In the mystery that is life, Jonathan Lee Allmett was taken from on August 20, 2007 . He was 36 years old.
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From England to Houston to Japan to Atlanta to Chicago, singer/songwriter/guitarist Jon Allmett brought an enormous amount of life experience to his music. His pop-ready, soulful mix of smart, well-crafted songs had earned him (and his former band, Garrison Field) critical acclaim and ravenous fan support in Atlanta. With his move to Chicago in early 2002, Allmett launched the next phase of his unstoppable ascension into the upper echelons of the music world.
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A lot of people can play guitar, some can even write songs, but it’s rare to come across someone who can do both extremely well and who can sing. That is, really sing from the inside out — with a voice full of passion, conviction, power and soul. Allmett was all that and more. His talent for crafting smart, hook-laden pop masterpieces along with the ability to sing them with confidence, deep soul, and an intensity not often heard on the radio made Allmett a force with which to be reckoned. “Allmett can sing anything and smother it in old school smooth soul,” raved Atlanta’s In Sitemagazine. “His soul grooves sizzle with white hot intensity. He beckons you down a path you’ll never want to stray from. Jon Allmett is that good.”
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After moving to Chicago early in 2002, Allmett began working on new material, showcasing it at clubs around the city. When the songs were road-tested and ready, he co-produced and recorded his new solo album, NOWHERE IS TOO FAR, with former bandmate Aaron Thompson. From the immediately pleasurable sounds of Sermon to the hook-filled pop of Sex And Soulfood, to the emotionally charged, autobiographical Open Wound, Allmett wrote with a keen eye and sang with intensity and forceful purpose. The radio-friendly arrangements and intelligent lyrics are at once thought provoking and danceable, the stories both personal and universal.
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Born in Surrey, England, and raised in Houston, Texas, Allmett began singing at age six. He studied voice and classical music at the Houston School for Performing and Visual Arts, and first performed at age 12 during his sixth grade talent show. His love of music from the Beatles to Stevie Wonder to Sting to Pink Floyd to Paul Simon to Leonard Bernstein led him to begin writing songs and playing guitar at age 17, and he became skilled quickly. He joined the Marines, and, while stationed in Japan, formed his first band, Buzzcat, with Japanese nationals. His singing brought him to the attention of fellow Marines as well as locals and led him to even sing a few gigs with the legendary vocal group, the Drifters, when they performed in Okinawa.
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In the short time he played professionally, Jon turned many heads and made some pretty influential friends along the way. He opened for and sang back-up with John Mayer, who was completely blown away by Jon’s voice. In 1998, Allmett placed second at an open mic contest in Atlanta. The first place winner was none other than india.arie. The two became fast friends, and when Jon’s band Garrison Field recorded their first CD, OPEN, arie sang back-up on two songs. The strength of the CD led The Southern Local Area Band network (SLAB) to name Garrison Field 1999’s Band Of The Year, declaring Allmett and his bandmate’s music as “very funky, very danceable and very addictive. Completely and totally outstanding.” The band’s next album, 2002’s DAWN, received even more widespread critical and popular regional acclaim. Music review site Blah3.comcalled the album “remarkable. Smart well-produced rock with perfect vocals.” 2Walls.com said the CD was “good old-fashioned rock music, a welcome breath of fresh air. Exceptional guitar work, instant hooks, funky and soulful.” Garrison Field toured heavily around the Atlanta region and attracted a large following. In addition to india.arie and John Mayer, some of the other artists Allmett shared stages with include Peter Frampton, Corey Glover, Edwin McCain, Jeffrey Gaines and Simon Phillips.
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On August 20th, Jon, at the age of 36, formerly of Atlanta, GA and most recently of Houston, TX passed away. The obituary reads: Our most giving and loving husband, son, brother and friend slipped from our arms to enter eternal peace. Jonathan was born in Epsom Surrey, England on February 23, 1971. He moved with his family to Texas in 1978 and spent the remainder of his childhood in Houston. He attended the Houston School for the Performing & Visual Arts and graduated from Eisenhower High School and was a current student at The University of Houston. Jonathan joined the Marines and spent four years stationed in Okinawa, Japan and in the Philippines. Jonathan was a professional musician whose incredible voice and stage presence left his listeners spellbound. During his remarkable life, Jonathan wrote and recorded countless original songs both with his band, Garrison Field, and as a solo artist. CDs include "Open", "Dawn", "Nowhere is Too Far", and "Some Trees Grow Bananas". Jonathan touched thousands of lives through his music. He also recorded two Christmas CD compilations for charities. He was the musical director for Camp Twin Lakes special needs camps for the last 8 years. His work with the camp kids was the most significant of his life; every single one of their hearts touched his. Jonathan recently joined Bootleggers Music Venue in Minneapolis as a partner in charge of all booking and entertainment. He also recorded commercials for Earhole Agency, Leo Burnett Agency and Spank Agency in Chicago. He leaves behind his wife, Dr. Michelle Ludwig of Houston, whom he recently married on May 26, 2007, his parents John and Carol Allmett of Panama City Beach, FL, brothers Colin and Justin Allmett of Atlanta, his Nan Iris Poulter of Wiltshire, England, uncles Malcolm and Geoffrey Poulter, and many other relatives in the UK. Jonathan had the most vibrant personality and giving heart of any angel on earth. His generosity to all who had the pleasure of sharing his life will always be remembered. Without him, our hearts are broken and our tears run endless, but our memories and joys are immeasurable. If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever and now the pause in our hearts is from the echo of Jonathan.
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