Growing weary of the strict limitations and practice regimes that were imposed with his training, he gave up the piano for good. He had started working in a music shop at the age of fourteen and was repairing guitars, drum kits, and various other kinds of instruments by the time he was fifteen. He felt that the best music came only from rock musicians and effectively closed himself off from other sources.

When John went to college to study Music Technology, he met three very different, but decidedly inspiring people, who changed the way he saw music. He was particularly struck with their openness to all styles, their intimate knowledge of instruments, and their love of technology. Any doubts John had about his future being in music vanished with his rediscovery of his inherent passion for music, and inevitably, for his original instrument, the piano. In his time at college, John worked obsessively, not only on his own work, but also on the work of others; working long hours to make sure that people on his course were not struggling with the things that came naturally to him. John played on every single recording made that year, totalling more than 100. He played guitar, bass, piano, and drums; on many tracks made by the students, he played all the instruments. His three mentors were so impressed with the way John worked and with his music, that he was immediately offered a job teaching adult classes.

John then left college for University to study Music Composition & Technology, where he studied with the great Howard Burrel, Timothy Blinko, and the eccentric but brilliant Dave Smith. The influences received from these people would leave a deep but pleasing scar across Johnís repertoire, which can be heard by listening to any of his tracks.

Currently, John is working on an album entitled 'Seven Layers'. however, he plans to release three versions of the album: one experimental, one 'radio friendly', and one classical.

His philosophy of music: Don't over-complicate. Many, many people can play extremely quickly and intricately, but with today's technology, the use of musicians is becoming more of an inconvenience than a pleasure. You have to have something that makes you stand out from the rest, and simply showing off how well you can play doesn't count for much anymore. It's simple...write memorable songs that you know are perfect and don't stop working until you are happy; if no one else likes them, at least you do, and that means that you were right - they were perfect.

John currently resides in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, with his long suffering partner, Angelita. His philosophy on life is somewhat easier to read (probably because he stole it from his favourite author), "There's always a little more toothpaste in the tube. Think about it".

Contact: johnh@classicalmatters.com

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