Jon MacLennan

Last updated
Jon MacLennan
Jon MacLennan.jpg
Background information
Birth nameJon Andrew MacLennan
Born (1987-03-23) March 23, 1987 (age 37)
Tarzana, California
GenresClassic rock, jazz, blues, pop
Occupation(s) Studio musician, composer, producer, instructor
Years active2003–present
LabelsSuspicious Love Productions
Website www.jonmaclennan.com

Jon MacLennan is a Los Angeles-based musician, composer, producer and music educator. MacLennan's session work includes playing guitar on Julian Lennon and Steven Tyler's song, "Someday", from Lennon's album, Everything Changes (2013), [1] and backing vocals on Jamie Cullum's album, The Pursuit (2009). [2] He's also played guitar on songs for Holly Knight, Mark Spiro and Tim Miner. MacLennan's original song, "Fallin' Deeper", [3] is featured in the Twentieth Century Fox film Marley & Me: The Puppy Years (2011) soundtrack. [4] MacLennan's published works include: three self-produced albums, [5] two instructional music iBooks, Melodic Expressions: The Art of the Line (2012), [6] Play Ukulele (2012) and hundreds of instructional workshop videos on his YouTube channel [5] with over 1.48 million views. [7]

Contents

Background

MacLennan began his professional music career at 16 completing session work for Grammy Award-winning mixer Tom Weir. His first album, Suspicious Love (2006) was recorded at Weir's Studio City Sound in Studio City, CA. MacLennan also secured television work with 20th Century Fox Television and the Disney Channel during his teen years. [5] MacLennan earned a bachelor's degree in Ethnomusicology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with emphasis in jazz guitar in 2010. His mentors include: Carl Verheyen, Tim Pierce, Kenny Burrell, Jimmy Wyble, Tamir Hendelman, Ron Anthony and Wolf Marshall, [8] the author of Hal Leonard's Wolf Marshall Guitar Method and Power Studies. [9]

Music education

iBooks

It's like having the book come to life... As a guitar player and as a guitar instructor, it's like having a dream come true. [...] As far as I’ve seen, he's the first one who's done this successfully.

— Wolf Marshall (Guitarist, educator, author, lecturer), Daily Bruin [6]

Melodic Expressions is an interactive instructional iBook for advanced guitar players. The iBook contains more than 90 pages of content pertaining to different musical genres [8] and focuses on the "...language of the music," according to MacLennan. [6] The iBook is divided into three sections, "Major", "Minor" and "Dominant" [14] musical phrasing with genre specific core-elements, rather than formal scales and drilled exercises. Each page includes a slow and fast tempo playback with the lead guitar in the right speaker and the pad guitar in the left speaker. [15] After-market iPad accessories are available to enable the guitarist to plugin to the iPad directly and play along with the left, right or both tracks. [14]

  • Melodic Expressions: The Art of the Line (2012) [16]
  • Play Ukulele (2012) [17]

Instructional DVDs

Jon has been creating instructional DVD guitar courses since 2012. Listed below are some of his top selling DVD courses.

  • The Fasttrack Guitar System (2013)
  • Play From the Heart (2013)
  • Ukulele Secrets (2013)
  • Blues Power (2014)
  • Banjo Made Simple (2014)

Filmography

Soundtracks

Soundtrack features MacLennan's single, "Fallin’ Deeper" – 20th Century Fox (2011) [3] [8]
Alex Knost, C.J. Nelson, Joel Tudor, Josh Farberow and Oliver Parker – Kylemacfilms (2009)

Television

20th Century Fox Television [8]
"What the Hey" season 2 episode 21 – Disney Channel (2006) [8]

Discography

Suspicious Love(album)

Tracklist: Suspicious Love(UPC 634479426988)
No.TitleLength
1."Suspicious Love (I think I like it)"2:44
2."Good To Know"3:39
3."The Fighter"4:11
4."Crazy Love"2:50
5."Don't Go"3:07
6."Big Time"5:02
7."You Don't Know"2:57
8."Kind To No One Blues"2:55
9."S.P.F."2:56
10."On My Mind"4:12

Dreams(album)

Tracklist: Dreams(UPC 885767642072)
No.TitleLength
1."Start All Over Again"3:38
2."Someday"4:30
3."Dreams"3:16
4."Lesson Learned"4:17
5."Fallin' Deeper"3:09
6."Christmas Day"3:17
7."Footsteps in the Sand"3:08
8."Peace"3:51
9."Cheating Woman Blues"2:53
10."Until the End"3:47

Songs from Box Canyon(album)

Tracklist: Songs from Box Canyon(UPC 887516928130)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Nobody Cares When You Live in L.A"MacLennan3:19
2."New Life"MacLennan3:02
3."In My Arms" (feat. Heather Youmans)MacLennan/Youmans4:12
4."Fallin' in Love"MacLennan4:00
5."A Time and a Place"MacLennan2:38
6."Bottle of Dreams"MacLennan3:19
7."I Want You Back"MacLennan3:34
8."We Are the Future"MacLennan4:20
9."Without You"MacLennan4:18

Related Research Articles

<i>Imagine</i> (John Lennon album) 1971 album by John Lennon

Imagine is the second solo studio album by English musician John Lennon, released on 9 September 1971 by Apple Records. Co-produced by Lennon, his wife Yoko Ono and Phil Spector, the album's elaborate sound contrasts the basic, small-group arrangements of his first album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970). The opening title track is widely considered to be his signature song.

<i>Abbey Road</i> 1969 studio album by the Beatles

Abbey Road is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band the Beatles, released on 26 September 1969, by Apple Records. It is the last album the group recorded, although Let It Be (1970) was the last album completed before the band's break-up in April 1970. It was mostly recorded in April, July, and August 1969, and topped the record charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom. A double A-side single from the album, "Something" / "Come Together", was released in October, which also topped the charts in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Brion</span> American musician (born 1963)

Jon Brion is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and composer. He performed with the Excerpts, the Bats, 'Til Tuesday and the Grays before becoming an established producer and film score composer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Shimabukuro</span> American musician (born 1976)

Jake Shimabukuro is a ukulele virtuoso and composer from Hawaii known for his fast and complex finger work. His music combines elements of jazz, blues, funk, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk, and flamenco. Shimabukuro has written numerous original compositions, including the entire soundtracks to two Japanese films, Hula Girls (2007) and Sideways (2009), the Japanese remake of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The End (Beatles song)</span> 1969 song by the Beatles

"The End" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1969 album Abbey Road. It was composed by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was the last song recorded collectively by all four Beatles, and is the final song of the medley that constitutes the majority of side two of the album. The song features the only drum solo recorded by Ringo Starr with the Beatles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomorrow Never Knows</span> 1966 song by the Beatles

"Tomorrow Never Knows" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written primarily by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was released in August 1966 as the final track on their album Revolver, although it was the first song recorded for the LP. The song marked a radical departure for the Beatles, as the band fully embraced the potential of the recording studio without consideration for reproducing the results in concert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Things We Said Today</span> 1964 single by the Beatles

"Things We Said Today" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was released in July 1964 as the B-side to the single "A Hard Day's Night" and on their album of the same name, except in North America, where it appeared on the album Something New. The band recorded the song twice for BBC Radio and regularly performed an abbreviated version during their 1964 North American tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Need You (Beatles song)</span> 1965 song by the Beatles

"I Need You" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1965 album Help! It was written by George Harrison, the group's lead guitarist, and was the second composition of his to be released by the Beatles. The track appears in their film Help!, in a scene filmed on Salisbury Plain where the group were under military protection from a murderous cult.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's a Woman</span> 1964 single by the Beatles

"She's a Woman" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was released on a non-album single in November 1964 as the B-side to "I Feel Fine", except in North America, where it also appeared on the album Beatles '65, released in December 1964. Though it was the B-side, it charted in the US, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Cash Box Top 100. The song originated in McCartney's attempt to write a song in the style of Little Richard. The lyrics include the first reference to drugs in a Beatles song, with the line "turn(s) me on" referring to marijuana.

"Outside the Wall" is a song written by Roger Waters. It is the final track on the 1979 Pink Floyd album, The Wall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Let Me Down (Beatles song)</span> 1969 single by the Beatles with Billy Preston

"Don't Let Me Down" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, recorded in 1969 during the Let It Be sessions. It was written by John Lennon and credited to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership. The band recorded the song with keyboardist Billy Preston; the single release with "Get Back" was credited to "the Beatles with Billy Preston". Originally released as a B-side, producer Phil Spector excluded the song from Let It Be. The song's first appearance on an album was on the 1970 collection Hey Jude.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free as a Bird</span> 1995 single by the Beatles

"Free as a Bird" is a single released in December 1995 by English rock band the Beatles. The song was originally written and recorded in 1977 as a home demo by John Lennon. In 1995, 25 years after their break-up and 15 years after Lennon's murder, his then surviving bandmates Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr released a studio version incorporating the demo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love (John Lennon song)</span> Song by John Lennon

"Love" is a song written and performed by John Lennon, originally released on his debut solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970). The song's theme is more upbeat than most of the songs on Plastic Ono Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gimme Some Truth</span> 1971 song by John Lennon

"Gimme Some Truth" is a protest song written and performed by John Lennon. It was first released on his 1971 album Imagine. "Gimme Some Truth" contains various political references emerging from the time it was written, during the latter years of the Vietnam War. Co-produced by Phil Spector, the recording includes a slide guitar solo played by George Harrison, Lennon's former bandmate in the Beatles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soldier of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)</span> 1962 single by Arthur Alexander

"Soldier of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)," also known as "Soldiers of Love," is a 1962 song written by Buzz Cason and Tony Moon It was originally recorded by soul artist Arthur Alexander and released as a B-side of the single "Where Have You Been (All My Life)", which reached #58 in the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1962. The song was later covered by The Beatles during a 1963 session at the BBC, released on the 1994 album Live at the BBC. It was also covered by The Kaisers, Marshall Crenshaw, Pearl Jam, Little Steven, and The Derailers.

<i>Everything Changes</i> (Julian Lennon album) 2011 studio album by Julian Lennon

Everything Changes is the sixth studio album by English singer-songwriter Julian Lennon, released on 2 October 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk off the Earth</span> Canadian indie pop band

Walk off the Earth is a Canadian indie pop band from Burlington, Ontario. The group is known for its music videos of covers and originals. The band is well known for covering pop-genre music on YouTube, making use of instruments such as the ukulele and the theremin, as well as looping samples. The band's recorded music and videos are produced by member and multi-instrumentalist Gianni "Luminati" Nicassio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someday (Julian Lennon song)</span> 2013 single by Julian Lennon

"Someday" is a song by Julian Lennon, released exclusively on iTunes on 8 April 2013, Lennon's birthday. The track was added to the 2013 re-release of 2011's Everything Changes. The song includes lyrics from The Beatles' "Baby, You're a Rich Man".

Tim Pierce is an American session guitarist. He has worked for artists such as Joe Cocker, Crowded House, Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Jackson, Beth Hart, Roger Waters, Alice Cooper, Johnny Hallyday, Phil Collins, and the Cheetah Girls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heather Youmans</span> American singer-songwriter

Heather Youmans is an American dancer and singer-songwriter known for her soundtrack work on the feature films, Moondance Alexander (2007), Flicka 2 (2010) and Marley & Me: The Puppy Years (2011). Youmans recently appeared on I Can See Your Voice episode 4 (FOX), other live performances include a UNICEF benefit opening solo ahead of headliners Sting and Natalie Cole in 2005, a National Anthem performance for the Los Angeles Kings on New Year's Eve 2019, and Parade magazine's, She Rocks Spotlight Series, in 2020. Her work has been featured in American Songwriter magazine, Forbes Women and Parade magazine profiled her career and music in 2020. Youmans holds an MBA and is publicist with Fender Guitars, she has written for the Los Angeles Times, and the Orange County Register.

References

  1. ↑ Anglin, Garrett (8 April 2013). "UCLA alum bands together with Steven Tyler, Julian Lennon". Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014. MacLennan, a UCLA alumnus, plays his 12-string Rickenbacker electric guitar alongside Steven Tyler on Julian Lennon's new single, "Someday," set to be released via iTunes today. The three recorded the track at the famed NightBird Recording Studios in West Hollywood...
  2. 1 2 "Jon MacLennan Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  3. 1 2 MacLennan, Jon (12 July 2011). "Fallin' Deeper – Jon MacLennan". Jon MacLennan YouTube Channel. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Jon MacLennan (9 August 2011). Fallin' Deeper (MP3). Weir Brothers Entertainment. ASIN   B005JBC5S0.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Jon MacLennan Biography". CD Baby . Retrieved 8 August 2014. MacLennan worked as a private guitar instructor for the Los Angeles Pierce College Department of Music and also independently instructs several students via SKYPE, which allows him to instruct students from all around the world. With a YouTube channel currently containing more than 250 videos and 1.3 million cumulative video views, his online lessons and performances have become a viral success.
  6. 1 2 3 Malik, Abhay (8 May 2012). "Alumnus Jon MacLennan's iBook 'Melodic Expressions' advances guitar instruction". Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014. '(MacLennan) was one of my most promising students and did things far beyond the call of duty. His material tends to reflect that,' Marshall said. 'As far as I've seen, he's the first one who's done this successfully.'
  7. ↑ MacLennan, Jon (20 November 2006). "Jon MacLennan: About". Official YouTube Channel. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "'Melodic Expressions: The Art Of The Line' Coming To IBookstore". MacTech. 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014. "Melodic Expressions: The Art of the Line," an interactive guitar instructional iBook for the iPad to be released later this month at the iBookstore.
  9. ↑ "Wolf Marshall". UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Retrieved 8 August 2014.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. ↑ MacLennan, Jon. "Play from the heart". GuitarControl. Archived from the original on 24 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  11. ↑ MacLennan, Jon. "BluesGuitar: MacLennan". BluesGuitar.com. Archived from the original on 24 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  12. ↑ Corrigan, John (15 May 2015). "B.B. King dies: Generations of guitarists used 'B.B. Box' to learn how to play". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 15 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  13. ↑ Bienstock, Richard (2020-02-13). "Has the mystery behind Keith Richards' acoustic sound on You Can't Always Get What You Want finally been solved?". guitarworld. Archived from the original on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  14. 1 2 Lucas, Scott (8 May 2012). ""MELODIC EXPRESSIONS: THE ART OF THE LINE" BY JON MACLENNAN". RiffsofWisdom.com. Archived from the original on 24 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  15. ↑ Jon MacLennan (9 August 2011). Melodic Expressions Trailer (Video). Jon MacLennan YouTube Channel. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  16. ↑ MacLennan, Jon (23 April 2012). Melodic Expressions: The Art of the Line. Suspicious Love Productions. ISBN   9780615620183.
  17. ↑ MacLennan, Jon (8 June 2012). Play Ukulele. Suspicious Love Productions. ISBN   9780615655512.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.