John began playing piano at the age of 7. Although he was classically trained, he developed a deep appreciation for romantic ballads whether they were jazz or pop. His favorite classical music was written by composers such as Debussy or Rachmaninoff but his passion is more closely associated in jazz with either the late Bill Evans or Oscar Peterson. John has played in church much of his adult life. It was here that he accompanied Amanda Gelatt on various solos and developed a deep appreciation for her vocal talent. John has organized and arranged much of the music performed by Tucson Jazz Trio. Some of the ballads are accompanied by piano only but much of the swing or bebop numbers are supported by midi bass and drums. With the fabulous Bose L1 Professional Sound System, the result is a diversity of sounds and styles that sound much more than what you would expect from a simple trio.
John Hamner
