Meet Jon Steele Bass

In the early days, it was curiosity of harmony and love of rhythm that inspired Jon to listen to any music available. Growing up in different parts of the Southeast U.S. meant getting in where you fit in. Jon found himself in the garage band, school orchestra and jazz bands with various high schools in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. 

These were formative years as a player and for taste in music, having worked with all kinds of styles and musicians. There were lots jazz gigs for a small town like Knoxville and regional symphonies too. In this part of the country you'll hear bluegrass and string music, but also steel pan, blues and jam bands. 

For a while, Jon toured with a big band through New England  went back to the south on the college circuit with a popular jam band. He also began teaching at local colleges after finishing a degree the University of Tennessee.

After a brief time in Los Angeles, he found himself in Washington D.C. in 2005. Jon found himself busy with straight-ahead jazz, world music, R&B, pop and funk with players coming  from Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Europe, West Africa, the Middle East and other parts of the world. 

In 2023,  life took Jon unexpectedly to the Midwest.  Jazz is popular there, but  rock, blues, country are very popular. Not knowing much country, Jon decided that Nashville was the place to go. He moved to Nashville in early 2025 with the hopes of making some contacts. It was both familiar and strange, reminiscent of the old days. Things were busy on Lower Broadway with regular gigs.

Life has brought him back to St. Louis as a home base where's started to work with more musicians on the the scene. Some touring is scheduled for 2026.