- Sun City, AZ
- Guitarist
- $300 – $1,500 per event
Hi, I’m Walt Pitts, a Phoenix, Arizona-based guitarist, singer, and mandolin player. Thanks for stopping by my GigSalad promo kit to check out the music. I’ve...
Simply Guitar Music
Overview
I provide a pleasant aural atmosphere with a variety of guitar styles.
Reviews
31 reviews
Mariam N.
November 2, 2026Professional & Easy to Work With
We loved having John join us for our social hour. He plays a wonderful array of songs that work perfectly for both guests that want to watch a performance and for a nice ambiance/background music. He was a pleasure to work with, flexible and easy. His equipment is top notch & very compact. Would be glad to have him join us again.
Hired as: Guitarist
Lily
October 19, 2026Beautiful music
Great job, beautiful music, thank you so much John for making my daughter's shower even more beautiful with your music!
Hired as: Guitarist
Bethany B.
September 20, 2026Easy to work with!
Super easy to work with! Set up and broke down seamlessly! Great music and ambience!
Hired as: Guitarist
Kitt D.
April 27, 2026Awesome guitarist!
John performed at our restaurant's Taste of Italy event and did an outstanding job. He arrived early, had seamless setup, and truly elevated the atmosphere for the event. His music brought the perfect energy and tied the event together. We'll definitely hire him for future events! Highly recommend - Thanks John!
Hired as: Guitarist
Barbara H.
April 18, 2026Music was amazing
John did a great job!!!
Hired as: Guitarist
Booking information
Price range: Starts at $200
About
This is My Story
John Calvert is an American fingerstyle guitarist and composer. He performs in a variety of venues throughout the Phoenix, Arizona area. The words earthy and melodic best describe his sound. Harnessing aural textures from folk, jazz, flamenco and classical music, Calvert’s genuine and unpretentious compositions resound with a calming yet adventurous spirit. Though difficult to categorize, John likes to classify it as simply guitar music.
His rich formal training, honed at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts, artfully blends into his compositions of unique, original stylings. It has also enabled him to impart his technical wisdom and love of music to aspiring guitarists as a teacher, both in private lessons and at a local Phoenix high school. “For inspiration, I listen to as much different stuff in the hopes it will rub off,” he says. “It might be international or avant-garde, or it might be classic rock-and then the stuff I write is totally unlike it.”
John was born in southern California, and lived there until he was 13. He was a classic rock enthusiast who used to buy albums by groups like Queen and The Who and sing passionately along with them. He started playing music in the third grade–his first instrument was the clarinet. He played for a year, then switched to violin for another year. He really wanted to be a singer, but it wasn’t until his family relocated across the country that he got hooked on the guitar.
John was a soccer player at his school in Santa Ana, California, but his new school in South Carolina didn’t have a team. A few of his friends had picked up guitar playing, and after watching his best friend crank out The Who’s “Pinball Wizard,” he decided to take lessons himself. John progressed into playing electric guitar in a variety of rock bands, though he always found himself drawn back to his steel-string acoustic and 12-string. John went on to attend Berklee College of Music.
In 1999, he recorded his first classical guitar album. Titled “Through Endless Rain and Fields of Fire,” it’s all original guitar instrumentals and features his 12-string on four of the tracks. This year, he is officially releasing his latest album, “Mandala,” which features nine original songs, and two covers of centuries-old hymns. John’s down-to-earth attitude, combined with outstanding musical technique, continues to delight audiences. Whether performing for a small intimate group or for a large-capacity setting, John Calvert delivers a most memorable listening experience!
Services offered
Upcoming booked events
November 2026
07
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Gilbert, AZ
12
Thursday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
Past booked events
October 2026
22
Thursday
Restaurant/Bar Event
5:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Tucson, AZ
17
Saturday
Bridal Shower
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
September 2026
23
Wednesday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
17
Thursday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
July 2026
09
Thursday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 2:00pm
•
Dewey, AZ
June 2026
17
Wednesday
Corporate Event
5:00am - 6:00am
•
Scottsdale, AZ
May 2026
16
Saturday
Bridal Shower
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Carefree, AZ
April 2026
25
Saturday
Restaurant/Bar Event
1:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
17
Friday
Graduation
6:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
07
Tuesday
Cocktail Party
4:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Florence, AZ
May 2025
23
Friday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
10
Saturday
Wedding Engagement
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
January 2025
31
Friday
Dinner Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Fountain Hills, AZ
14
Tuesday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Litchfield Park, AZ
December 2024
18
Wednesday
Christmas Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
November 2024
02
Saturday
Wedding Reception
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
October 2024
29
Tuesday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
06
Sunday
Cocktail Party
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Gilbert, AZ
May 2024
07
Tuesday
Nonprofit Event
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
April 2024
21
Sunday
Cocktail Party
3:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
13
Saturday
Fundraiser
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Apache Junction, AZ
March 2024
30
Saturday
Anniversary Party
6:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
February 2024
17
Saturday
Dinner Party
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Oro Valley, AZ
January 2024
31
Wednesday
Cocktail Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
December 2023
17
Sunday
Christmas Party
3:30pm - 5:30pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
16
Saturday
Dinner Party
4:00pm - 5:30pm
•
Goodyear, AZ
November 2023
08
Wednesday
Cocktail Party
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
April 2023
14
Friday
Retirement Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
09
Sunday
Easter Party
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Mesa, AZ
March 2023
30
Thursday
Birthday Party
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
03
Friday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Paradise Valley, AZ
November 2022
05
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
October 2022
08
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
9:30am - 12:30pm
•
Surprise, AZ
July 2022
15
Friday
Dinner Party
6:00pm - 10:30pm
•
Tucson, AZ
May 2022
14
Saturday
Dinner Party
6:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
13
Friday
Retirement Community Event
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Peoria, AZ
November 2021
06
Saturday
Wedding Reception
3:00pm - 5:30pm
•
Apache Junction, AZ
04
Thursday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Litchfield Park, AZ
October 2021
01
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
April 2021
16
Friday
Dinner Party
5:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Winkelman, AZ
November 2020
08
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 5:00pm
•
Chandler, AZ
August 2020
01
Saturday
Birthday Party
6:30pm - 10:00pm
•
Mesa, AZ
February 2020
22
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Litchfield Park, AZ
14
Friday
Cocktail Party
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
01
Saturday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
January 2020
18
Saturday
Grand Opening
1:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Carefree, AZ
November 2019
22
Friday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
06
Wednesday
Cocktail Party
6:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
October 2019
26
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
21
Monday
Cocktail Party
5:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Scottsdale, AZ
March 2019
23
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
1:00pm - 1:45pm
•
Prescott, AZ
Report Simply Guitar Music
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