Music has been part of Jon Wands’ life since age five, when his father—an active gigging guitarist in Carteret, NJ—first taught him piano. Inspired to carry on his father’s legacy, Jon picked up the guitar at 15, learning the Santana, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix tracks he grew up hearing at home. After playing lead guitar in church services for eight years, studying under Steve Vai, and joining Vai on stage for the final jam of the inaugural Vai Academy, Jon brings a rich color palette of modes and emotion to his playing. Today, whether writing original music, performing covers across genres, or teaching private students, his goal remains simple: to inspire others to find their own note.