Jonathan Barber is an international recording artist, composer, bandleader, and educator voted the #1 Up-and-Coming Drummer of 2018 by Modern Drummer. A first-call sideman, he has recorded and toured worldwide with Pat Metheny, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride, Erykah Badu, Nicholas Payton, Gretchen Parlato, Terrace Martin, Walter Smith III, and many others.

Beyond his sideman work, Barber leads Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead, whose album Legacy Holder earned 4.5 stars from DownBeat. Th

e band’s music weaves classic jazz with gospel, rock, soul, and fusion — and has graced stages at the Hartford Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Pittsburgh Jazz Festival, and international venues including Ronnie Scott’s (London), Duc Des Lombards (Paris), and festivals in Russia and Switzerland. As an independent artist, Barber has released five albums with Vision Ahead between 2018 and 2024.

A sought-after clinician, Barber has toured solo in Latin America and China and appeared at the PASIC convention. He is currently Jazz Drum Professor at the University of Connecticut and endorses Ludwig Drums, Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Promark Drumsticks, and Sunhouse Percussion.

Litchfield Jazz Camp is thrilled to welcome Jonathan to the Drum Faculty.

Check out Jonathan’s website: https://jonathanbarbermusic.com/