bassist, composer, arranger, a resident
of Upstate New York for thirteen years, started his career as a jazz bassist
in Montreal. After having worked for several years on the Canadian jazz
scene with the great guitarist Sonny Greewich and saxophonists Steve Grossman and Pat LaBarbara, he then went on to hone his skills in New York City in the mid-80s.
There he met saxophonist Pete Yellin, the Director of Jazz Studies at
Long Island University in Brooklyn, who offered John a full scholarship
to study in the jazz department.
Since moving to the U.S. from Montreal,
John has performed/recorded with Kenny Barron, Bruce Barth, Paul Bley,
Anthony Braxton's Tri-Centric Orchestra, Nick Brignola, Kenny Burrell,
Jay Clayton, Jimmy Cobb, Jack DeJohnette, Al Foster, Slide Hampton, Sheila
Jordan, Lee Konitz, J.R. Monterose, Adam Nussbaum, Pete Yellin and many
others.
John is an integral member of both the Dewey Redman Quartet and the David “Fathead” Newman Quintet. Redman helped change jazz history playing in the avant-garde
groups of Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, and his own Old and New Dreams,
with Don Cherry, Haden, Ed Blackwell and Keith Jarrett. Newman was Ray
Charles’ main tenor man for ten years and his playing is heavily
steeped in blues and R&B. These jazz legends have taken John around
the world, playing at jazz festivals in South Africa, Argentina, Turkey,
Brazil, Europe and the U.S., and have been a major influence in his playing
and compositions.
In
2003 Menegon debuts his CD Search Light. The CD is a selection of his
original compositions and arrangements, and features one of jazz's greatest
living legends, Dewey Redman (sax), along with John Gunther (sax/flute),
Mark Dziuba (guitar), Mark McLean (drums), Tani Tabbal (percussion) and
Teri Roiger (voice). This family of musicians express themselves through
Menegon's music with unabandoned emotion and playfulness. The music is
soulful, passionate and uncompromising.
John is currently involved in teaching bass and jazz workshops at SUNY New
Paltz, Bard College, Williams College in Massachusetts and Bennington
College in Vermont.
Menegon is involved with a cooperative group, New York Trio Project, featuring
drummer Jeff Siegel and guitarist Adam Rafferty. Their debut CD Fifth
House, on the Imaginary record label in Nashville, was recorded and mixed
by Menegon in his home studio. This group has done several European and
U.S. Tours.
John has been collaborating musically with vocalist Teri Roiger for the past
decade. They initially formed a bass and voice duo, which led to the recording
of their highly acclaimed CD Misterioso, featuring legendary jazz greats
Jack DeJohnette and Kenny Burrell. Working with Teri and her Trio gives
John an opportunity to feature his many vocal compositions. This Quartet
tours throughout Europe and the U.S. and features the Paris-based drummer/percussionist
John Betsch and the NYC pianist Pat McKearn.
John’s compositional work has also been used for modern dance, National Geographic
television (Route 66), Nickolodeon and documentaries.
home