2023 Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant recipient
“a creatively inventive songcrafter” – Metronome Magazine
Singer and songwriter Jon Waterman engages audiences with a progressive approach to music that blends of acoustic rock, blues, Americana, and even world music, with the storytelling sensibility of folk music. His songs and performances range from sentiments about love and need to statements about social justice and the human experience while chronicling historical events, fanciful legends, and the passages of everyday life. Jon is a lifetime musician and performs regularly at venues, outdoor markets, special events, and private shows throughout Eastern Massachusetts and beyond.
In 2019 he created the themed program “A Journey Through the Roots of Popular Music” which combines history with a selection of his original songs and arrangements. The program has been presented in towns throughout Massachusetts including Wellesley, Gloucester, and Hopkinton. An in depth article on the show ran in the Martha’s Vineyard Times in December of 2019.
In addition to his work as a solo artist, Jon performs with his trio, “The Jon Waterman Project” in which percussion, bass, sax and flute are added to his original songs and arrangements. Both solo and with the Project Jon also performs original interpretations of blues, rock and folk standards. His sources of inspiration include Rolling Stones, Randy Newman, Lou Reed, the Grateful Dead, Golden Earring, Eric Burdon and War, Gram Parsons, and Jimmie Rodgers. His most recent CD, Grainy Days, is available through Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, and CD Baby, as well as from this website.
Jon Waterman “Walk As If You Won”
Jon Waterman, Li Waterman, Shira Moss & Steve Tapper “Murrieta’s Head”
Jon & Li Waterman (Riddley Walker) “There Used To Be a River Here”
Postponed- rescheduled for Saturday, June 17th -2pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
Attleboro Area Industrial Museum
Attleboro, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Attleboro Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Thursday, May 25th -6pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
Flint Public Library
1 Main St.
Middleton, MA
Saturday, June 10th -1pm
The Railroad in Song
Visitor Center – Lawrence Heritage State Park
Lawrence, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lawrence Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Wednesday, June 14th -1pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
Sandwich Center for Active Living
70 Quaker Meetinghouse Rd, Forestdale, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sandwich Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Thursday, June 22nd -7pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
Morse Institute Library
Natick, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Natick Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Recent Shows
Monday, April 10th -7pm
The Railroad in Song
Streaming presentation through Brockton Public Library
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvde6qpzIrE9ed5fI0wA3eJDZ1G8jK6zg9#/registration
Sunday, April 16th -4pm
Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends through Song
Workshop13
https://www.workshop13.org/store/cro-magnon-blues-history-legends-through-song/
13 Church Street, Ware, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Ware Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Sunday, April 22nd -7pm
Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends through Song
Walnut Street Cafe
127 Walnut Street, Lynn, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lynn Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Thursday, April 27th -7pm
Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends through Song
Berkshire Athenaeum – Pittsefield Public Library
1 Wendell Street, Pittsfield, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Saturday, April 29th -11am
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
Richards Memorial Library
118 North Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the North Attleboro Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Thursday, May 4th -1pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
Whitman Council on Aging
16 Hayden Ave, Whitman, MA
Saturday, May 6th -1pm
The Railroad in Song
The Bixby Memorial Free Library
258 Main Street, Vergennes VT
Monday, May 8th -12pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
Manchester Community Library
138 Cemetery Ave, Manchester Center VT