Jon began playing the cornet in the local brass band in Wetherby, Yorkshire, when he was 9 and went on to play in the National Youth Brass Band, the Yorkshire Imperial Metals Band and the York Railway Institute Band. Having switched to the trumpet at the age of 13 he was immediately accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, becoming principal in 1981
He studied at the Royal College of Music under David Mason, performing the Horovitz Trumpet Concerto in his final year with the composer conducting. In his third year at college he was accepted into the CBSO as 3rd Trumpet playing 1st as required and he became section leader in 1987. Since then Jon has played with most British orchestras, including appearances as Guest Principal with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the London Sinfonietta and the Philharmonia and London Philharmonic Orchestras.
Jon has been inspired by the British style of trumpet playing. He has admired the refinement of David Mason and the musical variety of John Wallace and has also found his many years work with Alan Whitehead in the CBSO to be a particular inspiration.
Jon teaches at the Birmingham Conservatoire and in his spare time enjoys golf, walking and good food and wine - which led to his most famous moment on tour (or the most famous he will admit to) when he was being rushed to hospital with food poisoning hours before a concert in Paris. He recovered just in time to play Petruska and hasn't touched mussels since!
He has two children.