Jonas Nordwall
Portland, OR
 
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Jonas at the Seattle Paramount durign a practice session, April 2005
 

Jonas Nordwall is an internationally renown virtuoso organist with the unique ability to perform both classical and popular music with equal virtuosity.   For nearly three decades he has toured North America presenting concerts and workshops. International concert appearances include China, Japan and five tours of Australia. He has over 24 LPs, CDs and Cassettes on various labels to his credit. He has appeared on national television in both the United States and Australia, and his recordings are frequently heard on "Pipe Dreams" the syndicated PBS weekly radio program.   He has recently been a guest recitalist and adjudicator for the International Organ Competition in Geneva, Switzerland.

 
Jonas serves as organist for the First United Methodist Church in Portland, Oregon. a position held since 1971, and also is the organist for the Oregon Symphony Orchestra. His has made solo performances with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Portland Festival Orchestra and both the Vancouver, B. C. and Vancouver, Washington Symphony Orchestras.
 
A native of Portland, Oregon, Mr. Nordwall studied with Goldie Poz and received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Portland where he was a pupil of Arthur Hitchcock. Additional study was with the noted English/Canadian virtuoso, Frederick Geoghegan, American virtuoso organist Richard Elisasser and noted composer and organist Richard Purvis.
 
For many years he was the Senior Staff Organist for the Organ Grinder Corporation, which had large theatre organs installed in restaurants in Portland, Denver, and Colorado. Mr. Nordwall has been a very influential force in the musical instrument manufacturing industry having been a product designer, marketing consultant and recitalist for several organ manufacturers.
 
Critical acclaim has been earned by his performances as they bring a fresh vitality for both the new and old listener. Following a recent classical concert by Jonas, a review stated "the program music that followed should be a model for public organ concerts. If more music in this style and nature were heard, the organ might again become an appealing music resource in the public front."
 
Jonas has been a frequent ATOS convention artist and a former organ design specialist for the Rodgers Organ Company. He was interested in keyboard instruments at an early age and started taking accordian lessons at the age of 4. He quickly became interested in the organ and began classical organ studies at the age of 12 . At the age of 18, Jonas began studies in organ at the University of Portland. For "kicks," he served as assistant staff organist at Oaks Park Skating Rink.
 

Jonas' performance on April 4, 2005 helped to raise over $8,000 for the Paramount's organ restoration fund.