Mantra – Inhale Exhaust, Exhale Love
May 1, 2010
Video of Jon Watts performing “We Are Lovers of Our Lost Earth” and explaining the mantra “Inhale Exhaust, Exhale Love” at Brooklyn Friends School.
Welcome To Jon Watts.com!
Jon Watts is a dedicated member of the Religious Society of Friends as well as a prolific songwriter and poet. He has spent the last two years touring extensively throughout North America and is now in the studio recording his 3rd full-length album.
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-FAP at the SAYF gathering
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"Together We Compose This Bloody, Bleeding, Beating Drum" at Friends School of Baltimore - April, 2010
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Testimonials from High Schools and Youth Groups
February 14, 2010
Jon Watts stretching before sharing music with the Southern Appalachian Young Friends in Asheville
“Jon has a positive, easy going, AND intensity about him that drew the kids in and engaged them.”
Scott Harrington, Principal at Friends School of Baltimore
“Friend Jon connected well with students from both Quaker and other backgrounds. His vibrant spoken word messages touched on themes of environmental stewardship, peace, equality, justice and other Quaker testimonies with an authenticity and immediacy that expanded the vocabulary of worship for all of us. His message has resonated with us long after his visit.”
John W. Baird, Head of School, Westtown School
“Jon Watts has tapped into a deep-seated yearning in all of us to feel joy and fun, even as we are acknowledging and accepting that the world could use some fixing.”
Tom Hoopes, Teacher of Quakerism and World Religions, George School
“Jon’s honesty about his own experience crosses age boundaries… a magic ability to connect with multi-generational groups.”
Elizabeth Walmsley, PYM Middle School Program Coordinator
“For many Young Friends, the highlight of the conference was Jon’s workshop.”
Alison Duncan, Coordinator of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting YFs
“Jon has a gift with this age group. The audience was rapt during his performance, and I hear a reference to Jon Watts in the halls at least once a week. I feel that he had a special connection with students often labeled as “difficult”. His work is incredibly personal, and deals with anger and frustration in beautiful ways that validate the tough personal conflicts many adolescents face.”
Angie Martin, teacher at North Cross Upper School
“The honesty in his music has the ability to cut through the cynicism most teens have when it comes to adults… I think Jon’s willingness to open himself up to scrutiny by writing and singing about his own, imperfect, spiritual journey allows his audience to listen more openly.”
Friendly Adult Presence at the Southern Appalachian Young Friends gathering
“Our group needed an awakening and Jon really delivered that. At the following conference there was a similar feeling that was a throwback to his workshop… I am so thankful that we could start finding a center again after a couple years of uncertainty.”
Hannah Lorraine Gropper, BYM Young Friends
Jon Watts performing at FGC 2009
Testimonials from Press
January 29, 2010
“Jon has found a passion and a ministry through his music.”
Mark Helpsmeet, Northern Spirit Radio
Listen to the radio interview.
“Reminds me of Eminem or maybe Aesop Rock, except that he’s a Quaker rapping about the Inner Light illuminating the world’s darkness.”
Mike Morrell, Zoecarnate
“The biggest thing to shake up Meetinghouses and make young friends’ hearts throb.”
BikeForth.org
“An extremely talented musician.”
Micah Bales, Earlham School of Religion
Dance Party Erupts During Quaker Meeting For Worship
January 21, 2010
Pendle Hill’s daily Quaker Worship transforms into a raucous dance party as the result of some unconventional ministry from Jon Watts. Filmed and edited by Ben Schilling. The music video for “Friend Speaks My Mind.”
- Lyrics to “Friend Speaks My Mind”, the song featured in the video
Learn more about Jon Watts:
Watch more videos on Jon’s Youtube Channel!
Testimonials from Friends (Quaker) Meetings
January 13, 2010
“I was charmed, amused, and stirred deeply. Jon offered up a river of positive energy that flowed into and was shared by all of us. Oh, and this is not just for younger folk….. lest the hip hop nomenclature confuse or alarm some of our older members. A true poet/troubadour speaks to what binds us together….”
Susan Britton Seyler, Downingtown Friends Meeting
“The impact of Jon’s visit reached beyond individuals. In May, his ministry inspired a series of First Day School programs, which successfully integrated his music.”
Mickleton Monthly Meeting
“There is a Spirit in this man.”
Walter Hjelt Sullivan, Dean of Pendle Hill
“The stories behind the songs and the stories of his spiritual odyssey were profound and joyful.”
Barry Sloan, Mickleton Friends Meeting
“Deeply moving.”
Max Carter, Director of Friends’ Center at Guilford College
“Jon exhibits that glow that comes out of people when their sense of purpose is strong, whose gift comes to fruition knowing he has captured the spirit within us.”
Jim Barton, Chambersburg Monthly Meeting
“Amazingly fresh.”
Niyonu Spann, leader of Philadelphia-based singing group Tribe1
“Jon’s gifts for and passion with music are strong.”
Westfield Monthly Meeting, Cinnaminson, NJ
“While his musical ministry may really appeal mostly to younger audiences, it’s really important that Jon address older people as well because his youth and energy can add a new dimension to their spiritual journeys.”
Betsy Cotton, Solebury Friends Meeting
“Jon’s music and performances are well worth hosting. His concert at Homewood was tons of fun.”
Agnes Bell-Wetheroff, BYM Young Adult Friend
“Remarkably original.”
Chuck Fager, The Journal of the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts
“Singular & Prophetic; Jon’s Quaker cultivated performance style ignites the heart.”
Jennifer Hebben-Bagge, Coordinator of FGC’s “Quaking Caberet”
“Jon’s ability to integrate worship and prayer, by beginning and ending his songs with moments of silent worship, felt particularly centered in the Spirit.”
Mickleton Monthly Meeting
“Jon approaches spirituality intentionally and care-fully.”
The Pendle Hill Website
“Jon’s preparation beforehand was impressive.”
Christine Greenland, Coordinator of the Haverford Quarter, PYM
“Jon’s rendition of There’s a Spirit in Iraq led to a spontaneous moment of silent worship; he allowed this and broke the silence after an appropriate period with an instrumental that allowed the atmosphere to return from somber remembrance to joyful worship.”
Ron Akins, Bethesda Friends Meeting
“Jon’s shared reflections on his spiritual journey among Quakers has encouraged our own self-reflection.”
Valley Monthly Meeting
“Jon paid attention to the way people were responding and modified his program accordingly – e.g. engaged kids with a sing-along.”
Lancaster Monthly Meeting
“Friends particularly enjoyed his song about Tom Fox.”
Kendal Continuing Care Community
“I felt that Jon was amazing! His style is very warm, genuine, and personal.”
Member of Sadsbury Monthly Meeting
“During the event there was a sense of worship and peace. Jon was very adaptable and easy to work with.”
Paris Kern, Stony Run Monthly Meeting
“Always entertaining, often challenging your faith, and occasionally radical, Jon can hold diverse audiences mesmerized with his haunting and probing lyrics of his experience and journey as a Quaker.”
Michael Daley, Solebury Meeting
“I feel quite strongly that Jon was present and so connected with all of us. It was amazing how – as he ministered – there was always a loving and warm smile.”
Attender, Concord Quarterly Meeting
“An unusually talented musician.”
Marcia Ormsby, Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting
“Jon’s gentle Quaker humor, his humility and his approachability were expressions of the Spirit..”