“What Wirtz does with the piano is brilliant, a genius . . . ”
“Wirtz is a powerful artist who is not afraid to push the envelope, ask the hard question or go where other artists won’t try to go.”
Jon Wirtz's solo career represents a new chapter in his artistic evolution. Delving deeper into his original work, listeners of Wirtz have become increasingly mesmerized by his unique sound, which incorporates acoustic piano with a tasteful use of ethereal effects and emotional crescendos. His compositions often blend simple melodies with tasteful improvisation, skillfully creating landscapes of sound that range from classical to avant-garde, familiar to experimental, and melodies that can be described as both cascading and contemplative. Drawing upon a vast repertoire of influences, Wirtz paints musical portraits with a sustained intensity; the result is not quite classical yet not quite jazz, though certainly unique. As he continues to forge his creative path, each performance invites listeners into a realm where tradition meets innovation, eroding stylistic boundaries.
Wirtz’s years of performing as both a sideman and band leader have been illuminated by his work with Grammy-winning producers Malcolm Burn, Steve Berlin, John Macy, and musical mentor Art Lande. Along the way his musical journey has allowed him to share billing and stages with an eclectic roster of artists including Justin Timberlake, Gregory Alan Isakov, Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck), Buddy Guy, and George Porter Jr. (The Meters), among many others. In 2024 he was recognized as a Most Distinguished Musician at the Second Prize level in the IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition for the title track to his album Beautiful Illusion. Notably, Wirtz’s career has been punctuated by memorable appearances on shows including The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS Early Morning Show, Ellen, and Lopez Tonight (George Lopez). Each performance is a testament to his versatility across a wide spectrum of musical genres.