Artist description Tight jazz and fusion trio performing original tunes by guitarist composer John Heussenstamm. Heussenstamm showing mature technique and creative melodic soloing.

Music Style Smooth Jazz

Musical Influences Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, Coltrane, Ali Akbar Khan, Ted Greene.

Similar Artists Wes Montgomery, George Benson

Artist History “King of the Blues” according to the Orange County Register’s Best of Orange County, John Heussenstamm's music and playing is infused with virtuosity and spans the musical worlds of rock, be-bop to modern jazz, gospel, funk, classical Indian and Western Classical. John’s playing is recognisable by its strong melodies and ingenious improvisations. Performing live he is electrifying. Born in Los Angeles in 1953 to a musical family- his grandparents owned a Music Conservatory in Germany - John has been professional guitarist for over 30 years. He has studied with jazz greats Joe Pass, Ted Green and Tito Guidotti and toured with two-time Grammy Award winner Deniece Williams . A brief stint playing and recording with the Surf Punks at Epic was followed by a ten year sojourn in Australia honing his unique style while touring with his own bands.Best known in Southern California for his high energy shows especially at the Studio Cafe in Balboa where he drew a full house week after week for ten years.His most recent albums - Light Touch and Guitar Talkin’ - reflect a return to sublime renditions of jazz standards and his own tunes and reveal his talent as a lyrical composer but also his inner journey to an expanded musical horizon where one style blends effortlessly and naturally with another.Current projects: founded the Annual Laguna Beach Blues & Jazz Festival (in it's 7th year) which supports the local High School music department and as well as providing major talent also introduces the community to new and emerging talent.Producing and recording Thelma Jones’ new release.Writing new tunes for next album.

Group Members On Guitars and Guitar Synthesizers: John Heussenstamm; Lester McFarland on Bass; Dave Spurr on Drums and Scott Phillips, Percussionist.

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums.

Albums Surf Punks 1 (Epic); Hell and High Water with Johnny Malibu (Reset Records); Nameless Wanderer - ambient; Cloud Hidden - ambient; Honest Living - ambients; Movin on to a Higher (HammerHead); Innocent Bystanders (Chase Records Australia); Light Touch - Mai

Press Reviews "elegance, amazing ease and maturity of his playing, combined to a rare depth..." Pierre Bensusan"Master of a Blues Fusion style..." Sydney Jazz Magazine"Possibly the most aggressive blues guitarist on on the scene today..." LA TIMES

Location Laguna Beach, CA - USA

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