Pianist Jon Regen to Release Debut Album 'From Left To Right'
Regen's 1996 instrumental debut album has never been officially released.
New York City-based singer, songwriter and pianist Jon Regen will release his never-before-issued 1996 instrumental debut album From Left to Right via JRM/Symphonic on April 24. Pre-save it here.
Recorded direct to two-track on Carnegie Hall's former Steinway Model D at the Systems Two Studios in Brooklyn, the album captures a young Regen in a trio setting with the late bassist Earl May (Billy Taylor, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker) and drummer Sunny Jain.
In the era before Spotify and CD Baby, Regen sold copies of the self-produced CD at gigs and used it as a calling card around New York. The album's opener, "One for KB," landed him a spot as one of five finalists in the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, securing him press and gigs both domestically and abroad. Not long after the record's release, Regen would be called to anchor the bands of artists like Kyle Eastwood and Little Jimmy Scott, and also take center stage as a solo singer and songwriter.
"It's amazing how much mileage I got out of that recording, even though it was never widely-released," Regen reflects. "I was busy writing new songs and making new records. But after my song 'Fillmore' was used in the thriller Cold Copy, which premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, I listened to the album first the first time in years and I was surprised at how fresh it sounded. I wanted it to be heard. I took a different path with my later records, focusing more on the singer/songwriter side of things, but the album showcases the jazz that's embedded in my DNA."
Regen had the album remastered by legendary engineer Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound and presents the finished package along with the original liner notes from his mentor, Kenny Barron. The record kicks off with "One for KB," dedicated to Barron. Regen will perform it along with other tracks from his debut when he hits the road for a UK tour in May.
The album's release follows Regen's recent appearance on BBC Radio 3's "EARLIER... with Jools Holland," hosted by the pianist and TV presenter, and Regen's 2025 single "Every Time You Walk Away," which spent seven weeks on Jazz FM's A List Playlist after being named Featured Track of the Week.
Jon Regen also just programmed the upcoming NYC Downtown JazzFest. His album Live in London is due out later in 2026, recorded live at the 2025 London Jazz Festival.
Upcoming Shows
May 14 THE UNITED CLUB, Jersey UK
May 16 HAMPTONNE, Jersey UK
Oct 17 PIZZAEXPRESS JAZZ CLUB, London UK
Photo Credit: ARYA DHARMA
Videos