Jon Watson is a proud alumnus of SoCal Jazz Academy and was named “Student of the Year” in 2021.  He  graduated in 2022 and is thrilled to return to the program as a drum instructor focused on helping beginning drummers to develop a strong foundation that will prepare them for more advanced study. Jon has an engaging teaching style that encourages new learners to have fun, explore, and experience the joy of playing drums. 

Jon is a working drummer and bandleader with his own ensemble, Jazz Fellowship, that features a rotating roster of outstanding young professional jazz musicians and performs regularly for audiences throughout Southern California.  

Jon started his musical journey at an early age on both clarinet and drums. In high school, Jon performed in marching band, orchestra, stage band, and theater pit orchestra.  He held the position of First Chair Clarinet in the prestigious Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra. 

As an award-winning snare drummer and drum line leader in the Claremont High School Marching Band, Jon led his squad to numerous top awards at regional and statewide drum line competitions.  Jon also toured internationally with the Young California Musicians Abroad concert band performing for audiences in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Jon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of California, Irvine where he played drums for the UC Irvine Jazz Band.  He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Seattle University.

 He has enjoyed a long career in business and technology with experience in sales, marketing, software development, and project management at companies ranging in size from early stage start-ups to multi-billion dollar corporations.

Jon lives in La Verne, CA with his wife of 36 years and their fun-loving Labrador Retriever.  He and his wife have a grown son.  In his spare time, Jon is an avid bicyclist and enjoys traveling whenever possible.