
John began playing saxophone in 1956 after hearing Clifford Scott’s solo on the
hit record, Honky Tonk by the Bill Doggett Combo. Other inspirations followed; Lee
Allen and Grady Gaines (Little Richard), Herb Hardesty (Fats Domino), Sam Butera
(Louis Prima), Sil Austin, Plas Johnson, Johnny and the Hurricanes, Billy Vaughn
and The Champs. Rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues was sweeping the nation.
John began playing nightclubs in 1958 in Jacksonville, Florida and Bluefield, Virginia
and spent the summers of 1959-62 performing in Virginia Beach, Virginia nightclubs
and continued to perform while in the United States Air Force (1963-1967) both in
the states and in Europe.
In 1973 he graduated from the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida with a
degree in instrumental music education and taught public school band for ten years.
While in college, John performed in classical, pop and jazz ensembles including
jazz concerts with Don Ellis, Maynard Ferguson and Dizzy Gillespie.
John continues to perform with a variety of musical groups in Macon, Georgia including
two show bands playing dance music from the 50’s through today's Top 40 hits. His
bands have performed on stage with The Temptations, The Four Tops, Chubby Checker,
The Drifters, The Platters, The Tams, The Swingin’ Medallions, The Embers, Band
of Oz, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter, The Shirelles and Ray Charles.
John is available to sit in with “party bands” throughout the middle Georgia area.
