Jonathan Heagle

Guitarist Jonathan Heagle has played in just about every kind of band one could name, from jazz combos to honky-tonks, rock concert stages to the circus. Originally hailing from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Jonathan’s first forays with the guitar were inspired by rock musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck. He soon became interested in jazz, after hearing musicians such as Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, as well as guitarists Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt and George Benson. Jonathan’s burgeoning interest in music led him to studies in college, first at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and then at Indiana University, where he played in the big band of David Baker, one of the leading lights of jazz education. After graduating from IU, Jonathan moved to Brooklyn and began gigging around New York, playing jazz with noted musicians such as Geoffrey Keezer, Greg Osby, Sam Newsome, Lonnie Plaxico, James Genus, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith, among others. Jonathan has also, in recent years, acted as guitarist, co-songwriter, arranger, musical director and producer for the neo-soul/family music band Shine and The Moonbeams, whose music has been featured on National Public Radio, garnered a GRAMMY nomination in 2022, and which has performed at many notable venues, including Central Park SummerStage, the Smithsonian Museum, the Getty Museum, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.

Jonathan’s versatility with musical styles has carried over to his teaching, with over ten years of teaching experience, both privately and in classrooms. He has taught students of all ages, from 6 to 60, and in styles ranging from rock/pop to jazz to classical to country to blues. In private one-on-one lessons, Jonathan strikes a balance of helping the student learn the music that they enjoy, while also helping the student to develop fundamentals of musicianship, such as music reading, instrumental technique, and learning the basics of music theory.