Jon Blondell was born in Iowa, grew up in Harlingen and studied music at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.  While studying there he quickly became a part of the local music scene both as a trombonist and a bass player.
After St. Mary’s he came to Austin became the house bass player at Antone’s Night Club where he played with Buddy Guy, Jimmy Page, U2, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Vaughn, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kim Wilson, Pinetop Perkins, LouAnn Barton, Marcia Ball, Charlie Sexton and all the Austin Blues family. 
At the same time he was breaking into the jazz scene as a trombonist playing with local jazz artists as well as greats like Chet Baker, Branford Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Carl Fontana, Bill Watrous and others. 
He later crossed over into the country and rock n roll world and has had the honor of working with Willie Nelson, George Strait, Delbert McClinton, Ray Price, Asleep at the Wheel and Dale Watson. 
His recording discography is equally diversified and includes not only sideman credits on many jazz, blues and country records plus scores of radio and television commercials.

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]