Chicago producer and film composer Steve Jackson (Shonny Jones) has always had an intrinsic connection to music that palpably impacts how he relates to people and understands the world. Described as a “distributor of musical tastes”, Steve respects and values the impact of music on a particular moment so highly that you wouldn’t dare find him playing a random tune while catching a sunset at Promontory Point on a hot summer night; cruising in the car down Lake Shore Drive on a slow Sunday morning; or right before hitting smartbar for a night out. To Steve, the feeling of all experiences can be enhanced through precise musical selection. 

Steve brings these same curatorial tendencies and emotional awareness of music’s impact to his work as a producer and film composer. When you collaborate with Steve, you can trust he will come to the table ready to serve your artistic endeavor with care, technique, and passion, to deliver the highest quality output, within the parameters of your project.

Steve’s deep knowledge of the studio, combined with his clear technical instincts and practical strategies, gives us the confidence to focus on what we do best as artists. He has a rare ability to support the creative process while quietly elevating every technical decision behind the scenes.
-Keith Kusterer of Wicked Drawl

Genre is not a confining factor for Steve and in fact, his portfolio spans worlds: 

  • Jazz (Richie Nuzz, Abe Collier) 

  • Alt / indie (Rhys Steele)

  • Country (Wicked Drawl)

  • Singer-songwriter (Daniella Smith)

  • R&B (Morgan Lee)

  • Rap (Jamie Shriner)

  • Psychedelia (Slerp aka Crisis Actress)

  • Rock (Midwest Blender Company), and more. 

However, you will of course find patterns in anyone’s work, and for Steve that is an inclination toward psychedelia, groove, and vintage recording techniques. But ultimately, genre takes a back seat to Steve’s primary focus: cultivating a meaningful experience for listeners.

“Music has given me so much in my lifetime. All I can hope to do is pay it back in kind.”
-Steve Jackson (Shonny Jones)

When he’s not in the studio or behind the DAW, Steve can be found playing flute around Chicago in the bands The Metalliques and Head, slinging tunes for outside hangs with friends, and trying his feet at salsa dancing. 

~ Daniella Smith