Jonah Smith

Jonah Smith is a critically acclaimed American singer-songwriter. His song, “When We Say Goodnight” was recorded by Bonnie Raitt for her 2022 album “Just Like That…”

In the first months of 2020, Smith released his new single, Listen Close — which received heavy airplay on SiriusXM Coffeehouse, as well as two EP’s — The New Forevers and A Captive Audience For Captive Audience . His latest single, No Time To Wait is a classic soul jam with a message of peaceful resistance. His music ranges over his twenty-year career from soul to folk and Americana and he moves effortlessly on stage between keyboards and guitar. Smith’s vocals bring to mind Steve Winwood and even Ray Charles but his songs are crafted stories with lineage traced back to his love of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon.

His last full length record, Stay Close was released in 2018 and was nominated for Album Of The Year by the Independent Music Awards. It won the award for Best Story Song for his epic true tale, Ocala. Smith wrote and produced the record himself. He raised money through a successful fan-funding campaign, which gained national attention after the story behind Ocala was featured on the front page of the online edition of The Washington Post. His previous record, Easy Prey was a fleshed out affair with special guests like Ruthie Foster, David Hidalgo and Lucius. It was nominated for an IMA for Best Blues Song (Heavy Hangs The Crown).

Smith’s songs are in rotation on radio stations around the country. He has had songs featured on NBC, ABC, FX, and the USA network including Good Morning America and America’s Got Talent where he was a semi-finalist on Season 9. On AGT, Smith received a standing ovation from judges Howard Stern and Howie Mandel after performing his song Skyscraper Blues. He went on to perform three more times that season – two performances were live at Radio City Music Hall.

Smith has toured throughout America as well as Europe and Asia. He has appeared at Bonnaroo and other festivals and has been an opening act and guest singer with artists such as Los Lobos and Little Feat, Taj Mahal, Madeline Peyroux, Martin Sexton and many others. In addition to performing, Smith also produces music in his studio for companies like Native Instruments and has been the voice of international brands.

You’re the real deal. You can play, you can sing…you are terrific. Howard Stern

Jonah Smith’s amalgam of American Roots and soul evokes The Band (Garth Hudson’s accordion on an early record didn’t hurt). The New Yorker

Smith’s folk songs are equally well suited to downtown lounges & rural front porches. New York Times

Soulful music, which calls to mind J.J. Cale & Van Morrison. Wall St. Journal