Jon Gold brings together musicians from Brazil, Argentina, the United States and Nigeria on “ASHIA,” a jazz-driven collaboration shaped by rhythms from across the globe. Inspired by a friendship with someone from Cameroon and time spent with his family, the song takes its name from the Cameroonian word “Ashia,” which can express gratitude, sympathy and empathy depending on the context.
The track moves with an unmistakable sense of joy, drawing on echoes of legendary Cameroonian musician Richard Bona, Cape Verdean calypso and Brazilian samba. The different influences meet naturally throughout the arrangement, giving “ASHIA” a rhythmic character that feels both international and deeply connected to the cultures that inspired it.
The recording itself reflects the scale of the collaboration. Musicians across North America, South America, and Africa contributed to the track, with two-time Grammy nominee Mauricio Zottarelli on drums and Jackson Lourenço on bass representing Brazil. Juan Lucangioli from Buenos Aires provides the vocals, while American horn player Will Allen adds the brass and Nigerian musician Ofat delivers the closing tenor solo. Despite being recorded across three continents, the musicians come together with a remarkable sense of cohesion.
For Gold, “ASHIA” carries a meaning that extends beyond its musical influences. The song is dedicated to the people of Cameroon and their ongoing struggle for peace. Its message is ultimately rooted in gratitude, empathy, and the belief that these qualities are essential to finding happiness and connection.
The single also introduces a new chapter in Gold’s work. After years of focusing on jazz and Brazilian music, he is using “ASHIA” as the beginning of a broader project that draws from musical traditions around the world. The song will appear on a full album planned for early 2027, featuring original compositions performed by musicians from multiple continents.
Gold’s relationship with music began in the San Francisco Bay Area, influenced by his brother Jay Gold, who worked as General Manager of Mushroom Records. After taking up piano, Jon performed with the Palo Alto School District Jazz Band and was selected to perform with Dizzy Gillespie for a KQED-TV special. His interest in Latin and Brazilian music later led him to Brazil, where he received a fellowship from the Brazilian government and taught at PUC-Rio, working with figures including A.C. Jobim and Hermeto Paschoal. He later returned to the United States and settled near New York, continuing to release music with an array of acclaimed musicians.
Listen Now:open.spotify.com/album/2bYS2sL5IfM
Follow Jon Gold:@jongoldmusic