Testimonials
“…witty, smart, raw.”
- New York Times
"...irresistible... my face hurts from smiling."
- Alison Krauss
"…the arch-elf of American music…"
- Charleston Gazette
"Billy Jonas is one of the most original, moving and simultaneously hilarious performers I've ever seen. Each song enters an unexpected world of its own, creates a film, a state of being, an unexpected. seemingly extemporaneous story; your story and mine, seen through the brilliant lens of Billy's muse and loving heart.”
- Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary)
"Our K-5 students absolutely LOVED Billy’s show at our school. The kids were captivated by his unconventional instruments. It was a wonderful experience to make music with him and to have him share his talent for storytelling through song with our students. 55 minutes of JOY!"
- Smithfield Elementary
"Billy is one of the most talented, charismatic and creative performing artists I know! Whether leading soulful prayer services geared towards adults or captivating children of all ages...he has the uncanny ability to move bodies, delight hearts and transform souls."
- Cantor Bat-Ami Moses (Temple Israel, Columbus, Ohio)
"Billy Jonas pulled together an incredible and diverse group of musicians for a holiday fundraiser for peace for our spiritual community. He filled the room with a singing, dancing, laughing crowd, and we all left better for having been there. Billy builds community wherever he goes, spreading his positive energy and joyous spirit with generosity."
- Rev. Laura Collins (Jubilee! Community Church, Asheville, NC)
"Some of the best family music I’ve ever heard.”
- Ezra Idlet (Trout Fishing in America)
“…lush talent … musically rich … hilarious … lovely … a near perfect blend of great music and playfully educational messages.”
- Parent’s Choice
- Parent’s Choice
“Billy Jonas is a multi-layered, percussion-driven, tribal rhythm, urban harmony and folk music maestro.”
- Ear Candy
"What a privilege to host Billy Jonas for a weekend of concerts! Traveling through Shabbat worship was joyful, spiritual and took us places we hadn't imagined. His Saturday night concert had us laughing but also moved us emotionally. And his interactions with our religious school families won them over from the first beat.”
"Billy Jonas is genuinely AWESOME. He kept the kids energized, engaged, and eager to keep learning. At the end of the program, the kids wanted to keep going because they were having so much fun! With all the rave reviews that we received from both kids and parents, Allied Arts will DEFINITELY be bringing Billy back for Summer 2024!”
- Ear Candy
"He engages the audience with a wild assortment of rhythm and word play that usually leaves them both entertained, and a little more in touch with their spiritual selves. He teaches, through experience, that music is everywhere."
- Sing Out! Magazine
- Sing Out! Magazine
"The kids were so entranced by his performance.
It was beautiful to watch...as they learned about
self love, citizenship, and the joy of learning. He was such a joy to work with."
- Benson Elementary
"What a privilege to host Billy Jonas for a weekend of concerts! Traveling through Shabbat worship was joyful, spiritual and took us places we hadn't imagined. His Saturday night concert had us laughing but also moved us emotionally. And his interactions with our religious school families won them over from the first beat.”
- Rabbi Larry Milder (Congregation Beth Emek, Pleasanton, CA)
"Billy Jonas is genuinely AWESOME. He kept the kids energized, engaged, and eager to keep learning. At the end of the program, the kids wanted to keep going because they were having so much fun! With all the rave reviews that we received from both kids and parents, Allied Arts will DEFINITELY be bringing Billy back for Summer 2024!”
- Allied Arts
“… exquisite craft!”
- Sing Out! Magazine
“… wild winded word magic!”
- Dirty Linen Magazine
- Dirty Linen Magazine
“… great live show!”
- David Dye, World Café
- David Dye, World Café
“…you cant help but sing along!”
- Performing Songwriter Magazine
- Performing Songwriter Magazine
"While others … have tried to distinguish themselves with fashion or gimmicks, Billy Jonas uses genuine originality and a style that evolved naturally from his experience, to create memorable music that is both intellectually fascinating and frequently danceable, all the while avoiding the cliches."
- George Graham (public radio host/music reviewer)
- George Graham (public radio host/music reviewer)
… first class … compelling, humorous, beautiful and brilliant! … the highlight of our season.”
-Ron Clearfield, Conductor, Blue Ridge Orchestra
“Within minutes, Billy gets all ages - truly - out of their chairs, fully participating in movement and spirited music. His lyrics and kavvanot (intros) help us think about our humanity, our Jewish heritage of values and teachings, and our connections/responsibility to nature. On the stage, the rhythm and sound of visually-captivating, found objects, each with its own story, make for an unforgettable prayer-concert.”
-Adam Stock Spilker, Rabbi, Mount Zion Temple St. Paul, MN
"Billy is a phenomenon! He is engaging and inspiring. All of us—from the littlest ones to their parents and grandparents—were dancing in the aisles to his magical beat. "
- Rabbi Joseph Skloot, WHC, Washington DC
"It's like nothing you've ever heard and yet it immediately becomes part of your playlist. In an era where music is predictable and formulaic, Billy Jonas breaks the mold and captures your heart...forever"
- Craig Taubman
" ... a 'jaw dropper!' ... truly extraordinary, explosively creative, hilarious and consummately authentic. Billy stirs my soul ... he's one of a kind.
- Rick Recht, performer
" ... a 'jaw dropper!' ... truly extraordinary, explosively creative, hilarious and consummately authentic. Billy stirs my soul ... he's one of a kind.
- Rick Recht, performer
“... take(s) people to a place of both depth and joy ... to capture wonder and take spiritual risks.”
- Cantor Ellen Dreskin, HUC-JIR, NY
"Congratulations on a job well done! What an awesome night!"
- Cantor Rebecca Robins, Temple Sinai, Washington DC
- Cantor Rebecca Robins, Temple Sinai, Washington DC
“... Billy raised spirits all over our congregation.... he has a gift for engaging people and drawing them into worship....”
- Rabbi Leah Lewis, Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot, Irvine CA
“Billy’s performances are highlights for our program, and the kids keep singing his songs all summer.”
- Seth Kellam, JCC Youth Director, Asheville NC
“...A true gift to the world of Jewish music.”
- Elana Jagoda, Peninsula Temple Beth El, San Mateo CA
“Billy Jonas Band ... is an amazing mix of talent, energy, education, spirit, and fun all rolled into one..... Great with the adult audience at an evening show, and great with the children’s show the next day.”
- Rabbi Neal Katz, Congregation Beth El, Tyler TX