2023 Mass Cultural Council Grant Recipient
“A creatively inventive songcrafter” – Metronome Magazine
Bio
Musician and songwriter Jon Waterman has been performing his original songs along with blues, rock and country standards throughout his life. His music is influenced by intriguing characters and stories from history, the roots of the music he loves, and the diversity of the human experience. His song “Sultana” which tells the story of the Civil War steamboat disaster was selected to be featured at the Sultana museum in Marion, AR. Waterman has presented his programs “A Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music” and “Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends Through Song” in venues around the country, both in person and virtually. He has an M.A. in Popular Music History from Prescott College, an M.A. in Psychology from Kaplan University, and a B.A. in History from Northern Arizona University.
Live Music Making History Live
Jon Waterman creates and performs programs that use music to inspire enthusiasm for and a desire to explore history. The shows consist of carefully researched original and traditional songs, stories and narratives and a slide show. Each program has a historical theme, and further themes are being developed. Currently the themes are:
- A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
- Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends through Song
- The Railroad through Song
- Popular Music and Veterans
“A Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music” by Jon Waterman is a unique performance experience combining music history, storytelling, and original songs inspired by his research. Waterman successfully transforms fascinating tales from history into an evening-length performance that feels personal, contemporary, and politically relevant. A must see for anyone interested in American history or American music!” – Sara Swifter, Director, MAGMA, Gloucester, MA
For more information, please email [email protected]
Videos
Sultana
Sultana is the duo of musicians and songwriters Jon and Li Waterman. They perform together on the Live Music Making History Live programs “A Journey through the Roots of Popular Music”, “History and Legends through Song” and “Music and Veterans”, and on other shows as well. Li is a classically trained guitarist and singer who has played in bands Alien Tesh and Jim’s Kitchen.
Shows
E.B. Newton Cultural Center
Winthrop Library
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6pm
Popular Music and Veterans
45 Pauline St., Winthrop, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Winthrop Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Springfield City Library
Saturday, Nov. 9 2pm
Popular Music and Veterans
220 State St. Springfield, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Springfield Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Methuen Senior Activity Center
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2pm
Popular Music and Veterans
77 Lowell St., Methuen, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Methuen Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Acton Senior Center
Thursday, Nov. 14- 1pm
Popular Music and Veterans
30 Sudbury Rd, rear Acton, MA
Jonathan Bourne Library
Saturday Nov. 16 2pm
Popular Music and Veterans
19 Sandwich Rd, Bourne, MA
VFW Post 1385
Saturday, Nov. 2, 7pm
Popular Music and Veterans
16 Cross Rd, Uxbridge, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Uxbridge Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Acton Senior Center
Tuesday, April 9 – 1pm
Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends through Song
30 Sudbury Road, Rear Acton, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
The Stevens Memorial Library – Ashburnham
Thursday, Sept. 12 – 6pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
20 Memorial Dr, Ashburnham , MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Ashburnham Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Blandford Historical Society
Thursday, April 18 – 7pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
2 North St, Blandford, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Blandford Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Wilmington Memorial Library
Thursday, Sept. 19- 2:30pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
175 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Wilmington Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
The Gardner Museum
Thursday, Sept. 26- 7pm
The Railroad in Song
28 Pearl St, Gardner, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Gardner Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Scranton Library – Johnson Community Room
Wednesday, April 24 – 6pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
801 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT
Barre Public Library
Thursday, Oct. 17- 6pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
19 Pleasant St, Barre, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Barre Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Rochester Council on Aging – Veterans Social Group
Thursday, May 2 – 5pm
Popular Music and Veterans
67 Dexter Lane, Rochester, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Rochester Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Beverly Seniors Center
Thursday, May 9 – 2pm
The Railroad in Song
90 Colon St, Beverly, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Beverly Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
BATV
Wednesday, May 15 – 7pm
Popular Music and Veterans
390 Boston Rd , Billerica, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Billerica Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Brookline Seniors Center
Wednesday, May 22 – 1pm
The Railroad in Song
93 Winchester St, Brookline, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Brookline Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Walpole Public Library
Wednesday, May 29 – 7pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
143 School St, Walpole, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Walpole Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Walnut Street Coffee Cafe
Saturday, June – 8pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
157 Walnut St, Lynn, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lynn Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Lawrence Heritage State Park
Visitor Center
Saturday, June 8 – 2pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
1 Jackson St, Lawrence, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lawrence Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Berkley Historical Society
Berkley Town Hall – Council on Aging
Thursday, June 13 – 6pm
Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends through Song
1 N. Main St, Berkley, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Berkley Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Gore Place Museum
Carriage House
Wednesday, June 26 – 7:30pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
52 Gore St, Waltham, MA
A $21 admission charge supports the museum
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Waltham Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Marblehead Farmers Market
Saturday, July 6 – 9:15am
217 Pleasant St, Marblehead, MA
Sandwich Center for Active Living
Thursday, July 18 – 1pm
The Railroad in Song
70 Quaker Meetinghouse Rd, Forestdale, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sandwich Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Franklin Public Library
Saturday, July 20 – 3pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
118 Main St, Franklin, MA
Jacob Edwards Public Library
Jon & Li
Thursday, August 8 – 6:30pm
Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends through Song
236 Main St, Southbridge, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Southbridge Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Webster Public Library
Jon & Li
Thursday, August 15 – 6:30pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
2 Lake St, Webster, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Southbridge Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Plymouth Public Library
Jon & Li
Saturday, August 17 – 2:00pm
A Journey through the Roots of American Popular Music
132 South St, Plymouth, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Plymouth Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Bellingham Senior Center
Jon & Li
Friday, August 23 – 1pm
Popular Music and Veterans
40 Blackstone St, Bellingham, MA
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Bellingham Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Contact