John is an eclectic musician who plays in numerous musical settings, and is a continuing student of Brazilian jazz. He plays a variety of instruments including bass flute, concert flute, piccolo, pifano, all the saxes, and harmonica. He is a former winner of the National Flute Association's Jazz Flute Master Class and Jazz Flute Big Band Competitions.
John grew up in Missouri, where he studied music at Truman University, and the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. John studied Saxophone with Roscoe Mitchell of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, and as well as Jazz Improvisation with bassist, Richard Davis. His flute teachers have been Lou Danfelt, Norwegian concert artist Gro Sandvik, and cutting edge flutist, Robert Dick. Currently John studies Brazilian Jazz with master musician and composer, Jovino Santos Neto, and annually attends California Brazil Camp.
A seasoned studio musician, John's playing has been featured on over 40 CD's, and many soundtracks, as he is highly adept at playing many styles of music.
He frequently works with the band's, Big Mouth & The Power Tool Horns, Sour Owl, Xibaba, Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Ziji, The Blues Eyes Band, & leads the Backyard Rocket project.
A busy free lance musician, John can frequently be seen playing on many varied venues throughout the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest.