J o h n P o n d e l
R i c k 's G u i t a r L e s s o n s
BIO
GRP/Verve recording artist John Pondel (Kombo) launched his professional music
career auspiciously at the age of 21, when he became a member of the Grammy-
award wining Gerald Wilson Orchestra. Playing alongside such notables as Harold Land,
Snooky Young and Marshal Royal for over two years led to further work in nightclubs,
touring, motion picture soundtrack work and recording sessions, as well as his own
career as an artist. As a studio musician and live jazz performer he has worked with
most of the West Coast “luminaries,” including Tom Scott, Art Pepper, Al Jarreau, Steve
Ferrone, Buddy Collette, Dean Parks, Bissonette Brothers, Joe Williams, Don Menza,
Pete Jolly, the Condole brothers, Warne Marsh and many New York stalwarts (including
Jim Pugh, Randy Brecker, George Young, Uptown Horns, Will Lee). In addition to being a
clinician and private instructor for over 25 years, he was the guitar and jazz ensemble
instructor at Concordia College in Bronxville, New York, from 1999-2003. He has also
been a clinician for Yamaha Music corporation and has been an endorsee for Ibanez
guitars and strings. In 2004 he played rhythm guitar on George Benson’s “Take You
Out,” which was nominated for a best Pop Instrumental Grammy. Among the artists
he has recorded with or accompanied live are: George Benson, Bob James, Barry
Manilow, Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Gerry Mulligan, Diane Schurr, Rick Braun, Aretha
Franklin, Joe Williams, Tom Scott, Al Jarreau, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Soul Ballet, Randy
Crawford, Kirk Whalum, Carmen McRae, Dave Koz, Art Pepper, The Dramatics, and
Stanley Clarke. He has performed with many of New York’s leading practitioners of
progressive jazz including Gene Lake, David Gilmore, David Binney, Adam Rogers, and
Scott Colley.
Pondel is a founding member and producer of the seminal acid-jazz group Jazzhole and
the 80s fusion band Uncle Festive. Pondel is also a member of Kombo, an organ/guitar-
based band whose first album “The Big Blast” debuted in the U.S., Europe and Japan in
1999. That album was followed by “Cookin’ Out” in 2001, also for GRP/Verve (Universal).
A partial list of venues where he has performed includes: Carnegie Hall, Madison Square
Garden, Albert Hall, The Blue Note, Ronnie Scott’s, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall,
the Gershwin Theatre, Wembley Arena, the Hollywood Bowl, and Buddha Khan (Japan).
Universal Amphitheatre.
GRP/Verve recording artist John Pondel (Kombo) launched his professional music
career auspiciously at the age of 21, when he became a member of the Grammy-
award wining Gerald Wilson Orchestra. Playing alongside such notables as Harold Land,
Snooky Young and Marshal Royal for over two years led to further work in nightclubs,
touring, motion picture soundtrack work and recording sessions, as well as his own
career as an artist. As a studio musician and live jazz performer he has worked with
most of the West Coast “luminaries,” including Tom Scott, Art Pepper, Al Jarreau, Steve
Ferrone, Buddy Collette, Dean Parks, Bissonette Brothers, Joe Williams, Don Menza,
Pete Jolly, the Condole brothers, Warne Marsh and many New York stalwarts (including
Jim Pugh, Randy Brecker, George Young, Uptown Horns, Will Lee). In addition to being a
clinician and private instructor for over 25 years, he was the guitar and jazz ensemble
instructor at Concordia College in Bronxville, New York, from 1999-2003. He has also
been a clinician for Yamaha Music corporation and has been an endorsee for Ibanez
guitars and strings. In 2004 he played rhythm guitar on George Benson’s “Take You
Out,” which was nominated for a best Pop Instrumental Grammy. Among the artists
he has recorded with or accompanied live are: George Benson, Bob James, Barry
Manilow, Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Gerry Mulligan, Diane Schurr, Rick Braun, Aretha
Franklin, Joe Williams, Tom Scott, Al Jarreau, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Soul Ballet, Randy
Crawford, Kirk Whalum, Carmen McRae, Dave Koz, Art Pepper, The Dramatics, and
Stanley Clarke. He has performed with many of New York’s leading practitioners of
progressive jazz including Gene Lake, David Gilmore, David Binney, Adam Rogers, and
Scott Colley.
Pondel is a founding member and producer of the seminal acid-jazz group Jazzhole and
the 80s fusion band Uncle Festive. Pondel is also a member of Kombo, an organ/guitar-
based band whose first album “The Big Blast” debuted in the U.S., Europe and Japan in
1999. That album was followed by “Cookin’ Out” in 2001, also for GRP/Verve (Universal).
A partial list of venues where he has performed includes: Carnegie Hall, Madison Square
Garden, Albert Hall, The Blue Note, Ronnie Scott’s, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall,
the Gershwin Theatre, Wembley Arena, the Hollywood Bowl, and Buddha Khan (Japan).
Universal Amphitheatre.
EDUCATION
M.M., Jazz Performance (2002)
State University of New York, Purchase, NY
- Jazz arranging with Doug Munro
B.M., Jazz Performance (2001)
State University of New York, Purchase, NY
Attended California State University, Northridge
- Studied with Ron Purcell, John Scammon (classical guitar)
- Member of Studio Jazz Band, Joel Leach, director
Attended Los Angeles Valley Junior College
- Jazz Band, Richard Carlson director
- Jazz arranging with Don Nelligan
Private instruction: Joe Pass, Edwin Miller, Ted Green, Jimmy Wyble
TEACHER AND CLINICIAN
Adjunct Instructor, Adult Education, College of the Canyons, Valencia, CA (2005).
Teaches music appreciation to older adults (3 classes per week). Develops and delivers
lectures.
Adjunct Instructor, Department of Music, Concordia College, Bronxville, NY (1999-2003).
Taught two jazz ensembles of varying size from quartet to nonet. Arranged and developed
repertoire. Taught applied guitar with emphasis on pop, jazz chord voicings, theory and
improvisation.
Guest Instructor, Los Angeles Music Academy (LAMA). On call substitute guitar instructor for
various guitar classes that include funk, jazz and guitar technique courses.
Band Director, New Community Jewish High School, West Hills, CA (2003-2004). Developed
musical repertoire in the Jewish music genres in the Klezmer and Ladino traditions.
Private guitar, jazz and general music theory. Over twenty- five years of personalized,
private instruction for jazz, pop, rock, classical.
Yamaha Artist Representative and Jazz Clinician, 1987-91. Performed jazz concerts and
conducted
Clinics at various music venues and colleges including the University of Wisconsin and
Georgia Tech.
MOTION PICTURES
“Colors United,” Michelle Ohayhan, Director. 1998 Academy Award Nominee (Best
Documentary). Co-Composer, Guitarist.
“Gotti,” HBO Feature Film starring Armand Assante, 1997. Guitarist.
TELEVISION
Composed music for HBO’S “Six Feet Under,” ESPN College Football, Hard Copy, Court TV,
Lifetime.
Has recorded as a guitarist on “The Tonight Show” (Johnny Carson, Jay Leno), “Arsenio Hall
Show,” “Today Show,” “Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “Dallas,” “St. Elsewhere,” “Miami Vice,” “Rock
Concert,” “Midnight Special,” BET, the Discovery Channel, Style Channel, Lifetime, and
numerous NBC movies of the week, telethons and television specials.
TELEVISION AND RADIO COMMERCIALS
Composed music for Century 21, Preparation H, Anheuser Busch, Showtime, HBO and Style
Channel promos, Moet Chandon, and Revlon.
Has recorded as a guitarist for Coca Cola, McDonald’s, Stouffer’s Foods, Mattel Toys,
Albertson’s Markets (Los Angeles), Lumber City (L.A.), Lipton Soup, Bob’s Big Boy, May
Company, Black Angus Steakhouse,
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
Kombo “Cookin Out” (2001) – GRP/Verve , co- leader, composer, all guitars.
“The Big Blast” (1999) – GRP/Verve, co-leader, composer, all guitars (#9 national
airplay, Billboard Top 20).
Bob James “Urban Flamingo” (2006) – Koch, guitarist.
George Benson “Irreplaceable” (2004) – GRP/Verve (Grammy nominee) - rhythm guitarist.
Tribute to Luther Vandross (2004) – “Forever, For Always, For Luther” (Verve Music Group)
Grammy nominee, guitarist.
Rick Braun “Yours Truly” (2005) – Billboard Magazine #1 national airplay, guitarist.
Soul Ballet “Lavish” (9/07 )- Artizen Music Group - lead and rhythm guitars w/Rick Braun
and
Richard Elliot
The Jazzhole Co-leader, producer, composer, all guitars:
“Poet’s Walk” (2006) – Soul Brother Records (Europe), Beave Records (U.S.)
“Circle of the Sun”(2002)- Beave Records
“Blackburst” (2000) – Beave Records
“The Beat Is The Bomb” (1996) – Atlantic Records
“And The Feeling Goes Round” (1995) – Atlantic Records
“The Jazzhole” (1993) – Atlantic Records
Hip Hop Jazz-Acid Metropolis, Vol. 1. (1995) “Forward Motion,” co-composer, producer
(Priority
Records)
Pyschejazzafunkadelic (1996) “Forward Motion” (Instinct Records)
Uncle Festive Co-leader, producer, composer, all guitars:
“Drive Down The Sun” (1992) Mesa Blue Records (#1 national jazz airplay,
The Mac Report)
“The Paper And The Dog” (1991) Mesa Blue Moon Records. Top 10 national airplay,
Radio and Records Magazine, Gavin and Mac
Reports.
“That We Do Know” (1989 ) Denon/A&M Records.Top 10 national airplay,
Radio and Records Magazine, Gavin and Mac
Report.
“Young People With Faces” (1988) Denon/A&M Records Top 10 national airplay,
Radio and Records Magazine, Gavin and Mac
Reports.
Barry Manilow “Ultimate Manilow” (2002) – Arista Records, guitarist.
“Swing Street” (1984) – Arista Records, featuring Uncle Festive, Diane Schurr and
Gerry Mulligan, Guitarist.
“If I Should Love Again” (1981) - Arista Records, guitarist.
“Barry” (1980) – Arista Records, guitarist.
PUBLICATIONS
J.Pondel, R. Pedley, “Para Bueno” (Doug Beach/Kjos Jazz). Arranged for Jazz Band, Jazz
Ensemble Series. Grade 4 (Senior level). Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (ZB150F).
TOURS
Al Jarreau, Kombo, David Benoit, Kirk Whalum, Barry Manilow, Paul Anka, Uncle Festive, Bob
James, Melissa Manchester, Rick Braun.
VENUES (Selected)
Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Albert Hall, The Blue Note, Ronnie Scott’s, Lincoln
Center, Radio City Music Hall, the Gershwin Theatre, Wembley Arena, the Hollywood Bowl,
Buddha Khan (Japan), Universal Amphitheatre.
M.M., Jazz Performance (2002)
State University of New York, Purchase, NY
- Jazz arranging with Doug Munro
B.M., Jazz Performance (2001)
State University of New York, Purchase, NY
Attended California State University, Northridge
- Studied with Ron Purcell, John Scammon (classical guitar)
- Member of Studio Jazz Band, Joel Leach, director
Attended Los Angeles Valley Junior College
- Jazz Band, Richard Carlson director
- Jazz arranging with Don Nelligan
Private instruction: Joe Pass, Edwin Miller, Ted Green, Jimmy Wyble
TEACHER AND CLINICIAN
Adjunct Instructor, Adult Education, College of the Canyons, Valencia, CA (2005).
Teaches music appreciation to older adults (3 classes per week). Develops and delivers
lectures.
Adjunct Instructor, Department of Music, Concordia College, Bronxville, NY (1999-2003).
Taught two jazz ensembles of varying size from quartet to nonet. Arranged and developed
repertoire. Taught applied guitar with emphasis on pop, jazz chord voicings, theory and
improvisation.
Guest Instructor, Los Angeles Music Academy (LAMA). On call substitute guitar instructor for
various guitar classes that include funk, jazz and guitar technique courses.
Band Director, New Community Jewish High School, West Hills, CA (2003-2004). Developed
musical repertoire in the Jewish music genres in the Klezmer and Ladino traditions.
Private guitar, jazz and general music theory. Over twenty- five years of personalized,
private instruction for jazz, pop, rock, classical.
Yamaha Artist Representative and Jazz Clinician, 1987-91. Performed jazz concerts and
conducted
Clinics at various music venues and colleges including the University of Wisconsin and
Georgia Tech.
MOTION PICTURES
“Colors United,” Michelle Ohayhan, Director. 1998 Academy Award Nominee (Best
Documentary). Co-Composer, Guitarist.
“Gotti,” HBO Feature Film starring Armand Assante, 1997. Guitarist.
TELEVISION
Composed music for HBO’S “Six Feet Under,” ESPN College Football, Hard Copy, Court TV,
Lifetime.
Has recorded as a guitarist on “The Tonight Show” (Johnny Carson, Jay Leno), “Arsenio Hall
Show,” “Today Show,” “Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “Dallas,” “St. Elsewhere,” “Miami Vice,” “Rock
Concert,” “Midnight Special,” BET, the Discovery Channel, Style Channel, Lifetime, and
numerous NBC movies of the week, telethons and television specials.
TELEVISION AND RADIO COMMERCIALS
Composed music for Century 21, Preparation H, Anheuser Busch, Showtime, HBO and Style
Channel promos, Moet Chandon, and Revlon.
Has recorded as a guitarist for Coca Cola, McDonald’s, Stouffer’s Foods, Mattel Toys,
Albertson’s Markets (Los Angeles), Lumber City (L.A.), Lipton Soup, Bob’s Big Boy, May
Company, Black Angus Steakhouse,
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
Kombo “Cookin Out” (2001) – GRP/Verve , co- leader, composer, all guitars.
“The Big Blast” (1999) – GRP/Verve, co-leader, composer, all guitars (#9 national
airplay, Billboard Top 20).
Bob James “Urban Flamingo” (2006) – Koch, guitarist.
George Benson “Irreplaceable” (2004) – GRP/Verve (Grammy nominee) - rhythm guitarist.
Tribute to Luther Vandross (2004) – “Forever, For Always, For Luther” (Verve Music Group)
Grammy nominee, guitarist.
Rick Braun “Yours Truly” (2005) – Billboard Magazine #1 national airplay, guitarist.
Soul Ballet “Lavish” (9/07 )- Artizen Music Group - lead and rhythm guitars w/Rick Braun
and
Richard Elliot
The Jazzhole Co-leader, producer, composer, all guitars:
“Poet’s Walk” (2006) – Soul Brother Records (Europe), Beave Records (U.S.)
“Circle of the Sun”(2002)- Beave Records
“Blackburst” (2000) – Beave Records
“The Beat Is The Bomb” (1996) – Atlantic Records
“And The Feeling Goes Round” (1995) – Atlantic Records
“The Jazzhole” (1993) – Atlantic Records
Hip Hop Jazz-Acid Metropolis, Vol. 1. (1995) “Forward Motion,” co-composer, producer
(Priority
Records)
Pyschejazzafunkadelic (1996) “Forward Motion” (Instinct Records)
Uncle Festive Co-leader, producer, composer, all guitars:
“Drive Down The Sun” (1992) Mesa Blue Records (#1 national jazz airplay,
The Mac Report)
“The Paper And The Dog” (1991) Mesa Blue Moon Records. Top 10 national airplay,
Radio and Records Magazine, Gavin and Mac
Reports.
“That We Do Know” (1989 ) Denon/A&M Records.Top 10 national airplay,
Radio and Records Magazine, Gavin and Mac
Report.
“Young People With Faces” (1988) Denon/A&M Records Top 10 national airplay,
Radio and Records Magazine, Gavin and Mac
Reports.
Barry Manilow “Ultimate Manilow” (2002) – Arista Records, guitarist.
“Swing Street” (1984) – Arista Records, featuring Uncle Festive, Diane Schurr and
Gerry Mulligan, Guitarist.
“If I Should Love Again” (1981) - Arista Records, guitarist.
“Barry” (1980) – Arista Records, guitarist.
PUBLICATIONS
J.Pondel, R. Pedley, “Para Bueno” (Doug Beach/Kjos Jazz). Arranged for Jazz Band, Jazz
Ensemble Series. Grade 4 (Senior level). Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (ZB150F).
TOURS
Al Jarreau, Kombo, David Benoit, Kirk Whalum, Barry Manilow, Paul Anka, Uncle Festive, Bob
James, Melissa Manchester, Rick Braun.
VENUES (Selected)
Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Albert Hall, The Blue Note, Ronnie Scott’s, Lincoln
Center, Radio City Music Hall, the Gershwin Theatre, Wembley Arena, the Hollywood Bowl,
Buddha Khan (Japan), Universal Amphitheatre.
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