As a professional singer and guitarist for the last 30 years, John has performed with John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Johny Winters, Paul Simon and Huey Lewis. Bo Diddley once stated John as "one hell of an entertainer." As a blues guitarist, there are few his equal. Instrumental virtuosity coupled with a unique vocal style are his trademarks.John has been teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area for 25 years now. His credentials include both private instruction and group instruction for places such as Gavilan College, South Valley Music Conservatory, Morgan Hill Adult Community School, and breakout sessions at Harmonica Masterclass Workshops all around the world. John is also a published author with Mel Bay Publications.
Performance and Stage Appearances
- Monterey Bay Blues Festival Blues in the School Concert – Seaside, CA – April 20, 2007
- Biscuits and Blues, San Francisco, CA, featuring the John Garcia Blues Band – January 24, 2007
- J. J.’s Blues Club, San José, CA, Pleasure Kings featuring Gary Smith and John Garcia – January 6, 2007
- Monterey Blues Festival, Monterey, CA, School of the Blues All-Stars Band – June 25, 2006
- Bach to Blues – Gavilan College Theater (Solo) – February 24, 2006
- Blues on the Green, Kincaid Park, Anchorage, Alaska, with Ike Turner, John Lee Hooker, Jr., and Jude Bowerman
- Blues Central Club, Anchorage, Alaska – June 8, 9, and 10, 2005
- Slippery Noodle Inn, John Garcia Blues Band, featuring Kenny Smith (drums) and Mike Morrison (bass) Indianapolis, IN – May 6 and 7, 2005
- Bach to Blues (Solo), Gavilan College Theater – February 25, 2005
- School of the Blues World Tour 2004 – 2005. Performed with Nick Moss and Billy Branch, Chicago – Best Western Midway Hotel/Elk Grove Village, IL – October 21, 22, 23, and 24, 2004- Biscuits and Blues – John Lee Hooker, Jr. Band, Featuring John Garcia, San Francisco, CA – September 11, 2004
- Monterey Blues Festival, School of the Blues All-Star Band, Monterey , CA – June 25, 2004
- School of the Blues World Tour, 2004 – 2005, featuring Norton Buffalo, Gary Smith, Sonny, Jr., Steve Freund, Mitch Kasmare, and Dave Barrett (Performances and Workshops), San José, CA, San José Hilton June 18, 19, and 20, 2004
- Bach to Blues (Solo), Gavilan College, Gilroy, CA – April 23, 2004
- John Garcia and Dave Barrett Michiana Blues Tour 2003 featured at Zimmies, Union, MI. Legends at Notre Dame University of Notre Dame, IN and Midway Tavern, South Bend, IN (Blues Workshop included)
- Harmonica Master Class and School of the Blues Tour (Performance and Workshops) New York - August 1, 2, and 3, 2003
- Harmonica Master Class (Performance and Workshops), Hilton, San José, CA – June 27, 28, and 29, 2003
- CD Release – “Serious Fun” – Dave Barrett and John Garcia, J.J.’s Blues Club – May 24, 2003
- J.J.’s Blues Club – Guitar Extravaganza, with John Wedemeyer, Jeramy Norris, Rene Solis, and Laura Chavez – March 20, 2003
- Battle of the Blues Harmonicas! Presented by Mark Hummel, Harmonica Master Class, School of the Blues, and Hohner Harmonicas, featuring James Cotton, Mark Hummel, James Harmon, Dave Barrett, Jr., Watson, Paul DeLay, and John Garcia, Catalyst Club, Santa Cruz, CA – Sunday, January 19, 2003
- Sly McFlys – John Lee Hooker, Jr. Band, featuring John Garcia, Monterey, CA – December 21, 2002
- Sly McFlys – John Garcia Blues Band, Monterey, CA – February 15, 2002
- School of the Blues Grand Opening Concert, featuring the School of the Blues All-Star Band with John Garcia and special guest Mark Hummel, San José State University – March 20, 2002
- Expresso Garden and Café – Gwen Avery, Soul Singer, and Blues Master Guitarist John Garcia “Blues and Soul” – May 26, 2001
- Harmonica Master Class (Performance and Workshop), Hofstra University, New York – 2001
- Biscuits and Blues (CD Release Party) – “To All My Heroes” – John Garcia Band, San Francisco, CA – July 6, 2001
- “Bathtub Gin and Blues” (CD Release Party) – John Garcia Band, Sunnyvale, CA – May 25, 2001
- Performance at Sly McFlys, John Garcia Blues Band, Monterey, CA – May 5, 2001
- Sly McFlys, featured with John Lee Hooker, Jr. Band, Monterey, CA – April 21, 2001
- J.J.’s Lounge, featured with John Lee Hooker, Jr., San José, CA – February 9 and March 17, 2001
- Sly McFlys, John Garcia Blues Band, Monterey, CA – October 6, 2000
- Biscuits and Blues, featured with John Lee Hooker, Jr. – July 20, 2000
- Legends of Blues Harmonica, Montgomery Theater, San José, CA, June 10, 2000 (Performances and Workshops). Worked with Paul Oscher, Mark Hummel, Lee Oskar, R.J. Mischo, Sonny, Jr., Phil Wiggins, Tom Ball, and Kenny Sultan, as well as Brendan Powers, Annie Raines, and Dave Barrett.
- Monterey Bay Blues Festival, featured with John Lee Hooker, Jr. and his Blues Gang – June 20, 1999
- Legends of the Blues Harmonica, Montgomery Theater, San José, CA (Performances and Workshops) with Howard Levy, Magic Dick, Gary Smith, Lee Oskar, Jerry Portnoy, Andy Santana, and Gary Primich – June 12, 1999
- Napa Blues Festival with John Lee Hooker, Jr. and his Blues Gang – July 4, 1998
- Blues on the Green Festival, Kincaid Park, Anchorage, Alaska, performing with John Lee Hooker, Jr., Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, R.L. Burnside, and Rod Piazza and the Mighty Fliers – June 13, 1998
- Dave Barrett and the Harmonica Master Class Workshop presents Legends of Blues Harmonica, Performances and Battle, San José Civic Auditorium, June 6, 1998: appeared at workshop, Hilton, San José, CA with Gary Smith, Andy Just, Mark Ford, Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, Rick Estrin, James Harman, Billy Boy Arnold, and Lee Oskar – June 5, 6, and 7, 1998
- Solo Act, 10th Anniversary, St. Catherine’s Church, Reach Out Benefit, Morgan Hill, CA – 1996, 1997
- Harmonica Master Class, Backed Lee Oskar, Andy Just, and Gary Smith, Morgan Hill, CA – September 2, 1995
- “John Lee Hooker Tribute,” KKUP Benefit, downtown J.J.’s Club, Band Performance – June 11, 1995
- South Valley Music Conservatory Faculty Concert (Solo Artist) Gavilan College Theater, Gilroy, CA – June 3, 1993
- Solo opening act for the Coasters, Wheeler Auditorium, Gilroy, CA – June 7, 1991
- Worked with the Fifth Dimension, Pleasanton County Fair – July 7, 1991
- Monterey Bay Blues Festival, John Garcia Band – June 24, 1989
- Played 9th Annual Fountain Blues Festival, John Garcia Band performing with Otis Rush, Earl Brown, Johnny Heartsman, and Little John Crisley, San José, CA – May 7, 1989
- Performed at J.J.’s Blues Festival/Barbecue (First Annual) – August 22, 1987
- Backed Katie Webster at J.J.’s Lounge, San José, CA – November 1, 1985
- Jerry Lewis Telethon, San José Convention Center, with Deacon Jones – September 2, 1985
- Performed at Tapestry in Talent, San José, CA – November 1, 1985 and 1987
- Opened and backed Bo Diddley at the Rockin’ Blues Sunday, with Nick Gravenites, Gary Smith, Finis Tasby, John Broadway Tucker, Lady Bo, and Ron Thompson and the Resisters, San José County Fairgrounds – June 30, 1985
- Opened and backed Bo Diddley at the Old City Hall, Gilroy, CA – July 2, 1985
- Performance with Little John Chrisley, Cherry Jubilee Festival – 1984
- Opening act for Greg Kihn Band, with Little John Chrisley – March 9, 1984
- Headline act, San Benito County Fair, Hollister, CA – 1983 to 1988
- Opening act for Box Car Willie, Santa Clara County Fair – August 14, 1983
- Played with TC.B. (Taking Care of the Blues), T.C.B. Productions. Lester Chambers New Blues Band (formerly of the Chamber Brothers) , Monday Night Blues, Hollywood, CA. Played at the Improvisation Club, North Hollywood, CA – December 4, 1982
- Opening act for Huey Lewis and the News, performing with Little John Chrisley – March 18, 1983
- Performed with Elvin Bishop at the Santa Cruz/Watsonville Fairgrounds – July 25, 1981
- Opening act for John Lee Hooker, San José Center for Performing Arts in Concert – September 14, 1980
- Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras – 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1987
- Gilroy Garlic Festival - 1979 – 1992
- Lead Guitarist and Frontman with John Lee Hooker and the Coast to Coast Blues Band, 1975-1980, while performing in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and playing at Carnegie Hall with “Boogie and Blues,” with Clifton Chenier, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Honey Boy Edwards, Walter Horton, and John Lee Hooker - April 10, 1979
- First Festival of the Blues with Willie Dixon’s Chicago Blues All-Stars, featuring Jimmy Rogers, Walter Horton, Left-hand Frank, S. P. Leary, Billy Branch, Sunnyland Slim, and John Lee Hooker and the Coast to Coast Blues Band, Mexico City, Mexico – October 12, 13, 14, and 15, 1977
- Lead Guitarist with the Gary Smith Blues Band - 1970 – 1974
Recordings and Albums featuring John Garcia
- History of the Blues Harmonica “Live” (CD) – Releasing in 2008
- Mel Bay’s Blues Guitar Method, Level II (CD/Book) by John Garcia and Dave Barrett (Improvising the Blues) – Releasing in 2008
- “Just Me” – John Garcia, Solo C.D., “Live in the Studio” – Soon to be released in 2008
- Author of School of the Blues Lesson Series, Mel Bay’s Blues Guitar Play-along Trax (CD/Book) by John Garcia and Dave Barrett – 2006
- Cold As Ice – John Lee Hooker, Jr. (CD) featuring John Garcia. TeLarc Label – 2006
- Monterey Bay Blues Festival Presents “We Are the Blues.” School of the Blues All-Star Band – “Live” featuring John Garcia. CD – 2005
- Blues with a Vengeance – John Lee Hooker, Jr. Blues Band – Kent Records. Grammy Nominated – 2004
- Serious Fun – Dave Barrett and John Garcia (CD), Harmonica Master Class Company – 2003
- John Garcia – “To All My Heroes” (CD) Blues Hero Records – 2001
- John Lee Hooker, Jr. – “There’s a Struggle” (CD Single) – John Garcia (Guitar) and John Lee Hooker (Vocals) – 1998 (Unreleased)
- Mel Bay’s Basic Harmonica Method by Dave Barrett (CD/Book), with John Garcia on Guitar – 1998
- Performed in Mel Bay’s Complete Classic Chicago Blues Harp Instructional Series (CD/Book) with Dave Barrett (Harmonica) and John Garcia (Guitar), Hillview Recording Studio, Morgan Hill, CA – 1998
- Recording Sessions with Paul Simon for the movie soundtrack and album “One Trick Pony” – 1979
- Featured as Lead Guitarist and Frontman on Blues Singer John Lee Hooker’s L.P. (CD), The Cream, Tomato Records, “Live” at the Keystone, Palo Alto, CA – 1978
- Featured on John Lee Hooker’s Rising Sun Collection on Just A Memory Records. Recorded May 5, 1977, released in 1994, and re-released in 2004, re-titled: John Lee Hooker Black Night Is Falling, a collector’s classic
- Gary Smith Blues Band on Messaround Label. E.P. Recording. Recorded an original tune, “Johnny’s Guitar Blues” – 1974
John Garcia has worked or performed with the following artists...
• Albert King • Canned Heat • R. L. Burnside
• Big Moose Walker • Kingston Trio • Bobby Black
• Bud Dimock • Robben Ford • Al Kooper
• Eddie Taylor • Don Cherry • Buddy Guy
• Junior Wells • Mark Naftalin • James Cotton
• Hubert Sumlin • Mel Brown • Sunnyland Slim
• Big Mama Thorton • Skip Rose • Elvin Bishop
• Ronnie Barron • John Mayall • Katie Webster
• Lenny Goldsmith • J. Geils Band • Charlie Musselwhite
• S. P. Leary • Luther Tucker • The Chambers Brothers
• Steve Gadd • Lee Oskar • Bonnie Raitt
• John Hammond • Greg Kihn Band • Eric Gale
• Foghat • John Belushi • Huey Lewis & The News
• Clean Head Vinson • Richard Tee • Mose Allision
• Bo Diddley • Towns Van Zandt • Brownie McGhee
• Johnny Heartsman • The Outlaws • Sonny Terry
• Finis Tasby • Muddy Waters • Roomfull of Blues
• Norton Buffalo • Paul Simon • Otis Rush
• The Fifth Dimension • Earl “Good Rockin’” Brown • Mississippi Johnny Waters
• Mark Ford • Buddy Miles • The Coasters
• Walter Horton • Albert Lee • Billy Boy Arnold
• Nick Gravenites • James Harman • Eddie Shaw
• Johnny Winters • Fred Roulette • Billy Branch
• B. B. King • Mark Hummel • Steve Freund
• Honey Boy Edwards • Lester Chambers • Rod Piazza
• Ron Thompson • Nick Moss • Matt Murphy
• Ike Turner • Gary Smith • John Lee Hooker, Jr.
• Paul DeLay • Clifton Chenier • Steve Lucky
• John Broadway Tucker
Testimonials about John Garcia
“He’s one of the best I’ve heard in a long time.”…….John Lee Hooker – Mercury News
“John Garcia, an able soloist in the B.B. King and Peter Green tradition.”……The Washington Post
“Garcia, in particular, established himself as a master of the technically refined genre of Bloomfield et al.”…….The Montreal Star
“Lead Guitarist John Garcia is a singularly superb improvisational musician.”…….Washington Star
“…Garcia is a keen almost manic player…exploring the fretboard…A John Garcia concert is a showcase not only for his ability but also his creative mind.”…….Hollister Freelance
“John Garcia especially impresses with his generally tasteful fills and solos.” …….Down Beat Review
The Voice of the Blues: Classic Interviews from Living Blues Magazine (Edited by Jim O’Neal and Amy van Singel, Routledge, New York, 2002), which includes interviews with John Lee Hooker conducted in 1976/77. At one point, the interviewer (Jim O’Neal) asks John Lee Hooker a couple of questions, which I quote below with the answers: Of the sidemen that you’ve had over the years, who have you liked working with the best?
John replies: “That’s a good question. I had a lot of good sidemen. Pretty hard to answer that. But over the years, up to now, I think I got about as tight a band now as I ever had, which I’m sure I have. My lead guitarist, John Garcia, and Larry (Martin), the drummer.
“I call John my inheritance. Not that he was willed to me as property, but as a recommendation by my dad to “Try John Garcia. He’s bad.””…….John Lee Hooker, Jr.
“This guy (John Garcia) plays guitar like a classic Porsche: beautiful and melodic one minute, then leaning into the curves at 210 miles an hour the next.” …….Brad Kava – Mercury News
“Garcia is one hell of an entertainer.” ……Bo Diddley
Student Testimonials...
“John Garcia is a more than awesome musician and instructor. I’m so glad I found him (thanks School of the Blues). In the past year, since I’ve been with John, my playing ability and theory knowledge has excelled rapidly. John is an encyclopedia of music knowledge.” ……Bob Howard
“My guitar lessons (with John Garcia) have been one of the highlights of the past year. I’m learning a lot and enjoying the lessons very much.” ………Gary DonLevy
“As a student at this past weekend’s School of the Blues, I want to thank you for bringing this incredible event to Chicago. The wealth of information and inspiration that I experienced felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance. The guitar technique seminar that I did on Friday was taught by a great teacher/player of the blues, John Garcia. I cannot say enough about the patience and enthusiasm he showed during that day. John provided a solid foundation to work from and awe-inspiring examples of the various techniques and styles he taught.” …….Tom Cuikota
John Garcia Performance Schedule & CD Sales
408-224-2936
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