Johnny A

City Winery Philadelphia presents Johnny A live on February 6th at 7:30pm

For nearly 20 years Johnny A. has traveled the world effortlessly gliding through,

bending and blending, musical genres to deliver his own unique style of

instrumental guitar music.

To quote the London Free Press (Johnny A. is...) “a musician who resists

easy categorization and that’s always cool by us.”

And as JAZZIZ Magazine so perfectly stated, “Johnny A. has eclectic

musical vision and the skills to realize it...A.’s music is both

accessible and sophisticated.”

His passion began at the age of 13, when he first saw the Beatles in

Boston, followed two years later by an in-person witnessing of Jimi

Hendrix. From there, he was hooked, getting a cheap beginner guitar

to try and play along with his early heroes — which also included

Yardbirds icons Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.

Soon enough, Johnny A. got it.

By the 1970s, he was forming bands in the New England area, drawing attention from and working

with several established musicians, like Derek and the Dominos keyboardist Bobby Whitlock and

Doug Clifford of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Johnny A. became Music Director of J. Geils

Band singer Peter Wolf’s outfit, coordinating the onstage arrangements, playing on several tours

and co-producing Wolf’s 1996 album, *Long Line*. What’s more, he was even asked to join the

Yardbirds as their lead guitarist in 2015.

All this is to say that Johnny A. has the chops, and that’s not to mention his prolific solo career.

Spanning three full-length albums, a live double DVD/CD set and an instructional video, Johnny A.

has earned a Grammy Award nomination, the honor of Boston Music Awards “Blues Artist of

the Year 2010” and a spot in the revered Boston Music Hall of Fame.

He still fervently carries on the tradition of the legends he respected as a teen.

Never content with complacency, and always up for a challenge, Johnny again takes an

adventurous musical left turn to present his distinct, instrumental guitar approach coupled with

his “live-looping” expertise for the very first time in a completely “solo” intimate atmosphere.

With strong emphasis on melody and arrangements from the British songbook of the 60’s, he will

be bringing his fluid guitar style to select venues all across the United States and beyond.

The evening promises to be a very special “living room experience” with some of Johnny’s favorite

songs and stories all of which have molded him into the musician and person he is today.

It’s no wonder that Gibson Custom and Epiphone and now Fender Custom guitars have honored

him with not one but four signature model guitars designed to his specifications.

Don’t miss the rare and unique opportunity to see this Grammy Nominated, Boston Music Hall of

Fame Inductee and one of America’s finest instrumental guitarists up close and personal.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

“Johnny A. is a light in a sea of guitar players. His unique and soulful full approach and his ‘ one man

band’ chops are peerless. Melody - tone taste and a trick bag of surprises and a killer choice of

material makes him a must see!”

5 time Grammy Award winning Artist - STEVE LUKATHER- TOTO

“Johnny A. has always had such a musical approach to the way he plays the guitar. He arranges his

parts sort of like a symphony orchestrator, covering counterpoints and filling out harmonic

structures. The tone in his fingers is always comfortable and friendly and a delight to feel. He is a

thoroughly accomplished and powerfully effective guitarist”. -

3 time Grammy Award winning Artist - STEVE VAI

“Johnny A. is one of the finest guitarist’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to listen to, and I always learn

something when we get together. He is a consummate musician on a world class level. I’ll put him

toe to toe with anyone!”

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee - ELLIOT EASTON - THE CARS