Guitar with John B.

In New York City, John B. is known for his versatility and has performed in many of the city’s venues. John’s appeal is due, in part, to his long tenure with Cecil Taylor, and with many of Mr. Taylor’s touring ensembles. John has also performed, recorded and/or toured with Craig Harris, Dave Douglas, Ray Anderson, Carlos Ward, Charli Persip, Makanda Ken McIntyre, Butch Morris and Mark Dresser among others. With the agility to move freely through diverse musical idioms, John has performed in the U.S. and abroad as both a sideman and a leader. He has been featured at major venues in Europe including the Saalfelden Jazz Festival, Austria, Staadtgarten in Cologne, Germany, the Vilhsofen Festival near Munich and the Joan Miro Art Festival in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. John also performed throughout Guatemala on a tour sponsored by the American Embassy. For the Spoleto Arts Festival, John recorded a dance piece for Blondell Cummings, with music composed by Butch Morris. Other work with Butch Morris includes live performances of original music for two New York plays--“Modet”, written by Alan Graubard and performed at Aaron Davis Hall, and “My Darling Gremlin,” written by playwright Gregory Tate, performed at The Kitchen. In 2006, John attended an artist – in – residency program with Butch at The Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. As You Were, John’s first CD as a leader, was released in 2000 on the Cathexis label. Musicians on the CD are Kip Reed - electric bass, Robert Aries - keyboards, Jeff Hirshfield - drums and violist, Jim Nolet. In 2008 John released a solo guitar CD entitled ‘Portals’ which employs fresh, daring and newly developed approaches to composition and improvisation. 2008 also marked the release of the 2 CD set, ‘Mahavishnu Re-defined’, a tribute to John McLaughlin and The Mahavishnu Orchestra, a compilation CD consisting of many fine musicians, some of whom have been members of various bands of John McLaughlin’s. John has one song, ‘Way Down’ featured on this CD. John is in "The Great Jazz Guitarists" book (2013) by Scott Yanow. “John is one of those players who mixes incredible chops with overwhelming taste to make you do nothing but scratch your head in wonder.” – Vintage Guitar Magazine (John Heidt) “As You Were immediately qualifies as a must have.” – John McLaughlin Archives Website “… an especially nice vehicle for John's fluid, imaginative approach that easily explains why he can be found in the company of musicians the caliber of Cecil Taylor. Jazz Times “…superb creative instincts... a joy to listen to...scorching, blues-drenched solos.” Jazz Now  *** Lesson Details *** emphasis on improvisation developing your own style soloing, comping, arranging, composition, songwriting *** Studio Equipment *** 1966 Gibson ES330 Guitar, several classical guitars, custom- made Telecaster with Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickups and more guitars... Pre-CBS Fender Vibrolux amp Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp Hartke bass amp Roland Cube 100 amp iPad with iRealBook play along Shure SM 58 mic Audiotech mic Digitech 2120 Guitar Processor Godin SA 100 Series Guitar Synth Axon Sound module Event Studio Monitors Logic Pro 9 Recording Software Finale 2011 Writing Software *** Travel Equipment *** Any of my guitars both electric and classical lunchbox amp *** Specialties *** Jazz, Fusion, Classical Improvisation, Avante Garde ensemble playing theory, harmony songwriting, composition