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John Guida

John Guida is a South Jersey native who grew up in a musical family. It was this early exposure that instilled John’s lifelong passion for music, His musical career began when he played on the Steel Pier while still in high school. Later he toured the country with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and then returned to the Atlantic City music scene where he played at the 500 Club, Club Harlem, and with the Ice Capades Orchestra. John was a charter member of the Si Zentner Orchestra at Resorts International, the first casino to open in New Jersey. He has also played with other big bands including Harry James, Mercer Ellington, Ray Anthony, and Billy May.

John has performed with many of the musical legends of our time, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Diane Carrol, Nancy Wilson, Harry Connick, Jr., Natalie Cole, The Temptations, Lady Gaga, and many others. He appeared at the Cancun Jazz Festival, The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, and often plays at the Cape May and Somers Point Jazz Festivals.

Over the years, John has been fortunate to play with some of the “Jazz Greats,” such as Roy Eldridge, Teddy Wilson, Louie Bellson, Charlie Shavers, Zoot Sims, and Jack Sheldon. He has played many musicals in Philadelphia theaters, including Crazy For You, City of Angels, Damn Yankees, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Bye, Bye Birdie.

TV shows include:

Atlantic City Alive (13 weeks), 3 Highlights of the Ice Capades, The Jackie Gleason “Honeymooners” Special, The Buddy Hackett HBO Special, The Dinah Shore Show, The Today Show, The Lynard Skynard VH1 Classic Show, and several Merv Griffin New Year’s Eve Specials

Recordings include:

Bobby Rydell, Dave Appell, Frank D’Rone, several CD’s of Joey DeFrancesco with City Rhythm Orchestra, Jim Ward-Ed Vezhino Big Band Volumes 1, 2, and 3

His versatility is evidenced by his performances with the Philly Pops, the Ocean City Pops, and the Greater Trenton Symphony.

John was privileged to have studied with renowned saxophonist George Young. He attended Rutgers University and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Rowan University.

As an educator, he directed the Jazz Ensemble at Rowan University and the Jazz Orchestra at Camden County College. He has been an adjudicator and a clinician at several South Jersey high school jazz festivals as well as the Rowan Jazz Festival. He is currently Adjunct Professor of saxophone at Rowan University and Adjunct Professor of woodwinds and saxophone at Cimberland County College.

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