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John Mackay

John Mackay wrote his first song at 3 years old, and began piano studies at age 6. He began his professional career at age 18, playing the Hammond B-3 organ in a number of venues, including television and radio. He studied composition and arranging throughout the 70's with various well-known teachers in Toronto, (where he grew up), but fundamentally considers himself a self-taught musician, through years of listening and playing experience. He has worked with some of Canada's finest jazz musicians, including Peter Appleyard, Don Thompson, Marty Morell, Michael Stewart and many others, while simultaneously working some "commercial gigs" with various artists, including Roger Whittaker and Jim Carey. John moved to the U.S. in the 80's and spent a couple of years gigging around New York, before settling in Boston for a number of years. While there, he worked with, amongst others, Cab Calloway and Leon Marion.

John now makes his home in the Los Angeles area, where he leads an active musical life, performing, composing and teaching. He has released a number of recordings in the past few years, mostly original compositions, including jazz and sacred vocal music.

John's two most recent piano trio recordings have garnered rave reviews and feature him as both a composer and a fine interpreter of other works. “Peaced Heart and Often Grin” is mostly original compositions with a few standards thrown in for good measure. “For Wayne and Herbie” is a dedication to two of the finest jazz musicians of this (or any) generation and features the music of Mr. Shorter and Mr. Hancock. Excerpts of reviews of both of these recordings can be found on the home page of John’s site.

John’s most recent recording “Organoptics” features him on the Hammond B-3, which was one of his first loves when he began to play jazz as a teenager. This recording has just been released on the new record label “Chickencoop”, which is affiliated with Summit Records.

Twenty-four Forays into Classijazz is also a brand new release which features John as solo pianist playing twenty-four original compositions

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Album Review

John Mackay: Peaced Heart and Often Grin

Read "Peaced Heart and Often Grin" reviewed by Dave Nathan


John Mackay came to the Napa Valley and Sonoma wine countries of California via Toronto, New York and Boston. In addition to jazz, Mackay has written choral works and is currently immersed in Indian music and instruments. This album is dedicated to Sri Sri Bhagavan who has the title of Divine World Teacher. The six Mackay originals on the album find their roots in Bhagavan's teaching. If the music is any indication, serenity is an important part of the man's ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Organoptics

Chicken Coup Records
2006

buy

Peaced Heart and...

Music in the Vines
2001

buy

The Three Tenants

From: Organoptics
By John Mackay

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