John Simon

was born in Norwalk, Connecticut on August 11, 1941. His Father, a country doctor and violinist, taught him the fiddle and the piano at age 4. The first song he wrote was for his Cub Scout den. By high school, he was leading and writing for several bands and also wrote 2 original musicals. At Princeton he wrote 3 more shows and wrote for and performed in several bands, including leading a band to the finals of the 1st Georgetown Jazz Festival.

In New York he joined Columbia as a producer-in-training, producing acts in all areas of music, but soon having success with pop acts. His 1st pop record was "Red Rubber Ball" by The Cyrkle. Then he went on to produce some of the biggest records of the 60's: Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company's "Cheap Thrills", most of Simon and Garfunkle's "Bookends", Leonard Cohen's 1st album, the 1st album by Blood, Sweat and Tears and the 1st 2 albums by
The Band.

In addition, he produced "The Last Waltz", Steve Forbert's "Jackrabbit Slim" , Michael Frank's "Tiger In The Rain", David Sanborn's "Heart To Heart", and albums by John Hartford, Gil Evans and Mama Cass Elliott, as well as working with Taj Mahal, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Dave Mason, Howlin' Wolf, Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Phoebe Snow, Joni Mitchell and many others. His most recent album productions have been for The Band ("Jericho"), A.J. Croce and Jackie Cain & Roy Kral and a new album by Hirth Martinez.

He has also composed music for high wire artist Phillip Petit and 2 ballet scores for choreographer Twyla Tharp. He has worked on Broadway, in TV and has scored 2 movies.

In the early 70's Warner Brothers released 2 albums of his songs which were universally critically acclaimed. Instead of going on the road, however, he chose to stay close to home and family life. Now, with his kids grown, he is resuming his solo career.

Recently the Japanese company, Pioneer/LDC Records commissioned 2 new albums of his songs. The first, "Out On The Street" was released there in 1992 where it was selected by the HMV music store chain as 1 of the 2 best records of that year (along with Eric Clapton and Peter Gabriel). In 1994 that album was released in the U.S. by Vanguard records. He followed that album in Japan with the realease of "Harmony Farm" and then "Home". In the Spring of 2001, Dreamsville, in Japan, released his tribute to Hoagy Carmichael entitled "Hoagyland".

He has recently performed at, among others, The Bottom Line, Fez and The Blue Note in NYC and 4 tours in Japan, including The Blue Note in Tokyo.

Download john's photo here (Right click - Save file as)