Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead

Jonathan Barber – Drums

Matt Knoegel – Tenor Saxophone

Tony Davis – Guitar

Cameron Campbell – Piano 

Matt Dwonszyk – Bass

International Recorded artist, composer, educator and bandleader Jonathan Barber was voted the #1 Up-and-Coming Drummer of 2018 in Modern Drummer. Barber has already recorded and toured worldwide with such artists as Pat Metheny, Terence Blanchard, Christain McBride, Erykah Badu, Nicholas Payton, Buster Williams, Jimmy Greene, Jeremy Pelt, Wallace Roney, Kenny Barron, Terrace Martin, Gretchen Parlato, Jennifer Holiday, Steve Davis, J.D. Allen, Walter Smith III,  and many more.

In addition to his first-call status as a sideman, Barber has stepped forth as a composer and leader with his band Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead. Even with Barber’s history of high-profile gigs and recordings taken into consideration, DownBeat magazine gave his latest album “Legacy Holder” 4.5 stars. Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead is a powerful declaration of intent for a band that’s been making waves on the modern jazz scene. Barber’s blend of classic, swinging jazz with elements of gospel, rock, soul, and fusion is a compelling showcase of Barber’s broad stylistic range as a drummer, performer and composer. Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead was featured and headline the Rainy Days Jazz Festival held in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia, Hartford Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Pittsburgh Jazz Festival as well jazz venues around the world. Since 2020, Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead have been completed three National tours across the United States.

Being an independent artist Jonathan Barber has released 5 albums with Vision Ahead: Vision Ahead (2018), Legacy Holder (2020), Live at Jazz Standard (which is exclusively on Bandcamp, 2020), Poetic (2022) and In Motion (2024).

Gearing up for their new album release “In Motion” Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead will embark upon their first International Tour performing at Musig Im Pflegidach (Muri, Switzerland), Ronnie Scott’s (London, U.K.) and Duc Des Lombards (Paris, France).

Stepping into the role as a Drum Clinician, Barber toured as solo clinician in Latin America and China Barber and has been featured artist at PASIC convention.
Barber endorses Ludwig Drums, Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Promark Drumsticks and Sunhouse Percussion. Barber recently has been appointed as Jazz Drum Professor at the University of Connecticut.

“I recognize my God given gift. Maximizing this gift to its full potential is the best thing you can do for yourself. Operating in this gift is how you give back to the world.”