For many, there’s something very special about the season of summer, whether it be the endless days at the beach or the late nights spent with friends. The music of the Jon Garner Trio provides the much-needed vibe of those three carefree months to those who can’t wait for the sunburnt skin and sand between their toes.

The trio consists of Jon Garner (guitar and vocals), Rich Wright (upright bass), and Mikey Cannon (drums), all of whom are veterans of the local music scene. Garner and Wright met while playing together in K-32, a local acoustic beach-rock outfit. Towards the end of 2007, the two decided to start their own band and recruited Cannon, formally of the B Side Players, to play drums for them. After a few months of playing gigs with the moniker of Jon Garner Trio and developing a repertoire of both original songs and covers alike, the band released “. And The Happy Accidents” in 2008.

It becomes obvious after viewing the trio’s eclectic influences, which include the soul music of Stax Records, Miles Davis, Violent Femmes, The Beatles and Tribe Called Quest, that this is one band that is difficult to categorize. Garner describes it as acoustic/electric-California-beach-funk/jazz/neo-soul with a hint of reggae/early-ska. Fans of bands like G. Love and Special, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, and Jack Johnson should find themselves at home with the music of the Jon Garner Trio.

The Jon Garner Trio is heading back to the studio to record their sophomore effort as well as an album of classic reggae and ska covers, inspired by their well received cover of Toots and the Maytals’ “Pressure Drop” on their debut album.

After deciding to cut back on the number of gigs they play each month in order to spend more time writing and recording new material, the band will only be playing one or two gigs a month for now. Anyone who enjoys music that puts your worries at ease and a smile on your face will enjoy the feel good tunes of the Jon Garner Trio.