Delaware Water Gap-based pianist and composer Jon Gold steps into a vibrant new direction with the release of his original single “ASHIA.” Departing from his recent focus on jazz and Brazilian music, Gold unites world-class musicians across three continents in a boundless, joyful celebration of the Cameroonian word “Ashia,” a term rich with meanings that include gratitude, empathy, and solidarity.
Inspired by a meaningful friendship with a Cameroonian whose family introduced him to the cultural depth of the word, Gold created “ASHIA” as a heartfelt tribute to the people of Cameroon in their ongoing struggle for peace. The track weaves together echoes of legendary artist Richard Bono, the calypso rhythms of Cabo Verde, and touches of Brazilian samba, resulting in a seamless fusion that pulses with pure energy and leaves listeners smiling from start to finish.
The international cast features two-time Grammy nominee Mauricio Zottarelli on drums and Jackson Lourenço on bass (both from Brazil), sweet-voiced Juan Lucangioli from Buenos Aires on vocals, the crisp horn work of Will Allen from the USA, and a stunning tenor saxophone solo by Nigerian musician Ofat. Remarkably, the entire recording was captured across North America, South America, and Africa yet comes together with seamless cohesion, a true labor of love with no artificial intelligence involved.
“Ashia is ‘gratitude’ amongst a thousand other meanings,” Gold reflects. “If we do not practice gratitude, then we can never be satisfied or happy.”
“ASHIA” serves as a tantalizing preview of a full album planned for early 2027, which will further explore original compositions influenced by global traditions and performed by musicians of the highest caliber from multiple continents.
About Jon Gold
Jon Gold’s musical journey began in the San Francisco Bay Area, where his brother Jay Gold, then General Manager of Mushroom Records, home to the band Heart, instilled in him a deep love of blues and jazz. Gold took up piano and was selected to perform with Dizzy Gillespie as part of the Palo Alto School District Jazz Band for a special on KQED-TV.
He later developed a passion for Latin and Brazilian music, earning a fellowship from the Brazilian government to teach at PUC-Rio. There he worked with giants including Antônio Carlos Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, and multi-instrumentalist Carlos Malta, performing in major Rio venues and on Brazilian national television at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy.
After returning to the United States and settling near New York City, Gold has released several albums featuring acclaimed players such as Dave Liebman, Zach Brock, Jon Irabagon, Howard Levy, Tom “Bones” Malone, and Harvie S. His most recent album, Bossa of Possibility, earned 4.5 stars from DownBeat magazine.