"You have some great stuff going on here! Dynamic phrasing and great chops. Very impressive works."
- Todd Seitz (Stygia)
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"This is a very talented musician I ran across on myspace. His guitar works are superb and are only going to increase in taste and colour. keep an eye and ear on this guy, he is an up and coming talent that deserves attention."
- Larry and Robert (professional producers/musicians)
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"THIS GUY HAS DEFFINATELY CLIPED THE STRATASPHERE!!!! YOUR A FANTASTIC MUSICIAN MAN WOW!!! WAY INSPIRING!!!"
- Vision Project (Solo artist)
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"WOW! John I just love your music man!
I't s really good! Great Vibe, Great Taste! I really enjoy your wonderful music man!"
"Te felicito por lo que haces, es increible que solo llevas 5 años tocando, suena como 20."
- Juan Carlos Coronado (Solo guitar extraordinare)
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"You are very talented. Don't stop! I've got you cranked!!!!"
- Daniel Christopherson (Solo guitar extraordinaire and producer)
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"I really like the 2 songs great note choice and great feel."
- Jason Macedo (Solo guitar extraordinaire)
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"John, you're a great player and what's even more impressive is that you are only 18 and have been playing for just 5 years.
I'm very impressed.
Don't ever stop trying to be better:-)"
- Des Sherwood (Solo artist)
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"You have a great tone! Keep it!"
- Vertigo (progressive rock band)
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"You're a very talented musician. I wish you all the best. Keep up the good work"
- Charly Sahona (Solo guitar extraordinaire and Lion Music artist)
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John's interest in music started at the age of 6 in Venezuela, after watching his father play the guitar, but it wasn't until he was introduced to bands like Queen, Yes, and Genesis, that made music his path to follow.
Although a music fan, John didn't pick up the guitar until his first year in high school at the age of 13. Like many at the time, he was floored by players like Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, and Zakk Wylde, and took the time to study their musical approaches. The moment of truth occured when John discovered Dream Theater. From that point on, John has focused on writing and performing music in the progressive genre, and studying/listening to other high-caliber players such as Greg Howe, Richie Kotzen, Allan Holdsworth, Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, Guthrie Govan, and Brent Mason, to name a few.
John is currently completing his studies at Berklee College of Music, where he has studied with Jim Peterson (Najee), T. Lavitz (Dixie Dregs, Jazz is Dead), Craig Hlady, and Lenny Stallworth.
Performance credits include John Blackwell (Patti LaBelle, Utada Hikaru, Prince, Justin Timberlake), Chuck Wicks (Chart-topping country artist), and recordings with Danny Shirley (Confederate Railroad) and Cody McCarver (Solo artist, Confederate Railroad), and has worked with producer Gary Mielke (Steve Allee, Fareed Haque, and others) at The Static Shack Studios.
I use Ernie Ball/Musicman guitars, Fender acoustic and electric guitars, Ibanez acoustic guitars, Yamaha classical guitars, Tech 21 effects, MXR effects, and Fender amplifiers.
