Jon Cowherd, an American pianist and composer from Kentucky, began his musical journey at age five with piano lessons. Born to a trombone player father and a classically trained violinist mother, both educators, he also learned trumpet and violin. He studied jazz piano and improvisation under Ellis Marsalis, John Mahoney, and Steve Masakowski at Loyola University in New Orleans. Cowherd co-founded the Brian Blade Fellowship with drummer Brian Blade, releasing albums such as Brian Blade Fellowship (1998) and Season of Changes (2008). As a producer, he has worked on albums by Lizz Wright and Alyssa Graham. His debut album as a leader, Mercy, was released in 2013, featuring Brian Blade, John Patitucci, and Bill Frisell. Cowherd's extensive collaborations include work with artists from jazz, pop, and rock genres, such as Iggy Pop and Rosanne Cash.
