MUSIC - DC SCENE - FEATURED
Vocalist Lena Seikaly
Lena is a native of Falls Church, Virginia. She is the regular singer for several traditional
jazz, swing dance, straight-ahead, Latin jazz and fusion groups in the D.C. area, and has appeared at
numerous national and international festivals and venues. Her sound is immediately reminiscent of
the great jazz vocalists mixed with the interpretive ingenuity of bebop and modern jazz, while peppering
influence from her Arabic heritage. She has had the pleasure of working and studying with some of the
world’s top names in jazz, as well as classical voice (she is a classically trained mezzo-soprano) and Arabic
music. Lena released her first solo album, "Written in the Stars", a collection of standards and
original compositions in 2009, "Lovely Changes" in 2011 and "Looking Back" in 2013.
Lena can be found entertaining in numerous venues and music festivals in the DC area. Links:
Website,
Reverbnation,
Facebook and
DC Bebop page.
MUSIC - DC SCENE -
Cedric
C. Givens - composer and multi-instrumentalist. Originally from St.
Petersburg, Florida, Cedric's passion for music began when he was a child. First
with playing drums in the school band in elementary and high school, later his
interest evolving into playing both the guitar and piano. While growing up, he
says his most significant musical development originated amidst his "garage
band" experience when he and his musical friends would gather at his house for
jam sessions. They played R&B, Rock, Fusion and Jazz. They tapped into the
"essence of the funk" and played the music of groups like the Parliament
Funkadelic and the Ohio Players. This is the musical life force that energized
him and the other members of the band. After graduating from high school, Cedric
attended and graduated from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL where he
obtained a degree in Business. Out of college, he returned to St. Petersburg
where he taught himself how to play the piano. He says this instrument "became
the foundation for much of his songwriting and performing". He began
collaborating with guitarist Roberto Tyson to write songs together to record
their first album "Nemesis Bleu" (1997). Cedric says he went on hiatus for a few
years, but "got the spark again after having an opportunity to sit in on stage
with musical giant George Duke". Cedric and guitarist Roberto Tyson reconnected
on new material for a new group "N-GROOVE" which resulted in the creation of the
“It’s who we are” (2008) CD. This CD features Senegalese bassist Cheikh Ndoye
who collaborated on the project. Cedric is working on the next N-Groove CD which
he says revisits his R&B and Funk roots. Links -
WebsiteReverbnation, and
DC Bebop.
Paul Carr - Saxophonist, Educator, Bandleader, Composer, Producer
Paul, a Houston native and 1985 Howard University graduate, has dedicated his professional
career to mastering the saxophone and the art of Jazz. He carries on the Texas tenor tradition
espoused by great heroes such as the late Houstonians Arnett Cobb and Don Wilkerson who
served as his early idols and mentors. He grew up in inner-city Houston, Texas and was a
member of the Kashmere High School Stage Band, whose director, the late Conrad Johnson,
is the subject of a documentary, Thunder Soul, produced by actor, Jamie Foxx. Though never
having had private music lessons, Paul has received several outstanding musician awards at
high school and college jazz festivals.
Paul is passionately committed to the education of children and particularly as it relates
to the preservation of jazz. In 2002, he founded
The Jazz Academy of Music Inc, which hosts
summer camps and jazz ensembles for kids throughout the year. Several of his students
have been admitted and even received full scholarships to some of the top music schools
and conservatories in the country.
Paul has recorded 8 CD’s, which have been well received by critics and jazz fans alike. His new
CD “The Real Jazz Whisperer” features Allyn Johnson, Michael Bowie, Lewis Nash and will be released
September, 2020. His CD “DC-NYC Organ Sessions” reached #9 on the Jazz Week radio play charts. His
CD released in 2013, “Standard Domain,” reached #3 on the Jazz Week radio play chart and stayed on
the chart for 16 weeks. Paul has toured Russia, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Central
and South America and has shared the stage with many of the greatest names in jazz. Paul was a
favorite of President Clinton during his term in office and Paul performed at many of the Clinton’s
private events. He also did a special performance for the late King Hussein and Queen Noir of Jordan
at their residence in Aqaba, Jordan.
In 2010, Paul re-established the East Coast Jazz Festival as the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, and
serves as its Executive and Artistic Director. The festival enjoys over 2,000 attendees that travel
from states across the U.S. and beyond. Held every Presidents Day weekend in Rockville, MD, the
festival incorporates a strong educational component, with a high school band competition and free
master classes for students as well as an entertainment component with performances by NEA Jazz
Masters, such as Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, and Roy Haynes, just to name of few.
Links:
Website,
Reverbnation,
DC Bebop - MAJF and Paul's
DC Bebop page
Elijah Jamal Balbed - Saxophonist, composer
- Elijah is a native of Washington, D.C. In a Washingtonian Magazine article, he said he first wanted to become a martial artist,
but in high school his enthusiasm and interest was captured by his desire to play music. He immersed himself in the pursuit of music as a career and the fruit of his efforts were realized.
"In 2007, Elijah earned a Maryland Distinguished Scholar award, an Overall Best Soloist award in the Maryland Band Director’s Association Big Band Festival, and a Best Soloist
award at the 2008 Festival Disney Jazz competition." Elijah was recognized for his abilities by the Washingtonian Magaine in 2009, and twice by the Washington City Paper,
which in 2010 named Elijah "Best New Jazz Musician" and then in 2013 the paper named him "Best Tenor Saxophonist." In an interview on JazzCast, he says he began taking
private lessons from Saxophonist Paul Carr while attending Albert Einstein High School, and with the encouragement of his private tutor and school teacher, Joan Rackey, he began
taking his music more seriously and decided to actively pursue a musical career as a life goal. Links:
Website,
Reverbnation,
FacebookBandcamp,
SoundCloud, and
DC Bebop page
Janine Gilbert-Carter - Vocalist
- Music, in all its forms, has been a part of Janine's
life from the beginning. She was introduced to gospel, Jazz and blues at a very early age
by her parents and grandmother. Her "musical journey" began in the church as a member of
the choir in Aliquippa, PA. From her singing there, opportunities to sing expanded with
"solo performances as a member of the Bach Choir of PA, which performed for some of Braodway's
most exciting musicals," and she continued to pursue music as a life goal.
Janine moved to the Washington DC area in 1988. In the summer of 1996, She launched her
career with a performance at the New Genesis Baptist Church. Since then she has performed
as a soloist or with groups in the DC area. She has shared the stage with notable artists
such as Tramaine Hawkins, Oleta Adams, Regina Bell, Ann Nesby and Donnie McClurkin and Sweet
Honey in the Rock for WPAS's Annual Gospel concert held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC."
She has performed at many DC jazz venues over the years. During her jazz performances, "she has
shared the stage with area-wide jazz musicians like pianist Aaron Grave, Vince Smith, Eric Byrd,
Chris Grasso and Ron Elliston; bassist Wes Biles, James King, Saxophonist Paul Carr and percussionist
Nasar Abady, Jeff Neal and the late Ricky Loza and Mike Smith."
Janine's style has earned her recognition through the awards received at numerous competitions.
Her discography on CD Baby: "Good Spoke To Me" (2003), "In the Moment" (2003), "A Song For You"
(2006), In A Silent Tear (2009), "At Last" (2013), "The Classic Sounds of Christma" (2017) and
"My Foolish Heart" (2018).
Janine can be seen at Laporta's Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, VA every Thursday night, and at venues
in the wider DC area, and abroad when she is touring. Links:
Website,
Reverbnation,
FacebookSonicbids,
YouTube, and
DC Bebop page.
Amy Shook - Bassist, composer and songwriter. Amy holds two bachelor's degrees (performance
and composition) and a master's degree (performance) from the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. She also performs and teaches with
various teaching artists, led by pianist Fred Hughes. The members of this ensemble are integral components of the Washington Performing
Arts Society's (WPAS) Capitol Jazz Project in affiliation with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz At Lincoln Center. Since settling in the
Washington DC area in 2003, Amy has become "one of the most in-demand upright bassists" in the metropolitan DC and Maryland area. She is
a versatile musician, able to play "jazz standards as well as new music." Amy co-leads "The Amy Shook Quartet" with drummer Frank Russo,
and her husband, Pat. She is featured on singer/songwriter Felicia Carter's 2008 double CD release Feather/Step Lightly, as both a performer
and an arranger of the music. In 2009, they released "So Far From Home" on Summit Records, which features original music by Amy and Pat.
In 2011, Felicia Carter and Amy Shook released their first CD collaboration "Nothing To Do," receiving great acclaim. In the summer of
2013, Amy joined the Fred Hughes Trio (Fred Hughes, piano, Amy Shook, bass and Frank Russo, drums), performing for audiences up and down
the east coast and the trio recorded a live DVD. In 2013, Amy joined Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra backing up Maurice Hines'
TAPPIN' THRU LIFE for critically acclaimed performances at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. and the Cleveland Playhouse in Cleveland, OH, where
Sherrie and Amy met pianist Jackie Warren and formed the powerhouse trio 3Divas. 3Divas went on to more critically acclaimed performances of
TAPPIN' THRU LIFE in Wilmington, DE at the Delaware Theater Company, Off-Broadway at New World Stages in New York, at Penn's Landing Playhouse
in Philadelphia, and a live webcast concert version of the show at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Jazz At Lincoln Center in New York. Since then,
they have released 3 more critically acclaimed albums, "Love Letters" in 2015, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" in 2015, and "Matrix" in 2016.
They also did a TV performance of the show, filmed live at the Katherine Hepburn Performing Arts Center in Old Saybrook, CT, for The Kate TV
series' 2nd season, airing in April of 2017. She has performed at numerous East Coast Jazz Festivals, including the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival,
and has shared the stage with Lionel Hampton, Jane Jarvis, Claudio Roditi, Al Grey, Bill Watrous, John Stowell, Greg Gisbert, Ingrid Jensen,
Ethel Ennis, Slide Hampton, Paquito d'Rivera, Ali Ryerson, Maureen McGovern, Dee Daniels, Lanny Morgan, Jim Snidero, Frank Lacy, Walt Weiskopf,
Greg Boyer and Bobby Watson."
Links to -
Website,
Facebook,
YouTube and
DCBebop page.
David Dyson - Bassist, Songwriter, Arranger and Producer -
David began playing the bass when he was 12. He played bass in school, church, local bands and participated in studio
sessions with local gospel artists. He followed his musical dream, attending and graduating from the Berklee College of Music.
After which, he was the bassist for Saxophonist Walter Beasley. In January, 1989, he was called to audition for Maurice Starr
(Producer of New Kids On the Block) and was hired as the bassist the for the show and eventually rose to the position of musical
director. Since then he's toured and worked with artists such as Kirk Whalum, Bob James, Chico Freeman, Tim Hagans,
Terumasa Hino, Jonathan Butler, Me'shell N'degeocello, Rick Braun, and Najee to name a few. He can be heard backing
many musicians on albums. Over the years, he has released a few albums of his own. He recorded "Soulmates" (1999), he
also joined Trumpeter Tim Hagans and producer Bob Belden to write and record two CD’s in that same year. In 2004, he released
"The Dawning," on his own label "Lohandfunk," and released his third CD “Unleashed!” in 2008. David often
performs with Pieces of a Dream and is featured on several of their CD's. He performs worldwide. Catch a performance at a venue
near you. Link to
Website,
Facebook,
Reverbnation,
YouTube,
Discography and
DC Bebop page.
Earl
Carter - Guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer
- When Earl was 11 years old he bought a couple of books and began
teaching himself to play the guitar. At 15 years old he began learning to play
saxophone and performing in the school band, marching band and jazz ensemble.
His bio says he practiced both "diligently" but eventually chose the guitar to
be his main focus. He was a member of the "14 Karat" band and later played with
"EU", recording music on the soundtrack of Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing"
movie soundtrack. In "1999 he laid several guitar tracks for many artists at
Diddy's New York City recording facility, 'Daddy's House'." Earl has performed
with many groups and played many styles of music from dance/go-go to jazz. He
has been a studio musician, co-produced dialogue recordings for motivational
speakers and sports stars, and he has performed with a host of local and
world-renowned artists. To name a few, he has performed with Bobby Lyle, Marcus
Johnson, Jaared, Alyson Williams, Nick Colionne, Bob Baldwin, Michael Lington,
Angela Bofill, Regina belle, Gerald Veasley and opened for Pieces of a Dream,
Spyro Gyra, Bona Fide and many others. He released "My Paradise"(2007), "X
Project" 2009. Two EP's in 2011 "Yeah Mon" and "Summertime", and his "Welcome
Back Carter" album in 2013, all of which can be purchased on CD Baby.
Links:
Website,
Private Music Lessons,
Reverbnation, and
DC Bebop page.
Wayne Wilentz - Pianist and bandleader, originally from New York, moved to the DC area in 1989
and has played Brazilian Jazz in the nation's capitol since then. Before coming
to DC Wayne was a keyboardist and composer for the '80's funk band "SKYY", and
received a gold record commemorating their #1 Album "Skyy Line" on Salsoul
Records. During his career he has performed with such famous R&B acts as Carl
Gardner's Coasters, The Shirelles, The Marvellettes, and Jimmy Norman. Since
moving to the DC area, Wayne has recorded on a number of CD's, many of which he
co-produced. In 2004, Wayne released his first compilation of original material
entitled "Break of Dawn". It featured vocals by four of DC's finest jazz
singers, Pam Bricker, Patrick Desantos, Nicki Gonzalez and Steve Washington.
Over the years Wayne has done many sessions for ESL Music and Thievery
Corporation, and can be heard on remixes by them. The Wayne Wilentz Quartet released
Recordar E Viver (2008). Wayne performs regularly in the DC area. Check his calendar for coming performances.
Links:
Website,
Reverbnation,
SoundCloud,
Facebook,
YouTube, and
DC Bebop page.
Sharón Clark - Vocalist
- "Washington, D.C. standout Sharón Clark has brought festival and concert audiences to
their feet across the globe. Her New York run drew raves from the NY Times and the Wall Street
Journal, and she won New York’s Bistro Award for Best Vocalist. Ms. Clark has made countless international tours, from Europe to Israel to Russia, where she has developed a major following.
Ms. Clark won the Gold Medal and $10,000 top prize at the Savannah Music Festival's American
Traditions Competition. She then took first place in the Billie Holiday Vocal Competition,
which offers a $2,500 prize along with a featured appearance with the Baltimore Symphony.
For her most recent recording, “Soulful Serenity,” Ms. Clark teams up with long-time collaborator
Paul Carr on tenor saxophone, along with Bruce Barth and Chris Grasso (piano), Herman Burney and
Michael Bowie (bass), and Lewis Nash (drums). Her previous release, “Do it Again — My Tribute to
Shirley Horn,” drew raves and is on its third printing. Ms. Clark has performed as a featured soloist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony,
and the Baltimore Symphony. She performs regularly in New York at the Iridium and the Metropolitan
Room and in DC at Blues Alley, the Kennedy Center, and Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club. Clark has
headlined the DC Jazz Festival as well as the East Coast, Mid-Atlantic, Cape May and Savannah music festivals. Both the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and The Ludacris Foundation chose
Ms. Clark to perform for their separate tributes to Quincy Jones. "
~ Website Bio Links:
WebsiteFacebookSonicBidsYouTubeDC Bebop page.
Tony
Harrod, Guitarist and Bassist
DC born Rhythm and Bass Guitarist Tony Harrod has been performing with a
band since his 9th grade girlfriend convinced him to play with a group at a
social club dance. The band (The Mar-Tribs), had three solid songs. Two fast and
one slow; "Baby Baby Don't Cry" by the Miracles. This performance
launched Tony's professional career, but interestingly enough, it was not the first
public performance. Back in the day, he started his musical career at a very
tender age on a Mickey Mouse wind-up guitar, but the artist in Tony would not
allow him to wind it. He strummed and sang "Blue Suede Shoes" while standing
on the front porch of his house and people walking by would give him money for
his performance. He knew he had a career in music ahead of him. Since that time, Tony has
played with many bands over the years. He is the consummate guitarist, performing as a studio musician and with many local musicians.
His repertoire runs the gamut, from Reggae tunes with "Englishman", to Jazz with Karen
Lovejoy & The Lovejoygroup, and R&B with "One Nite Stand", Tony lays down
the rhythm. He released his own CD "THP" Tony Harrod Project in 2004. Links:
Website,
Facebook,
One Nite Stand,
YouTube and
DC Bebop page.
Chris Grasso, Jazz Pianist.
Chris is a Washington, D.C.-based jazz pianist who specializes in
working with vocalists. He is the Music Director for Sharon Clark, one of DC's most in-demand
jazz vocalists. They can be seen and heard performing in numerous venues, and have appeared
together on many stages, from the National Mall, as part of the Duke Ellington Jazz
Festival, to the Cape May Jazz Festival. Chris has performed with Denise Thimes, Matt Wilson, Avery
Sharpe and Albert Rivera, closing the show after Dave Brubeck's performance at the 2010 Litchfield Jazz
Festival. He has performed live on WPFW, Washington, D.C.'s jazz
station, with jazz greats Keter Betts and Buck Hill. He has appeared with the
Ken Peplowski/Chuck Redd Quartet, and with New Orleans' historic jazz family,
the Jordans. Chris has made multiple appearances at what was formerly the the
East Coast Jazz Festival, and continues the tradition through what is now the
Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. He has performed at a number of closed historical venues like
the One Step Down and the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe in DC. He continues to perform at major venues in the
Washington, D.C. area, including Blues Alley, Twins Jazz, Bohemian Caverns, the Kennedy Center,
and the Music Center at Strathmore. Chris serves as Music Director at several local venues
in the Washington D.C. area, and performs regularly with a number of local vocalists such as
Sharon Clark, Lena Seikaly, Kristine Key, Sara Jones and others. Links:
Website,
Facebook,
Sam Hill Bands,
YouTube and
DCBebop page.
Kristine
Key, jazz vocalist
- Kristine "began her performing career at age 10 when she
sang "O HOLY NIGHT" for her elementary school’s Christmas Program." She followed
her musical interest by taking voice lessons in high school and later private
lessons, which included instructions at the Berklee College of Music and the New
England Conservatory. She is noted for and complimented on her singing and
performance versatility and has performed "in formats ranging from a piano vocal
duo to a big band." Kristine "has shared the stage with such talents as Nancy
Wilson, Branford Marsalis and Arthur Prysock. In Boston she was nominated for
Outstanding Jazz Vocalist-Boston Music Awards." While living in Boston, she
received
positive press in articles that spoke
highly of her talents. In one it was written that she is "an accomplished
performer in the fullest sense of the word, in the manner of Josephine Baker and
Mae Arnette. She sings with great warmth and ease and ingratiates herself with
an audience with her breezy, sophisticated air." Kristine is now living in the
Washington DC/Baltimore area and performs at a number of local functions and
jazz venues. Links:
Website and
Reverbnation .
Larry
Brown is a straight-ahead jazz pianist, performing in the
Mid-Atlantic region. He received his Bachelors Degree in Music Theory from
Towson University, where he studied with arranger/composer Hank Levy. He earned
his Masters of Music degree from Catholic University in Washington, DC, where he
studied Composition and Electronic Music with Professor Emeritus H. Emerson
Meyers, who died in 1990. Larry released, “Hard Bop Cafe” which "reprises the
hard-bop style of the legendary Blue Note era" in 2006, and later that year the
group received the WAMA (Washington Area Music Association) award for "Best Jazz
Recording for 2006" and a Wammie award for "Best Jazz Group". He launched his
next album, “Peace” (Lush Life Records in 2008), with a CD release party at
Blues Alley in Georgetown. Larry is noted for his "rendering of ballads”,
and his unique style again brought him to the attention of the Washington Area
Music Association (WAMA), which awarded his band "the Best Jazz Group for 2008".
Larry and his group can be heard performing at many venues in the Mid-Atlantic
region. Links: DVD, "Live At The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival" (2011), CD, "Peace" (2008),
CD Review,
Discography,
Website and his
DC Bebop page.
Margot
MacDonald, Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist
- Margot is from Washington DC and released her debut album
"Rising" (2004) at the age of 12. "Rising" received MASC honors and two Wammie
nominations for Best Vocalist and Song of the Year. She released her second
album "TORN" (her sophomore album in 2007). She was awarded the Young
Artist Award from the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest for her song "Serendipity". The
song "Quiet Hero" also placed in the Rock category. Margot recently
graduated from The Duke Ellington School of the Arts high school in Washington
DC, and says she has switched from being a full-time student/part-time musician
to full-time musician/part-time student to study graphic design. She has a
new NYC-based manager but will continue to be based out of DC. She
released her latest album "
Walls" in 2009. About
her new CD, On Tap Magazine wrote "She sings like she has 40 years of life
experience. On “Walls,” she showcases a voice that can bring to life a song that
is almost twice her age..." Margot says her music, "is less modern rock and more
indie. I use a loop pedal to do live vocal harmonies and other fun toys like
bottles onstage". She tours as a solo artist and with a full band. Links:
Reverbnation,
Facebook,
Website,
YouTube,
Sonicbids and
Discography
Sharon Thomas tenor and soprano saxophonist.
From Washington DC, Sharon is also a flautist and keyboardist. The piano was her
first instrument. From this start, she began playing drums, the flute, and ended
with the sax. She began playing sax in high school and said "believe it or not I
wanted to hang out with the sax players after hearing Grover Washington and
several funk songs that had horn sections". She started a career in computers as
a programmer and a web designer, but after being laid off several times due to
riffs, realized that she had the sax to fall back on. She says "its a struggle,
but I love performing and touching others through my music and I have been doing
it full time as a career for 4 years. Since starting her musical career, Sharon
has jammed with a number of well-known bands. More recently she has been
performing locally with the band "Uncharted Waters", which features flautist
Arch Thompson. Her band, The Sharon Thomas Experience, has performed with
Ginuwine, Ralph Tresvant, Dawn Robinson of EnVogue, Mr. Cheeks, Tony Terry, and
Teena Marie just to name a few. Sharon is committed to her musical journey and
to sharing her musical talents with the world. Sharon can be seen and heard
performing at numerous venues in the DC area. Links:
Reverbnation,
Facebook,
YouTube and
DCBebop
page.
Singer,
songwriter, Natalie York, is
originally from Vienna, Virginia. She says she developed an interest in
songwriting early in life. She remembers writing lyrics in the 5th grade. In the
summer following the 8th grade, she attended a UVA Young Writers Workshop, and
her path was found. She says she returned to the program each year until
graduating from high school. In college, she studied jazz at the University of
Miami and in December 2010, released her first album of songs, "Threads" as
senior project for her Hornsby program at the University of Miami.
"Threads" was praised by the Washington Post as being "one of the best local
releases of 2010". Natalie's style has been compared to several well
known female vocalists, but "she credits a Washington artist for inspiration:
I grew up listening to Eva Cassidy and am just in awe of her.”
On December 16, 2010, Natalie was honored to be the first graduate from the UM
Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program. Armed with her degree and a
will to sing and write, Natalie returned to the DC area to launch her music
career. Locally, she might be heard singing at the Hard Rock Cafe, the Rock &
Roll Hotel, Jammin Java, IOTA Club & Cafe, Madam's Organ and at the Birchmere
Music Hall, to name a few. Links: CD, "
Threads" (2010),
Reverbnation,
Website,
Facebook,
Sonicbids and her
DC Bebop page.
Matt
Rippetoe, Saxophonist
from Washington, DC. Matt began playing the sax at age 15. He
left DC for a while to freelance in Pittsburgh and travel the world as a cruise
ship musician, but eventually returned to DC to pursue his music. These days, he
may be heard and seen at local venues performing with the
Dan Roberts Band, Joe Herrera's Landscaping
Crew,
The Vampire Monkeys,
Dog Fashion Disco,
Touch Acoustra,
Will Rast & Friends, and also
the Oscillators. From experience
gained by working with funk groups to metal bands to straight-ahead jazz
quartets, Matt has cultivated a unique sound and musical approach.
Check out Matt's latest CD, "
BOINK" (2007), and
BandCamp.
John
Lewis, Guitarist and vocalist - Is originally
from Indiana, and says his musical journey began shortly after high school when
he took his guitar in hand and headed west to pursue his first passion - music.
He lived in San Diego performing first as a soloist in coffee houses and
lounges, and then with other musicians in and around the city. The music
of the groups he performed with covered the spectrum of genres, Rock,
Reggae, Calypso, Funk, and Jazz. While exploring his musical side, John
was also working towards another goal. He graduated from San Diego State
University with a French Major. He moved to the South of France for a year
where he says he "drank wine, studied French and jammed with the locals". France
is where he developed his "love for the international grooves of East and West
Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil, and South America". He returned to San
Diego and organized the band "Tropical Madness", which performed Soca, Reggae,
and Brazilian Jazz. In 1992, John moved from San Diego to Washington, DC.
In DC, he obtained a degree in Linguistics, with an emphasis on American
Sign Language from Gallaudet University.
In step with his academic goals, John said he was also motivated to be
"innovative" about his musical direction. To this end, he developed a
unique guitar style and sound. He says this unique sound is a result of
how he "employs a nylon string guitar and a Guitar synthesizer", which produce a
"rich bass bottom end". John can be seen and heard performing solo
or with the 'ElectroKoustic duo' , which is (occasionally) John performing with
flautist Arch Thompson at local venues in the DC area.
Links -
Facebook,
SoundCloud,
DC Bebop
and
Website