john@johnwillingham.com
404-819-5911
About
John is an experienced freelance guitarist, bassist and vocalist available for performance, recording and teaching in Atlanta, GA and the surrounding area.
Primary Instruments
Guitar: classical, acoustic steel string, electric solidbody, electric hollowbody, electric baritone
Bass: electric bass, double-bass
Voice: baritone – rock, folk, pop and jazz
Secondary Instruments
Banjo: 5 string Scruggs-style, 4 string swing and Dixieland, fretless mountain banjo
Mandolin: A type
Dobro: square neck
Ukulele: soprano
Skills
- Excellent reading skills in bass and treble clef
- Comfortable improvising in many styles
- Familiar with many genres
- Adaptable and easy to work with
Performance Experience
- Countless wedding ceremony and cocktail hour performances
- Performed multiple times with Margo Rey (https://www.margoreymusic.com)
- Performed with Shirley Jones
- Pit orchestra experience (see list of productions)
- Bandleader of multiple ensembles including acoustic, rock, country/bluegrass and classical ensembles
- Frequent jazz duo, trio and quartet gigs
- Multiple concert performances with The Robert Ray Orchestra
- Session work with songwriters and singers (See discography)
- Jingle sessions
- Church performances
- Band member Carnival Cruise Lines
Music Instructors
- Classical guitar: Gus Toole, Michael Moseley, Daniel Pumphrey
- Guitar: Steve Griffin, Robert Fripp
- Double-bass: John (Ivan) Zugel
Teaching Experience
- Private lesson teacher – ongoing
- Music and economics teacher at Atlanta Country Day School – 1998-2000
- Private lesson teacher – Action Music Charlotte, NC 1992 – 1994
- Taught Guitar Classes – Appalachian State University – 1986
Education and Training
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Economics) – Appalachian State University 1989
- Minor in Music – Appalachian State University 1989
- Attended League of Crafty Guitar sessions taught by Robert Fripp