Talent Overview

About Gerry Johnston

"Gerry Johnston is a very talented Boston-based guitarist who possesses a pleasing and accessible melodic style...bridges the gap between jazz, classical and Brazilian styles...defines the term 'beautiful music'...lush chords, subtle surprises and quiet creativity...a classy performer whose accessible style will continue making friends for acoustic guitarists for years to come."
Scott Yanow, Jazz Journalist and Critic

Biography:

MUSICIAN FOR HIRE - SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITARIST

Welcome! If you are planning to hire a musician for an event in greater
Boston, or anywhere in New England, please take a few minutes to browse
through my promokit and listen to some audio samples. Be sure to check out
the Reviews page to see what others have to say about me and my music.
As a professional guitarist for hire my primary focus is on providing you with the best live music possible as well as a hassle-free booking experience.

Working as a solo acoustic guitarist has permitted me to provide live music
for countless corporate functions, weddings, receptions and other special
occasions all over New England. A solo guitarist needs only a small stage
space making this a very practical choice for background music. My
preference for solo performing is to use a classical guitar. Actually, the type of guitar I use is sometimes referred to as a ‘crossover‘ guitar. It is a nylon string (classical) guitar, but is has a cutaway in the body (similar to a jazz guitar) to allow easier access to the higher notes. It also has a built in microphone so some amplification can be used - enough to be heard in a crowded room, but never so much as to be intrusive.

JAZZ GUITAR - THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK

Although trained as a classical guitarist, New England Conservatory
graduate, I have always enjoyed jazz and popular music and have made a
particular specialty of performing selections from ‘The American Songbook‘
on classical guitar. These are the great jazz and popular 'standards' by
composers such as Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Ann Ronnell, Jimmy
Van Heusen, Richard Rogers and a host of others. There is also a good
deal of Brazilian music which is often thought of as part of the ‘Songbook.
Solo, acoustic guitar performances of this classic jazz have proven to be
very well received at a variety of events including concerts.

CLASSICAL GUITAR MUSIC

Since I was a classical guitar performance major it should not be surprising that my repertoire also includes many traditional classical guitar works. Classical guitarists perform music ranging from over five centuries. A great deal of Renaissance and Baroque music, originally composed for the lute and harpsichord, has been successfully transcribed for classical guitar. During the Classical and Romantic periods the guitar began to develop in it‘s own rite and much original music was composed for the instrument. As the guitar gained favor during the 20th Century many contemporary composers created some very beautiful works for classical guitar. Most classical guitar music is of European origin. Since the mid-twentieth century, however, there have also been many American as well as South and Central American composers creating works for the classical guitar.

Thank you for visiting my promokit. I hope to be hearing from you soon.

More Information:

Gig Salad Address: GigSalad.com/gerryjohn

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Gerry Johnston is listed in the following categories:

Jazz Guitarist in Boston

Ambient Music Soloist in Boston

Classical Guitarist in Boston

Guitarist in Boston

Jazz Guitarist in Boston