JON MAY PLAYS DRUMS

WHO IS JON MAY?

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Raised in New Hampshire, USA, Jon May never expected to be a working teacher and musician in Canada. Jon grew up an avid music lover whose passion for the drums and piano eventually landed him in the Great White North. Completing a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern Maine School of Music. He has played everything from Jazz, Folk, Avant-guard, Rock, Classical, Bee-bop, Country, Funk, R&B, and beyond with such groups as Juno award winner Laila Biali, multiple move award winner Blake Reid, The Mocking Shadows, Juno nominated John Wort Hannam, Break Out West nominated group Sinistrio, The Polyjesters, FUBAR 2 star Terra Hazelton, Canadian icon Ian Tomas, The Calgary philharmonic Orchestra and many, many others. He has toured extensively through the U.S.A., Canada, and Europe. He is a featured artist in the award winning documentary, "No Roads In" and had a lead roll in the 2019 Calgary Stampede Grand Stand Show.

 Jon’s teaching credentials include: 20 plus years of private studio teaching,  St. Ambrose Drums intensive with jazz educator John Riley, The Clinic Line - teaching elementary, middle school and high school Percussion, the University of New Hampshire’s Summer Youth Music School, The Mt. Royal Jazz Camp as well as the Long Lake Camp for  the Arts in New York where he met his wife. After following her back to her home in Canada in 2005, Jon got his start at a local jam, rapidly working his way through the ranks to become one of Western Canada’s top musicians. As a talented composer, teacher, recording artist and player, Jon brings a thoughtfulness to the Canadian music scene, where he bridges a gap between many genres. 

Other experience includes:

National Music Centre- Sound Technician (2018,2019, 2020) 

Clinic Line - percussion clinician for Middle school and High school band programs (2018, 2019, 2020) 

Percussion Teacher - St. Ambrose College Drum Camp with John Riley  

(2019, 2020)

Instructor and Combo Director - Mount Royal Jazz Intensive Camp at Mount Royal University (2016, 2017, 2018)

Artist in Residence - Crossroads Community Preschool (Spring 2014)

Head Sound Tech at Wine-ohs Music Club (2013, 2014)

City Sound Crew for The City Of Calgary (2010-2013)

Mount View Music Festival Sound crew (2007- 2015)

• • Back line Manager 

  • Stage Runner

  • Stage Hand  

Percussion Teacher - Long Lake Camp for the Arts; Long Lake, New York (2005)

Instructor - New Hampshire Summer Youth Music School (2002)