Jonny Salud

Jonny Salud was born and raised in the sleepy goings-on of Lake Wales, Florida. The son of first-generation Filipino immigrants, Jonny started his musical journey early on with the piano, receiving classical training through much of his childhood. While travelling through Central Florida to compete with his peers in solo and four-hand performance competitions, Jonny’s parents helped cultivate a rich musical vocabulary through exposure to the works of such heavyweights as Gershwin and Chopin. But with two working professionals at the head of the dinner table, it was a member of the extended family that planted the seeds of what defines Jonny’s musical identity today. With this pseudo-surrogate mother figure, he was immersed in the power of the gospel through song. “All around me were these melodies. It was coming through the stereo. It was coming through the way she spoke. Even when she would hum, it would be the simplest melody, but good God, it would rattle all through my little baby bones.”

And these melodies would continue to reverberate--albeit deep beneath the surface--as Jonny continued to grow both musically and in general. Jonny devoured the influences within reach in Central Florida, from bluegrass to jam bands to Christian rock. This broad intersection of genres laid the foundation for a level of musicianship fueled by child-like curiosity. What better place, then, to test his merits as a musician/guitarist/singer than in the birthplace of the purest American art form…New Orleans.

In the Crescent City, the early seeds of gospel from Jonny’s childhood began to bloom and evolved into a style steeped in soul. “It’s an odd thing, how I turned out as a musician. No, I didn’t grow up directly exposed to gospel music through the church. But whatever moved cats like (Curtis) Mayfield and Sam Cooke in terms of melody and emotion through their experiences in the church, moved me just the same.” As his knowledge of jazz grew alongside his passion for funk and soul, songs began to emerge with a newfound maturity and focus. Jonny got his hands dirty in the city’s live music scene as well, opening for Rebirth Brass Band and Groovesect at world-famous venues such as Tipitina’s and The Maple Leaf Bar. A chance encounter between Jonny’s parents and Grammy Award-winning producer Kirk Yano then served as the impetus to bring the work of this budding songwriter and performer to the masses.

With Mr. Yano producing (and serving as in-house music/sound/guitar guru), Jonny’s solo debut album features an all-star cast of players, all of whom Jonny praises as his musical heroes (and now mentors). Neal Evans (bass keys, Hammond organ, synth) and Alan Evans (drums) from Soulive contribute, as does Adam Deitch (drums) who has performed with the likes of Wyclef Jean, John Scofield, and Matisyahu, among others. What results are ten well-crafted songs that reflect a common musical vision fully invested in incorporating sounds from past and present to carry on the legacies of acts like Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, The Funk Brothers, and Johnny “Guitar” Watson. The independently released album is close to completion and will be available in a variety of audio formats.