Jonah David started his career at Hopewell Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, playing and recording with Joshua Nelson from 1993–2005. He began touring extensively with reggae bands in New Jersey and in 2000 toured the US with King Django, and Europe with the Brooklyn Funk Essentials. While at The New School he met Josh Werner and Aaron Dugan to form Roots Tonic in 2004, the original backing band for Matisyahu until 2007. Prior to forming Roots Tonic, Jonah and Josh Werner played together supporting MC's and spoken-word poets at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe as well as break dancers with the band Butta. During this time, Roots Tonic recorded four albums and one live DVD which include two RIAA-certified gold records with Matisyahu: Live At Stubb's and Youth, and one record with Bill Laswell, Roots Tonic Meets Bill Laswell. In February 2010 Jonah enlisted in the United States Navy Music Program and is currently a Petty Officer Third Class Musician (MU3). To date, Jonah has been awarded the National Defense medal, Global War on Terrorism medal, and the Navy Pistol Marksmanship ribbon