Experience:
John has taught private lessons on upright bass, electric bass, piano, and guitar to students from ages 4 to 65 since 2011. He has also taught at music schools in Westchester, Connecticut, and Staten Island. John is experienced in teaching a wide variety of styles and subjects, including jazz, classical, rock, latin, folk, country, and music theory, ear training, improvisation, composition, recording and production.
Education:
Bachelors of Music in Jazz Bass, 2009. Studied privately with Larry Ridley, Jay Anderson, Garry Dial, Richard Sussman and Linda McKnight.
Located:
Manhattan, NYC, Brooklyn, NY
Since moving to New York City in 2005, John has been one of the most in-demand bassists and teachers in New York. John attended Manhattan School of Music, studying bass with Larry Ridley and Jay Anderson while studying piano and composition with Garry Dial and Richard Sussman.
After graduation, John formed a band called The Jazz Thieves, and has performed his original compositions with them. The Jazz Thieves have played extensively throughout the city at Spike Hill, Rockwood Music Hall, Tea Lounge, Flatiron Room, and the Greenpoint Gallery to name a few. Their first self-titled album was signed to Fervor Records under the name “The John Gray Band”. They have been featured on radio programs throughout the world, and continue to perform in NYC often.
As a teacher, John has taught piano, guitar and bass to students privately, as well as at Pelham Music Arts Studio in Pelham NY, Dea School of Music and Art in Staten Island, and New Canaan Music in New Canaan, CT. John has also worked at the Caedmon School and St. Hilda’s and St. Hugh’s schools, helping to produce their fall and spring concerts. John works with students to improve their musical skills, teaching them both important works from the past, and modern, popular songs. John hopes to inspire confidence in the student’s musical and life skills with his teaching method.
John also plays in many other projects. John has played jazz with jazz masters James Moody, John McNeil, and Wayne Bergeron. He also had played with with Jason Trachtenburg (of the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players) and currently plays with Tim Cronin (of Camera Obscura/Freelance Whales/Los Campesinos) in his band Floating Compass, at venues such as the Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge, and Glasslands Gallery.
