Jonah “Funky Lips” Levine
Jonah Levine, a Cali-based musician, composer, and producer who won critical acclaim for his debut album with the Jonah Levine Collective "Attention Deficit" in 2017, has just released his second album, “Love, Loss, Depression, and Pixels.”
Levine’s unique sound and style caught the attention of artists in the hip hop and pop world, and he has performed on Mon Laferte's Grammy award winning album Norma and was nominated for five other Grammys thanks to his contributions to Jay-Z's "4:44," Jhene Aiko's "Chilombo," and the Free Nationals' debut album. He has performed or recorded with Beyonce, Kanye West, Stevie Wonder, Harry Styles, Leon Bridges, and numerous other artists. He has performed at top festival and venues throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
His soon to be released album Love, Loss, Depression, and Pixels is a deeply personal record that explores themes of heartbreak, loneliness, mental health, and finding peace in difficult times. He wrote much of the album during a year-long retreat from Los Angeles to California’s high desert near Joshua Tree.
With his unique blend of influences, Levine is a truly original voice in the music world. He has been exploring the intersection of Black American Music and world music fusion since his days as a student. He earned a B.A. in Ethnomusicology from UCLA, where he studied with notable faculty including James Newton, George Bohanon, and Kenny Burrell. He began collaborating with artists like Anderson .Paak, Iman Omari, and Shafiq Husayn while attending UCLA.
His interest in diverse musical styles dates back to his playing trombone in a gospel band at Temple of Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, California.
In addition to the Jonah Levine Collective, Levine is a founding member of Katalyst, the contemporary experimental instrumental band.