 |
As
a 25 year veteran of the Quebec music scene, performing with
such outstanding acts as: Offenbach, The Buzz Band (Featuring
Jerry Mercer of April Wine), Julie Masse , John McGale and
Toyo and Dan Bigras, to name but a few, John has enjoyed performing
at most major events and venues at one time or another.
From over 200,000 people on St. Jean Baptist
Day, in Parc Maisonneuve Montreal, to 3.5 million on Canada
day on Parliament Hill, John has done it all, but can still
be found playing small clubs in and around Montreal and Northern
Ontario. “There is something about the instant gratification
of performing to people up close that you can’t get
at stadium shows or recordings. These are my roots and its
something I don’t want to leave behind” he states.
John has also been involved in tours for the Canadian army
that has brought him to Bosnia and Croatia in 1993 & 1994,
as well as Israel, Egypt, Haiti, Alert N.W.T., Germany, and
various bases throughout Canada. John has participated in
Music Festivals worldwide, including France, Morocco, Dominican
Republic, Switzerland, and Mexico.
As producer, John has worked with some of
the biggest names in Québec music and in all styles:
Breen Leboeuf. Gerry Boulet, Éric Lapointe, Nanette
Workman, Dan Bigras, France D'amour, Jeff Smallwood, Kim Richardson,
and Roxanne Potvin have all been under John's direction.
As a songwriter, John bas enjoyed hearing
his songs interpreted by Gerry Boulet, Breen LeBoeuf, Céline
Dion, Éric Lapointe, Nanette Workman, Dan Bigras, Julie
Masse, Natasha St-Pier, Mixmania, Toyo, Nathalie Lavoie, Shawn
Philips and Martin Deschamps.
John has also had the opportunity to, enjoy
sharing the stage with such remarkable and unusual performers
such as Jaco Pastorins, Chuck Berry, Shawn Philips, Ewan MacGregor,
John McDermott, Roch Voisine, John Mayall, Céline Dion,
Luba, René Simard, Vic Vogel, Charlie Biddle, Dawn
Tyler Watson, Rita Cicarelli, Thelma Cheechoo, Jim Zeller,
Joe Cocker, B.B. King, The Temptations, Julie Masse, Marie
Carmen, Luce Dufault, Lulu Hughes, Buffy St. Marie, J.J. Cale,
Sonny Landreth, Jimmy James, Anthony Geraci, Steve Hill, Bob
Walsh, Guy Bélanger, and the list goes on …
Born and raised in North Bay Ontario on October
30, 1956, John took an early interest in music and began playing
guitar at the age of 8. During the course of his career, John
also learned to play flute, saxophone, banjo, mandolin, drums,
percussion, keyboards, bass, dobro and harmonica. This musical
knowledge has proved very valuable when arranging and producing
records for both him and other artists.
“I really couldn't be happier with
the direction that life has taken me”, says John, “I've
had some amazing opportunities to play music with the worlds
best players, and continue to love and appreciate what I do!”
That pretty well says it all !
|




|