Jono Smithers, a 23-year-old guitarist, songwriter and producer from Plettenberg Bay South Africa, releases his brilliant debut album Honeybee.
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The album was preceded by a single release – Cape Town, in December 2019 and is currently on circuit on local South African stations including Mix Fm, TUks FM, MFM, Bay FM, Tshwane FM, Pheli FM, Whale Coast FM, Knysna FM, NFM and now currently in the SA Top 20 on 90.6fm – home of the Vaal.
Jono graduated from Berklee College in December 2019 and is ready to hit the ground running.
When asked about the inspiration and meaning behind Honeybee, Jono says – “Concerning the whole album, it is about my experience in America over the past two years. I was only able to go as a result of my grandmother Bea – she believed in me enough to provide me the means by which to pursue my dream of becoming a musician. It is a collection of the past year of my life, the ups and the downs and finally all of the wonderful people that were a part of it. I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity I was lucky to receive and hope to make my late Grandmother proud”.
Jono is the recipient of two Berklee College of Music scholarships – Songwriting and Performance Guitar. Whilst at Berklee Jono has had the opportunity to study under the likes of Mick Goodrick, Larry Baione, Mark White, Dave Tronzo, Tim Miller & Jeff Lockhart. These are all giants in their field having mentored the likes of Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, Bill Frisell, and John Scofield.
Jono Smithers began learning guitar at the age of five and would go on to be accepted to the Berklee Summer Guitar Sessions at the age of twelve.
Jono was then awarded the Music Scholarship to attend Hilton College, where he would complete his secondary studies as the Deputy Head of School in 2014.Whilst at Berklee Jono has been awarded a place on the Dean’s List consistently, been chosen to represent the College as a Student Ambassador in LA and is en route to have completed his 4-year Music degree Magna Cum Laude (3.97 GPA).
To celebrate all these achievements – Jono released his brand new single ‘Cape Town’, which is having great success on SA stations.
Cape Town is an upbeat summer pop hit and celebrates the beauty, passion and glory of Cape Town and South Africa.
Image Courtesy: Supplied