After growing up in the creative milieu in a private school in Elsinore (DK), and studying with classical percussion professor Bent Lylloff (1976 – 79), he became a student of Copenhagen based American drummer Ed Thigpen (1979 – 85). From 1985 – 86 he completed the Percussion program at The Dick Groove School of Music in Los Angeles, studying with a.o. Peter Donald, David Garibaldi and Luis Conte. And from 1987 until 1989 he studied at The Rhythmic Conservatory in Copenhagen.

1981 – 1986 Jonas played with different Denmark based (funk, soul, rock, latin and fusion) groups. He also joined a Turkish group (“Istanbul Express”) and started playing with the best Brazilian musicians living in Denmark. From 1987 he became one of the most sought after young jazz drummers in Denmark

1990 he became the drummer of The Danish Radio Big Band (now called The Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra = DRJO) where he stayed until 1999. In those years the band did projects with, and accompanied - international jazz stars such as: McCoy Tyner, Joe Henderson, John Scofield, Tom Harrell, Bob Brookmeyer, Toots Thielemanns, Art Farmer, Hermeto Pascoal, Enrico Pieranunzi, Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano, Jerry Bergonzi, Jim McNeely, Mike Gibbs, Maria Schneider, David Sanborn, Steve Swallow and Carla Bley. In 1999 he decided to quit DRJO, in order to concentrate on his freelance career.

Since 1993 he has been playing with Danish world known bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and became permanent member of his trio with Swedish guitarist Ulf Wakenius in 1996. 

In 1992 he formed his own band “Move” with a.o. saxophonist Fredrik Lundin and Swedish bass player Lars Danielsson, and the groups 2nd (and latest) CD “Please Move”, was Grammy nominated in Denmark 2000, in the category “Jazz recording of the year”.

Jonas has also played with a.o.: Johnny Griffin, Renee Rosnes, Doug Raney, Milt Jackson, Toninho Horta, Phil Woods, Monica Zetterlund, Kenny Drew, Ernie Wilkins (and the Almost Big Band), Pierre Dørge & New Jungle Orchestra, the WDR Big Band in Köln, Nogenja Big Band in Stockholm, John Taylor, Eliane Elias and Chano Dominguez.

Jonas received the Ben Webster Music Award in 1991.

Selected Discography:
22 recordings with DRJO among them: Jens Winther & The Danish Radio Big Band 1992 (Olufsen Records, DOCD 5167), DRJO & Django Bates “Like Life” 1998 (Storyville STCD 4221), Eliane Elias, Bob Brookmeyer & DRJO “Impulsive” 2000 (Stunt STUCD 00102).
5 recordings with NHØP, among them NHØP Trio feat. Renee Rosnes “Friends Forever” 1995 (Milestone MCD 9269-2), NHØP “This Is All I Ask 1998 (Verve 539 695-2).
As a leader: "Jonas Johansen MOVE" March 1995 (Music Mecca CD 1057-2) "Please Move Jonas Johansen" April 1999 (Stunt Records STUCCD 19905) (Grammy nominated in Denmark 2000).