.. ........ ....I got my layout from http://www...hot-lyts.com...... ................ .. ........ .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ................ .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ........ .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ................ .. INFLUENCES .. John-paul Gard started playing the organ at the age of 10. Within eight months he had made it into the finals fo the UK's best organ player. He continued his studies and was influenced by musicians such as Jimmy Smith, Joey Defrancesco, Harry Stoneham, Alan Woodley, Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, Jerry Allen, George Flurey, Tony Pegler, and Alan Haven. .. At the age of 10 and 3/4 he worked for in retail for a local organ shop part time for 6 years demonstrating and playing for concerts. He met some of the finest players and demonstrators inthe business, this was an amazing experience and helped him to develop his own style, which has been described as a cross between Jimmy Smith, Jimmy MC Griff, and Joey Defrancesco. .. At the age of 20, John-paul gained a place on a 3 year music composition course at Coventry University and studied with Prof Julian Heleby, Dr Chirstopher Best, Owen Dutton, and Robert Ramskill. It was during this time that he had the privilege of gaining tuition from Jason Rebello and Dave Buxton. During his studies at Coventry University he was also offered a place at Berkley Music College in the USA. .. MOST RECENT FESTIVALS AND PROJECTS 2009 .. Esmond Selwin (g) organ trio at the Marlbourgh Jazz Festival and Birmingham Jazz festival, CD with Esmond Selwin and Robin Jones to be relased 2010, Andreas Olberg organ trio at the IGG Festival,new project with the TW trio gigs in the midlands, mini tour with the cookbook (george benson tribute band) of Italy with Alex Hutchings (g) new project with the group Organic based in South Wales, Release of CD (Warm Ghosts in a Cold World)in USA (west coast) with the Jon Dalton organ trio, Organ trio recording with Gethin Jones(d) for the Jazz Wise magizine part of the yamaha musicians series, The Cookbook at the Swindon Music Festival (2gigs), Dartmouth Music Festival with the Andy Christie(g) organ trio with Dave Sheen (d) Gascone Place Music festival with the Cook Book, Bristol Music Festival with the Cookbook, New endorsment with the Keyb Organ group,also part of a new bristol group called truffle shuffle

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