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Don Snow
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Key Information
Don Snow (born 13 January 1957 in London) is a British vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, who plays the Hammond organ, piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums and saxophone. He is primarily known for his work with the new wave bands Squeeze,[1] the Sinceros and the Catch, as well as Procol Harum. He has also frequently toured with Van Morrison and has played the Hammond organ and piano on three of his albums.
Career
[edit]He started his career in 1978 as an original member of the new wave/power pop outfit the Sinceros, who were signed to Epic Records and released a string of successful albums. Around this time, he also played with Lene Lovich and Bill Nelson, before he joined Squeeze in 1982, replacing Paul Carrack. At this time, he recorded with drummer Chris Whitten as the Catch, releasing the single "25 Years" which reached number 3 on the German charts, sold half a million copies and stayed on the charts for 40 weeks. He also recorded with artists such as Judie Tzuke, Tracey Ullman, Nik Kershaw, ABC and Sheila Walsh.
In 1987, he joined Tina Turner for her Break Every Rule World Tour and recorded the album Live in Europe. He also recorded with Roger Daltrey, Tom Jones, Jimmy Somerville, Chris Eaton, Holly Johnson, Boy George, Jaki Graham and Gary Moore. On 11 June 1988, Snow played the first Nelson Mandela benefit at the Wembley Arena along with Al Green, Joe Cocker, Natalie Cole, Jonathan Butler, Freddie Jackson, and Ashford & Simpson.
In 1990, Snow played with the John Lennon tribute band in Liverpool, before he re-joined Squeeze in 1991 for touring. In 1992, after appearing on records by Tina Turner, Judie Tzuke, Thomas Anders and Heartland, he played keyboards for Procol Harum (including their second orchestral concert in Edmonton, Canada) and later played for Van Morrison. He joined Squeeze for the third time in 1995 and played with Morrison again in 1998.
Since 2000, he has recorded releases with Kylie Minogue, Melanie C, Joe Cocker, Mark Owen, Michael Ball and released several solo albums.
In December 1992, he changed his name to Jonn Savannah. He moved to Medford, New Jersey, in 2005.[2]
Discography
[edit]Album credits
[edit]- 1978 – Lene Lovich – Stateless
- 1979 – The Sinceros – The Sound of Sunbathing
- 1979 – The Barron Knights – Tell the World to Laugh
- 1979 – Peter C. Johnson – Peter C. Johnson
- 1980 – Johnny Logan – Save Me
- 1980 – The Vibrators – Batteries Included
- 1981 – The Sinceros – Pet Rock
- 1981 – The Quick – Ship to Shore
- 1981 – The Sinceros – 2nd Debut
- 1981 – Fingerprintz – Beat Noir
- 1982 – Jona Lewie – Heart Skips Beat
- 1982 – Judie Tzuke – Shoot the Moon
- 1982 – Squeeze – Sweets from a Stranger
- 1982 – Fern Kinney – All It Takes Love to Know Love
- 1983 – Wendy & the Rocketts – Dazed for Days
- 1983 – Bianca – Where the Beat Meets the Street
- 1983 – Judie Tzuke – Ritmo
- 1983 – Tracey Ullman – They Don't Know
- 1984 – The Catch – Balance on Wires
- 1984 – Nik Kershaw – The Riddle
- 1984 – Nik Kershaw – Human Racing
- 1984 – Tracey Ullman – You Caught Me Out
- 1984 – Tin Tin – Kiss Me
- 1984 – Paul Da Vinci – Work So Hard
- 1985 – ABC – How to be a Zillionaire!
- 1985 – Gianni Morandi – Uno So Mille
- 1985 – Sheila Walsh – Shadowlands
- 1987 – The Catch – Walk the Water
- 1987 – Roger Daltrey – Can't Wait to See the Movie
- 1987 – Model – Model
- 1987 – Chris Eaton – Vision
- 1988 – Tina Turner – Live in Europe
- 1989 – Holly Johnson – Blast
- 1989 – Jimmy Somerville – Read My Lips
- 1989 – Tom Jones – At This Moment
- 1989 – Gary Moore – Wild Frontier
- 1989 – Jaki Graham – From Now On
- 1989 – Baby Ford – Beach Bump
- 1991 – Thomas Anders – Whispers
- 1991 – Tina Turner – Simply the Best
- 1991 – Judie Tzuke – Left Hand Talking
- 1991 – Heartland – Heartland
- 1991 – This Picture – A Violent Impression
- 1992 – Judie Tzuke – I Can Read Books
- 1993 – Van Morrison – Too Long in Exile
- 1994 – Van Morrison – A Night in San Francisco
- 1994 – Hanne Boel – Misty Paradise
- 1994 – Gregory Gray – Euroflake in Silverlake
- 1995 – Brian Kennedy – Intuition
- 1995 – Martyn Joseph – Martyn Joseph
- 1995 – Jimmy Somerville – Dare to Love
- 1995 – Van Morrison – Days Like This
- 1996 – Ray Charles – Strong Love Affair
- 1996 – Squeeze – Ridiculous
- 1996 – Right Said Fred – Smashing!
- 1996 – Judie Tzuke – Under the Angels
- 1997 – The Vibrators – Demos & Raities
- 1999 – Joe Cocker – No Ordinary World
- 1999 – Ashley Maher – The Blessed Rain
- 1999 – Siggi – Siggi
- 1999 – Emmet Swimming – Big Night Without You
- 2000 – Kylie Minogue – Light Years
- 2000 – Ruth – Ruth
- 2001 – Russell Watson – The Voice
- 2001 – Steve Balsamo – All I Am
- 2003 – Melanie C – Reason
- 2003 – American Idol – Season 2
- 2003 – Ruben Studdard – Superstar
- 2003 – Sandi Russell – Incascedent
- 2004 – American Idol – Season 3
- 2004 – Mark Owen – In Your Own Time
- 2005 – Bernie Armstrong – The Face of Christ
- 2006 – Heavy Little Elephants – Heavy Little Elephants
- 2006 – Michael Ball – One Voice
- 2007 – Pawnshop Roses – Let It Roll
- 2009 – Carsie Blanton – Carsie Blanton
- 2009 – Alcaz – On Se Dit Tout
- 2010 – Alexis Cunningham – Wonderlust
- 2011 – Alexis Cunningham – Love at the End of the World
- 2014 – Die Fantastischen Vier (feat. Jonn Savannah) – 25
References
[edit]- ^ Lewis, Barbara (13 November 1982). "British group Squeeze breaks up". The Free Lance-Star. p. 16. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ Biography, Jonn Savannah. Accessed November 27, 2013. "Jonn began working on the American Idol series in 2002, tuning the vocals for the contestants. In 2005 he relocated to Medford, New Jersey, where he set up Jonn Savannah Music, an umbrella organization for music writing, recording and education."
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Don Snow' Fan page at procolharum.com
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Don Snow
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Early life
Birth and family background
Don Snow was born on 13 January 1957 in Nairobi, Kenya.[1][6] Little publicly available information exists regarding his family background or early childhood, though he developed an early interest in music, playing and singing songs by bands like Procol Harum during his teenage years in England.[1]Musical beginnings
Don Snow was born on 13 January 1957 in Nairobi, Kenya, and later relocated to London, where he grew up immersed in the city's burgeoning music scene.[7] A trained pianist from a young age, Snow developed proficiency on keyboards early on, laying the foundation for his multi-instrumentalist career that would encompass piano, Hammond organ, saxophone, guitar, bass, and drums. Snow's professional musical journey began in the late 1970s amid the punk and new wave movements in London. In 1978, he briefly joined the punk rock band The Vibrators as their keyboardist and saxophonist, contributing to their single "Judy Says (Knock You In the Head)," which reached No. 70 on the UK Singles Chart that summer.[8] This short stint marked his entry into the high-energy punk scene, where he added atmospheric keyboard layers and horn accents to the band's raw sound.[9] Later in 1978, Snow became a core member of the new wave and power pop band The Sinceros, serving as their keyboardist and occasional lead vocalist. With The Sinceros, he helped shape their melodic, guitar-driven style influenced by pub rock and emerging new wave, contributing to their debut album The Sound of Sunbathing (1979) and the follow-up Pet Rock (1981), both released on Epic Records.[3] His work with the band, including providing lead vocals on tracks like "Break Her Heart" and "Disappearing," showcased his versatility in blending piano-driven pop with energetic rhythms, establishing him as a sought-after session musician in London's post-punk landscape.[10]Career
Early bands and breakthrough
Snow began his professional music career at the age of 19, having played in local bands since he was 15. His early exposure to the punk scene came in 1978 when he briefly joined the Vibrators, a pioneering UK punk band. As their keyboardist and saxophonist, Snow contributed to the single "Judy Says (Knock You In The Head)", which charted at No. 70 on the UK Singles Chart and showcased the band's evolving sound blending punk energy with pop elements.[11] That same year, Snow co-founded the new wave and power pop outfit The Sinceros, signing a worldwide deal with Epic Records shortly thereafter. The band, featuring Snow on keyboards and occasional vocals, released their debut album The Sound of Sunbathing in 1979, which highlighted catchy melodies and sophisticated arrangements influenced by the emerging new wave movement. Their follow-up, Pet Rock (1981), continued this style and received positive critical reception for tracks like Snow's lead vocal on "Disappearing", though commercial success remained modest. During this period, Snow also supported Lene Lovich on her second Stiff Records tour, broadening his experience in the post-punk landscape.[12][3] Snow's breakthrough arrived in 1981 when he joined Squeeze as their keyboardist, replacing Paul Carrack and contributing to the band's fifth album, Sweets from a Stranger (1982). His Hammond organ and piano work added a distinctive texture to the record's polished new wave pop, helping it achieve commercial success with peaks at No. 20 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 42 on the US Billboard 200. This stint with Squeeze marked Snow's entry into mainstream recognition, solidifying his reputation as a versatile session and band musician amid the band's rising international profile.[13][14]Work with Squeeze
Don Snow joined Squeeze as their keyboardist in early 1982, replacing Paul Carrack following the release of the band's 1981 album East Side Story. His tenure marked a transitional period for the group, contributing to their fifth studio album, Sweets from a Stranger, released in April 1982 on A&M Records. On the album, Snow provided keyboards across all tracks and backing vocals on several, including the singles "Black Coffee in Bed" and "Annie Get Your Gun," helping to shape the record's polished new wave sound amid internal tensions that led to the band's breakup later that year.[15][16] After Squeeze's initial dissolution, Snow pursued other projects but rejoined the reformed lineup for live performances supporting their 1991 album Play. As a touring keyboardist, he shared duties with Carol Isaacs during the band's fall 1991 U.S. and international dates, bolstering the core duo of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook alongside bassist Keith Wilkinson and drummer Gilson Lavis. This period revitalized Squeeze's stage presence, with Snow's Hammond organ and synthesizer work complementing the album's eclectic pop arrangements.[17] Snow returned to Squeeze in the mid-1990s under the stage name Jonn Savannah, contributing piano and backing vocals to select tracks on their 1995 album Ridiculous, including "Walk Away" and "Heaven Knows." He also served as the primary touring keyboardist from 1995 to 1997, supporting the album's promotion and helping maintain the band's momentum before another hiatus. His multifaceted role during this era underscored Squeeze's enduring reliance on his session and live expertise.[18]The Catch and mid-career projects
Following his departure from Squeeze in 1982, Don Snow formed the new wave duo The Catch with drummer Chris Whitten in 1983. The band initially included drummer Andy Duncan, who was soon replaced by Whitten, a session musician known for his work with various acts. Signing to WEA Records, The Catch debuted with the single "25 Years," released in late 1983, which achieved notable commercial success across continental Europe, peaking at number 3 in Germany, number 6 in Austria, and number 8 in Switzerland.[19][20] The single's momentum propelled the release of their debut album, Balance on Wires, in 1984 via Metronome Records, where Snow served as producer and multi-instrumentalist, handling keyboards, guitar, bass, saxophone, and lead vocals. The album blended synth-pop with new wave elements, featuring tracks like "Work So Hard" and "Dirty Boy." Follow-up singles "Under the Skin" and "On the Road Again" both reached number 53 on the German charts, sustaining the duo's regional popularity.[21] In 1986, The Catch issued their sophomore effort, Walk the Water, also on Metronome, incorporating funk, soul, and disco influences amid Snow's continued role as primary songwriter, performer, and co-engineer. Key tracks included "Soul Information," "The Difference," and "I Don't Want to Fight," with Snow providing backing vocals and engineering alongside Keith Bessey and Martyn Webster. The album marked the duo's final major release before disbanding, though a 1991 compilation, 25 Years - The Album, featuring Snow prominently, revisited their hits on Hansa Records.[22][23] Beyond The Catch, Snow's mid-career encompassed extensive session work and touring in the late 1980s. He contributed keyboards to ABC's 1985 album How to Be a Zillionaire!, enhancing its synth-driven sound, and engineered and played on Roger Daltrey's 1987 solo release Can't Wait to See the Movie. In 1987, Snow joined Tina Turner's Break Every Rule World Tour as a keyboardist, supporting her global performances. These projects highlighted Snow's versatility as a multi-instrumentalist and producer during a transitional phase before his later endeavors.[1][20]Later collaborations and touring
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Snow contributed to several high-profile recordings outside his band work. He provided keyboards and backing vocals on Tina Turner's live album Live in Europe (1988), captured during her Break Every Rule World Tour, where he also served as a touring musician from 1987 to 1988. He appeared on Judie Tzuke's Left Hand Talking (1991), playing keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals, and contributed backing vocals and musical performance to Thomas Anders' Whispers (1991).[24][25] Snow also lent backing vocals to the self-titled debut album by the British rock band Heartland in 1991.[26] Snow rejoined Squeeze in 1991 for their touring commitments following the band's reformation, marking a brief return to his foundational group.[27] In 1992, he performed Hammond organ on a series of 13 live shows with Procol Harum across five countries, supporting their reunion efforts with Gary Brooker.[1] Throughout the 1990s, Snow maintained an ongoing touring relationship with Van Morrison, contributing piano and Hammond organ to albums including Too Long in Exile (1993) and Days Like This (1995), while participating in multiple concert tours in the 1990s, including the 1992-1993 tour.[28][29] Under his stage name Jonn Savannah, Snow returned to Squeeze in 1995, providing keyboards for their album Ridiculous and joining the subsequent tour, which promoted the record across the UK and US.[27] This period highlighted his versatility as a session and live performer, bridging new wave roots with broader rock and soul influences, though he shifted focus toward solo endeavors by the late 1990s.Solo career
Transition to Jonn Savannah
In December 1992, shortly after his last performances with Procol Harum, Don Snow legally changed his name to Jonn Savannah via deed poll, marking a personal and professional shift away from his established band career.[1] This change coincided with a period of reduced touring and a focus on independent projects, allowing him to rebrand his musical identity for solo pursuits. By the early 2000s, Savannah began releasing music under his new name, with his debut solo albums Le Grand Bleu (solo piano) and Tantric Sex (multi-instrumental production) both appearing in 2002 on NorthStar Music (Ambiente series).[30] These works emphasized ambient and instrumental styles, diverging from the rock and new wave sounds of his earlier collaborations. In 2005, he relocated to Medford, New Jersey, and founded Jonn Savannah Music as an organization dedicated to songwriting, recording, and music education, further solidifying this transition to a solo-oriented career.[4]Instrumental and new age releases
Under the pseudonym Jonn Savannah, Don Snow explored instrumental and new age music, self-releasing a series of albums characterized by ambient soundscapes, solo piano compositions, and electronic textures designed for relaxation and meditation. These works marked a departure from his rock and pop roots, emphasizing serene, atmospheric arrangements often featuring piano, acoustic guitar, and subtle synthesizers. Beginning in the early 2000s, Savannah's output in this genre reflected influences from global spiritual traditions, feng shui principles, and natural environments, positioning him as a niche contributor to the new age movement.[30][31] One of his earliest entries, Feng Shui (2001, Healing Harmonies Records), consists of healing-oriented tracks blending soft keyboards and ambient drones to promote balance and harmony, aligning with the album's thematic focus on Eastern philosophy. This was followed by Chill Out for the Mind (2003, NorthStar Music), an ambient album with relaxing tracks designed for mental unwind.[4] Also in 2002, Tantric Sex (NorthStar Music, Ambiente series), an electronic new age album with ethereal pieces like "The Divine Realm" and "Dance of the Guru," evoking mystical and sensual journeys through layered synths and rhythmic pulses.[30][32] Also in 2002, Le Grand Bleu showcased Savannah's solo piano prowess in oceanic-inspired improvisations, capturing fluid, wave-like melodies. These releases established his signature style of introspective, non-vocal instrumentation.[30] Savannah continued this trajectory with piano-centric works such as Ambiente: Watercolours (2005, NorthStar Music), a collection of delicate, impressionistic solos evoking visual artistry through gentle dynamics and harmonic subtlety.[33] In 2006, Invisible Earth Records issued three albums: The Mayan Codices, drawing on ancient Mesoamerican motifs with meditative piano explorations; Sanctuary, featuring tranquil ambient pieces for inner peace; and Inversions, which inverted traditional structures into experimental soundscapes using multi-tracked instruments. Later efforts included Del Mare (2008, New Age And New Sounds), a piano album inspired by Mediterranean seascapes. Savannah released Music for Feng Shui (2012, NorthStar Music), an ambient album with tracks promoting harmony and serenity through feng shui-inspired soundscapes. Recent reissues, such as updated editions of Sanctuary and The Mayan Codices in 2021, have sustained availability on digital platforms.[30][34][35][36]Personal life
Relocation and family
In 2005, Snow relocated from the United Kingdom to Medford, New Jersey, where he founded Jonn Savannah Music as an umbrella organization for music composition, recording, and educational initiatives. This move coincided with his ongoing work tuning vocals for contestants on American Idol, which he had begun in 2002. In 2018, he further relocated to Cherry Hill, New Jersey, establishing Music NJ to expand his local music production and teaching efforts.[2]Other professional pursuits
In addition to his extensive career in performance and recording, Snow has pursued music education as a professional instructor. Operating under his stage name Jonn Savannah, he offers private lessons in piano, guitar (including electric, acoustic, and bass), drums, voice, and other instruments, emphasizing practical skills such as improvisation, playing by ear, groove, and genre-specific techniques like pop, rock, soul, and country.[37] His teaching approach draws on over 40 years of professional experience, prioritizing immediate engagement with the instrument over initial heavy focus on theory or sight-reading, and includes supervised jam sessions and acoustic jams to simulate band environments.[37] Students praise his customized, transformative style, with one describing him as "engaging, knowledgeable, and transformative" after two years of study.[37] Snow owns and operates recording studios that support his instructional work and broader production activities. Through his Music NJ recording studio in Medford, New Jersey, and AngloSonic Music in Rowley, Massachusetts—founded in 2005—he provides professionally equipped spaces for lessons, recording using tools like Pro Tools and GarageBand, and live accompaniment during sessions.[37][12] These facilities enable students to explore songwriting, recording, and performance preparation, reflecting his commitment to holistic musical development.[12] Beyond education and studio management, Snow has engaged in voiceover work and media composition. He has provided voiceover services for the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, leveraging his vocal expertise from decades in the music industry.[12] In film and documentary scoring, he composed the original score for the 2020 short film Forced to Marry produced by Capture Humanity, blending his instrumental and production skills with narrative storytelling.[38] These pursuits highlight his versatility in applying musical talents to educational, commercial, and multimedia contexts.Discography
Solo albums
Don Snow, under his alias Jonn Savannah, released a series of instrumental and new age solo albums beginning in the early 2000s, focusing on piano, ambient sounds, and relaxation themes. These works marked a departure from his rock and pop band contributions, emphasizing solo piano improvisations and atmospheric compositions often produced and engineered by himself. His solo output is characterized by limited-edition CDs on independent labels, with themes drawing from nature, spirituality, and healing music.[30][39] The following table lists his primary solo albums, including release years and labels where available:| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Angelsword | Self-released | Improvised piano, limited CD release.[30] |
| 2001 | Feng Shui | Healing Harmonies Records | All instruments, production, and engineering by Savannah.[30] |
| 2002 | Le Grand Bleu | Ambiente Records | Solo piano compositions.[30] |
| 2002 | Tantric Sex | Ambiente Records | All instruments, production, arrangements, and engineering by Savannah.[30] |
| 2003 | Chill Out for the Mind | Northstar Records | All instruments, production, arrangements, and engineering by Savannah.[30][40] |
| 2005 | Ambiente: Watercolours | Ambiente Records | Solo piano, focused on dreamy relaxation themes.[30][39][41] |
| 2006 | The Mayan Codices | Invisible Earth Records | Solo piano.[30][39] |
| 2006 | Sanctuary | Invisible Earth Records | Ambient and healing-focused.[30][39] |
| 2006 | Inversions | Invisible Earth Records | Instrumental explorations.[30] |
| 2008 | Del Mare | New Age And New Sounds | Piano-based.[30] |
| 2012 | Music for Feng Shui | Self-released | Ambient arrangements for relaxation.[39][40] |
| 2021 | Tibetan Bowls | Self-released | Features Tibetan bowl sounds for meditation.[39] |
| 2021 | The Mayan Codices | Self-released | Reissue or expanded solo piano.[39][40] |
| 2021 | Sanctuary | Self-released | Reissue of ambient work.[39][40] |