Tuba; Leader and Founder
John picked up his first tuba at age 10, beginning his life-long love for �heavy metal� in the fifth grade at Washington Elementary School in Aberdeen, Washington. He continued to play through high school, joining the award-winning Aberdeen High School Bobcat Marching Band, concert band, orchestra, pep band and even the Sauerkraut Five�a German Band that performed at Christmas time around the city. His senior year brought him, along with the AHS band, to their first ever trip to Europe. The band spent six weeks touring every major city in Scandinavia and Europe.
After graduating in 1971, John spent two years at L.H. Bates Vocational Technical Institute, becoming a Certified Dental Laboratory Technician. It�s hard to believe, but John took an unintentional hiatus from playing tuba. But one day in Lacey, Washington he spotted a tuba resting as a flower pot. It was then he reunited himself with his love of the instrument, up and buying the $200 horn, and in fact using that horn for several years before buying a brand new one.
In 1980, the first of his two daughters, Tiffany, was born. And in 1983, Heather was born. To this day they are known as one of the most musical families on the harbor. John instilled his love of music in both his daughters, enrolling them in piano lessons, and passing on his adoration of jazz early on in their lives. He may love his music, but his pride and joy are his beautiful daughters.
1983 was a busy year for John. Not only was his second daughter born, but John dove right into 3 musical endeavors, anxious to make music a part of his life once again. That year he joined the Nationally recognized Aberdeen Elks National Band, and the Grays Harbor Banjo Club. For 20 years now, John has provided a solid bass line for the Elks Band, traveling to four Elks Lodge National Conventions in St. Louis, Las Vegas, Portland, and most recently, Reno. Daughter Tiffany now joins John in the band as a part of the clarinet section, and in a couple years Heather will be joining in on trombone.
Belonging to two groups was not enough for John. After hearing the Rainier Jazz Band and the Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band in Tacoma. He found his niche: Dixieland Jazz. He began the Electric Park Jazz Band (after dabbling a bit the prospect of a German band) in his mother�s living room in 1983. John always believed his dream would become a reality, and even though at times it was a struggle, he won�t deny that it was all worth it.
In 1989 John became a school bus driver for the Aberdeen School District, and can�t see himself doing anything else. He truly loves his job of 14 years. This year he will celebrate the four year anniversary of his marriage to his true love and soul mate, Lori-Dee. For the past eight years, John has taken on the enormous task of festival director of the Rain or Shine Jazz Festival, saving it from almost non-existence 1995. John also has fun playing for the various musical productions held in the community each year.
John could not ask for a better life. The love of his family, Electric Park, and his other musical endeavors are more than he could ever ask for.
