Jonathan Baptiste is a bassist/composer, and native of Orlando, Florida. Raised in church, his roots are predominantly in Gospel. Academically, Jonathan was the recipient of a number of great honors including the Marie Ann Golden and the Polk County Cultural Arts Scholarships (Polk State Colllege), American Music Scholarship and Weinstein Memorial Scholarship in Leadership, Most Outstanding Musician of the Year award (University of North Florida), and 2018 Northeast Florida Jazz Association Jazz Scholarship, and the Future of Jazz Recipient (2017,2019). Outside of school, he is has been an educator within various programs in the inner city. He is also a freelance musician and composer, having played with the some of the best artists in the game today. Jonathan has also played with his band, The Urban Intellectuals at the 2018 Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Jonathan strongly believes that music is God’s gift to the world and strives to become a panacea for the weary soul; helping and healing people through this ministry.

 

 

 

Notable Artists that Jonathan has had the honor of performing with:

 

Matthew Morrison, Tivon Pennicott, Sofija Knezevic, Chantae Cann, Marcus Printup, Nat Adderley, Jr., Jon Irabagon, Charenee Wade, Patrick Bartley, Jamison Ross, Fred Wesley, Alyson Williams.

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Television/Film Appearances:

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The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration 2019- (as self) Bassist for Matthew Morrison

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The Underground Railroad  (2021)- Orchestral Bassist

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Honors/Awards:

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Beyond Music Composition Winner: 2020 and 2021

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