michigan, Beshay’s musical interest first manifested itself while hearing musicians from Detroit’s vibrant jazz scene. Detroit would go on to play a pivotal role in shaping his musical style during his early education as an artist. One can hear the driving hard bop style and blues that is quintessential to the Detroit jazz aesthetic.

He has served as musical director for both Winard Harper and Philip Harper, providing arrangements and compositions to both bands that have become lasting contributions to each band’s repertoire. He also served as composer and musical head for the off-Broadway production, (a) Loft Modulation. Written by Jaymes Jorsling and directed by Christopher McElroen, the music added a “vital burst of inspiration” to the production.

Currently residing in Brooklyn, Beshay leads his own band performing original works, with regular appearances as both a leader and sideman at NYC venues including Smalls, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ornithology and Birdland. He is a graduate of Michigan State’s Jazz Studies program and holds a masters degree from Manhattan Schools of Music.