Jonathan Fagan

Jonathan Adam Fagan (b. 1992) is rapidly becoming a vibrant force within Boston’s music community as a prolific jazz pianist, composer, accompanist, and educator. Heavily inspired by twentieth-century classical harmony along with the work of bebop greats, Fagan’s style combines the avant-garde colors of modern jazz icons with a relatable lyricism and light touch. His recordings with saxophonist Erik Van Dam feature highly personal takes on standard tunes, making the duo in-demand at both local clubs and restaurants. Fagan regularly performs as a sideman with local icons including Phil Grenadier, Dan Fox and Mark Pucci while actively pursuing his own projects. After receiving a Downbeat Award for Outstanding Composition in 2017, Fagan remains an active composer and arranger. He has since received grants from the Medford Cultural Council and the Winchester Community Music School, allowing him to produce and perform concerts featuring his own arrangements of everything from movie themes to bebop classics. Fagan’s background in classical piano and vocal accompaniment also makes him versatile and valuable pit pianist, and he has already performed at both North Shore Music Theater and the Boston Opera House for shows like “Jersey Boys,” and “Beautiful: the Carol King Musical.”

Fagan remains a strong advocate for community outreach, as his private students regularly perform at nursing homes in Cambridge and Newton. Fagan resides on the faculty of Concord Academy, the Winchester Community Music School, and Morningside Music Studio, where he coaches adult ensembles and offers masterclasses on a wide range of topics. Fagan presented three clinics at the Panama International Jazz Festival in January 2020, tying together his perspective as a classical pianist, improvisor, and holistic educator.

Fagan received his Masters Degree in Jazz Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music in 2017 and earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in classical and jazz piano performance from Lawrence University Conservatory in Wisconsin (summa cum laude) in 2015. Past teachers and mentors include highly innovative pianist Bill Carrothers, professor and accompanist Harold Danko, the late composer, Fred Sturm, and Boston and New York jazz pianist Kevin Harris.