Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love profile picture

Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love

Life without music would be an error - F. Nietzche

About Me

Born and raised on the south side of Richmond, Virginia, Jonathan Bibbs (better known as Jon Bibbs) is a singer, songwriter, producer and musician who is making quite a name for himself in the independent soul music world. Jon’s musical odyssey began at the tender age of two years old, when his mother, (a Baptist preacher and pastor) enrolled him in piano classes at Virginia Commonwealth University. By age 12, Jon was being heralded as a “musical prodigy,” playing engagements with the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra and playing all of the major stages in the Richmond metro area. Jon enrolled at Hampton University in 1999. While at the university, Jon discovered his vocal abilities at late night recording sessions with dorm-mates and music engineering students. Before long, the secret was out.... Jon could REALLY sing! Once again, Jon became a local sensation; this time in Hampton Roads. In 2001, Jon released his first recording project “True Story”. The CD took off in the local market, and began to turn heads of musical taste makers throughout the eastern region of the U.S. His follow up project “Red: The Color of Love” proved to be a major breakthrough for Jon, garnering him national attention and putting him in high demand throughout the east. The release of his last project, “Unbreakable” (2005) solidified his place in the underground soul music world. Since his entry in the independent soul music industry, Jon has recorded and performed along-side some of the music industry’s best producers, musicians and performers including: Kardi’nal Official, Morris Day & the Time, Kris Haskins, Bilal, Busta Rhymes, John Legend, Anthony David, Mike Philips, Raheem DeVaughn, Sleepy Brown, Stick Man (of Dead Prez), Chuck Brown, Ledisi, Donnie, Jaguar Wright, Jean Grae and Nottz Raw to name just a few. To support his musical endeavors, Jon works in the administration at Richmond Preparatory Christian Academy, heading up the summer session, arts department and technology education programs at the school. He is also the director of and musician for a small choral ensemble, the YJB Ensemble at Sixth Baptist Church in Richmond.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/28/2005
Band Website: jonbibbs.com
Band Members: Jon's band personnel varies from performance to performance.
Influences: Jon's music has been influenced by nearly every form of Black American Music, from the blues to hip-hop, Jon's gift is his ability to pull from the best of our musical heritage. Some of Jon's strongest influences are:
Aretha Franklin - LIVE @ Fillmore West
Gladys Knight - Memories
Stevie Wonder - Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants
Bilal - First Born Second
D'Angelo - Voodoo
Soul Stirrers - Jesus Gave Me Water
Chick Corea - Solo Piano: Originals, Pt. 1 (Live)
Sounds Like: Soul Music!
Record Label: Indie
Type of Label: None

My Blog

The Best Roller-Coaster Ever!

I am relatively inexperienced in the romantic world. This confession comes as a surprise to a lot of people. Given the subject of most of my music and the angles from which I describe the subject, mos...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:06:00 PST

See you in DC!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***************************JON BIBBS @ SOUND BRIDGELIV Nightclub2001 11th St. (@ U St.) NWWashington, DC 20001Virginia's rising soul music star, Jon Bibbs will return to Washingto...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Tue, 15 May 2007 10:09:00 PST

ISO Soprano, Alto and Tenor Background Vocalists

Tour and perform with one of soul music's rising stars: Jon Bibbs!Qualified candidates should: - Have a gospel or soul music background- Have flexible schedules conducive to travel - Have a apealing l...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:42:00 PST

On Banishing the "N Word"

Today, I called someone I know a nigga. I was shocked when he replied: "Don't call me that! We're supposed to be banishing that word!"Nigga what!!!? I don't understand this issue. As a black, educated...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:36:00 PST

Young Gifted and Black: Realigning the Self-Identy of African Youth

In the household where I was raised, there was a standard. There was a clearly defined order of priorities with regards to my social environment. God always came first. After God, came family; then my...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:28:00 PST

A Treatise for Haters

Haterism isn't a new phenomena. It's been around since the dawn of time. Lucifer got kicked out of Heaven for hating on God's omnipotence. Cain slew his brother as an act of hating on Able's more exce...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Fri, 26 Jan 2007 11:36:00 PST

The Day I Opened Up My Heart

Life is funny. Looking back, I can see so many defining moments - moments that contribute to who I am today. However, there is one such moment in which I have found new importance today through conve...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Sun, 14 Jan 2007 01:02:00 PST

Conversation Piece: Soul Music in Our Lives

Do you remember your first taste of soul music? I can't remember mine exactly. I remember when I was growing up our household would be filled with the Motown sound. And while I can't exactly remember ...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:41:00 PST

The last week of 2006

As people across the Western Hemisphere ring in the New Year this evening, I am reflecting on the sweeping hand of death that we saw across the spectrum of American life. In the past seven days we hav...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 06:51:00 PST

How to Thwart the Mainstream's Strategy of Distraction

Living in post-modern times is a sobering endeavor. Our world has become an intensely volatile environment, where wars, destruction, disease and oppression run rampant. With all that is going on, inde...
Posted by Jon Bibbs Says Say YES to Love on Mon, 23 Oct 2006 09:56:00 PST