John Behling Guitarist
Overview
I am a guitarist who specializes in jazz, classical, and Latin American music. I have been performing at weddings, receptions, corporate events, clubs, and festivals since 1984. Some of my career highlights include performances for President Obama, President Clinton, and concerts at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I work frequently throughout the Midwest as a soloist and with a variety of ensembles. My CD "Guitar Music of Brazil" was release in 2021. My recording of jazz standards for solo guitar will be coming out in July 2023. You can hear me live every Wednesday with Rio Bamba at Le Piano in Rogers Park, Chicago.
Reviews
59 reviews
Ivy
May 28, 2026We loved John
John was very easygoing and played beautiful music!
Hired as: Guitarist
Barbara G.
May 21, 2026Great addition to our event
John was prompt, personable and provided music appropriate for our fiesta themed event. Very positive response from our guests. Highly recommend him if you are looking for talented musician who has great resume and promptly responds when you try to contact him.
Hired as: Guitarist
Tierney F.
May 11, 2026John was awesome!
John was super easy to work with and very talented! He nailed the assignment perfectly!
Hired as: Guitarist
David F.
January 21, 2026Extremely easy to work with
Very nice gentleman who did an excellent job at my mom's services. Wouldn't hesitate to hire him again.
Hired as: Guitarist
Charisma S.
September 7, 2025Wonderful
Excellent players. Everyone had a fantastic time. It was perfect.
Hired as: Guitarist, Jazz Band, Jazz Guitarist
Booking information
Price range: $300-$1500
Languages: English
Gig length: 60 - 240 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Commercial General Liability
What to expect
John performs a wide variety of music. Most performances include a mix of jazz standards, bossa novas, Latin American guitar music, and pop tunes. John is also an accomplished classical guitarist, and he enjoys playing classical repertoire at weddings, dinner parties, and other similar events. He can perform sets devoted to any of these specific styles. His music is exciting, romantic, elegant, and a lot of fun. It's great for listening, but also a stimulating background for conversation and interaction.
About
John has been performing professionally since 1984. Some of his career highlights include playing for President Clinton and President Obama, concerts as prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center for the Arts, and work with outstanding musicians including Jay McShann, Patti Page, Jeremy Kittel, and many others. In addition to performing at many private events in Chicago, John can often be heard at venues such as the Jazz Showcase, the Chicago Magic Lounge, the Chicago Hilton, the London House, the Chicago University Club, the Langham Hotel, the Shedd Aquarium jazz series, Gaetano's, and the Chicago Botanical Gardens music series. Currently, he perform as a soloist, and he leads the Guitar Arts Duo, the Bonfim/Behling Jazz Duo, and the John Behling Trio. He also works regularly with many other musicians around the Midwest. When not performing, John teaches in the music departments of the University of Illinois, DePaul University, and Columbia College.
Additional booking notes
John requires no special equipment. He has guitars and sound equipment for just about any venue or event. All he needs is a chair and he is ready to go.
Upcoming booked events
June 2026
13
Saturday
Convention/Trade Show
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
September 2026
15
Tuesday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Des Plaines, IL
Past booked events
June 2026
06
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
New Buffalo, MI
May 2026
23
Saturday
Dinner Party
2:30pm - 4:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
14
Thursday
Corporate Event
6:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
13
Wednesday
Nonprofit Event
11:30am - 12:30pm
•
River Grove, IL
07
Thursday
Dinner Party
7:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
December 2025
31
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
3:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Skokie, IL
September 2025
16
Tuesday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
08
Monday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
06
Saturday
Birthday Party
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Geneva, IL
August 2025
31
Sunday
Dinner Party
4:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Winnetka, IL
July 2025
24
Thursday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Dekalb, IL
June 2025
06
Friday
Corporate Event
5:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Lisle, IL
April 2025
27
Sunday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
04
Friday
Dinner Party
5:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Oak Park, IL
September 2024
22
Sunday
Nonprofit Event
10:30am - 12:30pm
•
Elk Grove Village, IL
14
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
August 2024
17
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Crawfordsville, IN
02
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
July 2024
19
Friday
Graduation
6:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Aurora, IL
June 2024
15
Saturday
Dinner Party
7:30pm - 10:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
14
Friday
Restaurant/Bar Event
6:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Aurora, IL
May 2024
26
Sunday
Birthday Party
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Glenview, IL
16
Thursday
Corporate Event
4:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Naperville, IL
March 2024
10
Sunday
Wedding Reception
7:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Lisle, IL
December 2023
16
Saturday
Birthday Party
7:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Lake Bluff, IL
01
Friday
Christmas Party
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Glenview, IL
October 2023
01
Sunday
House Party
3:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Wilmette, IL
September 2023
23
Saturday
Wedding Reception
4:00pm - 6:30pm
•
St Charles, IL
09
Saturday
Wedding Reception
6:00pm - 10:00pm
•
South Haven, MI
August 2023
19
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Culver, IN
July 2023
22
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Gifford, IL
June 2023
12
Monday
Cocktail Party
4:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
May 2023
27
Saturday
Wedding Reception
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
April 2023
29
Saturday
Fundraiser
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
St Charles, IL
20
Thursday
Cocktail Party
5:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Hinsdale, IL
March 2023
11
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Lisle, IL
January 2023
01
Sunday
Corporate Event
1:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Downers Grove, IL
November 2022
30
Wednesday
Corporate Event
4:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
September 2022
18
Sunday
Bridal Shower
11:00am - 1:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
17
Saturday
Cocktail Party
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Willowbrook, IL
August 2022
27
Saturday
Wedding Reception
7:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
04
Thursday
Bridal Shower
7:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Highland Park, IL
June 2022
12
Sunday
Dinner Party
6:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Oak Park, IL
05
Sunday
Religious Celebration
1:30pm - 4:00pm
•
Munster, IN
May 2022
14
Saturday
Wedding Reception
4:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Homewood, IL
April 2022
02
Saturday
Birthday Party
12:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Merrillville, IN
01
Friday
Rehearsal Dinner
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
December 2021
10
Friday
Birthday Party
7:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
September 2021
18
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Monee, IL
11
Saturday
Fundraiser
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
August 2021
21
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
July 2021
10
Saturday
Birthday Party
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Cedar Lake, IN
June 2021
20
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
10:00am - 11:00am
•
Chicago, IL
13
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
11:00am - 12:30pm
•
Valparaiso, IN
May 2021
28
Friday
Wedding Reception
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Evanston, IL
16
Sunday
Graduation
12:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
04
Tuesday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Gary, IN
February 2021
20
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:30pm - 4:30pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
December 2020
16
Wednesday
Corporate Event
8:00am - 10:00am
•
Chicago, IL
September 2020
26
Saturday
Dinner Party
4:00pm - 4:45pm
•
Woodstock, IL
19
Saturday
Wedding Engagement
8:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Downers Grove, IL
August 2020
22
Saturday
Wedding Reception
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
March 2020
08
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
January 2020
18
Saturday
Launch Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
December 2019
14
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Elgin, IL
12
Thursday
Dinner Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Madison, WI
November 2019
08
Friday
Corporate Event
6:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
October 2019
19
Saturday
Religious Celebration
12:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Schererville, IN
August 2019
23
Friday
Rehearsal Dinner
7:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Rosemont, IL
June 2019
29
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Crystal Lake, IL
01
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
May 2019
04
Saturday
Campus Event
12:00pm - 1:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
October 2018
20
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 4:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
September 2018
22
Saturday
House Party
7:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Mokena, IL
February 2018
13
Tuesday
Corporate Event
7:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Tinley Park, IL
December 2017
09
Saturday
Dinner Party
5:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
01
Friday
Christmas Party
6:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Elgin, IL
November 2017
10
Friday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
October 2017
07
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Milwaukee, WI
September 2017
09
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
9:30am - 10:30am
•
Chicago, IL
08
Friday
Cocktail Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Waukesha, WI
July 2017
15
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
5:30pm - 6:15pm
•
Chicago, IL
01
Saturday
Surprise
1:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
June 2017
25
Sunday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
May 2017
13
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
6:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
March 2017
07
Tuesday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
February 2017
25
Saturday
Cocktail Party
8:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Naperville, IL
Set list
Jazz Standards
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
Autumn Leaves
The Days of Wine and Roses
Misty
My Romance
How Long Has This Been Going On?
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
All The Things You Are
Everything Happens To Me
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Blue Monk
I Sent For You
Blues For Herb
Body and Soul
Pennies From Heaven
A Foggy Day
My Favorite Things
Alone Together
When You Wish Upon A Star
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Bossa Novas
Girl From Ipanema
Black Orpheus
Agua De Beber
Corcovado
Gentle Rain
Wave
How Insensitive
Meditation
O Morro Nao Tem Vez
Choros and Other Latin American Guitar Music
As Emboladas do Norte
Sons de Carilhoes
Brasileirinho
Dengoso
Rebolico
Grain
Lamentos do Morro
O Choro De Juliana
Baiao Cansado
Duas Contas
Carioquinha
Julia Florida
Brasiliana No. 13
Valse Venezolano #2 "Andreina"
Valse Venezolano #3 "Natalia"
Ojos Brujos
Scherzino Mexicano
Pop and Country Tunes
Here Comes The Sun
Nowhere Man
And I Love Her
Moondance
Tennessee Waltz
Crazy
You've Got A Friend
Fire and Rain
Solamente Una Vez
Yellow Bird
Freight Train
I Can See Clearly Now
Classical and Wedding Ceremony Music
Wedding March
Bridal Chorus
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Canon in D
Cavatina
Clair de Lune
Allemande – J. S. Bach
Bourree I & II – J. S. Bach
Bouree in E Minor – J. S. Bach
Suite, BWV 997 – J. S. Bach
Almain – Francis Cutting
Six Pieces for Lute
Fantasia – A. Mudarra
Etude in C – N. Coste
Study in A – Carcassi
Aria con Variazionia – Frescobaldi
Dance Rondo – Guiliani
Sonatina – Guiliani
Preludes – Ponce
Mazurca – Tarrega
Marieta – Tarrega
Lagrima – Tarrega
Sonata L. 483 – Scarlatti
Partita a-Moll - J. A. Logy
Preludes – Villa-Lobos
Pavana No. 1 – Luis Milan
Pavana No. 2 – Luis Milan
Influences and inspiration
Joe Pass
Jim Hall
Andres Segovia
Romaro Lubambo
Marco Pereira
Gene Bertoncini
Joao Gilberto
Keith Jarrett
Bill Evans
Julian Lage
Setup requirements
No special equipment is required.