BIO

John Chapman was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio music composition from Purchase Arts College, Purchase New York in 1997.

John Chapman’s guitar playing has aired on national and international TV and radio and he has performed with top level studio and touring musicians that perform with: Blood Sweat and Tears, Branford Marsalis, Buddy Guy, David Bowie, Dave Mann, Harry Belafonte, Joey Calderazzo, Natalie Cole, John Lucien, John Scofield, Leslie West, Mike Stern, George Porter, Sheryl Crow, Spyro Gyra, Sting, Tina Turner, Tower of Power, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers and many others. 

In 2005 Chapman began to focus on finger-style chord melody and in 2007 began performing gigs on solo nylon string classical guitar for weddings and special event celebrations in the greater San Francisco Bay area after relocating from NYC.

Chapman’s solo classical performances are unique in that most other classical finger style players are limited to the study and performance of usually only one style in; Classical, Flamenco, Brazilian or Spanish solo nylon string guitar.

His extensive pop guitar (rock and rhythm and blues) back round on steel string acoustic and electric guitars provides him with a rich and expressive palette of rhythmic, melodic, harmonic and technical variations that allows him to authentically cover many more styles than traditional classical guitarists. This pop experience helps him to meld more traditional styles of finger-style guitar in Classical, Brazilian, Spanish and Latin guitar with Rock, R&B and Pop into new exciting sounds on his beautiful hand crafted nylon string classical guitar.

Chapman creates an exciting mood when you hear Bossa Nova and Smooth Jazz infused with with Funky Blues on a nylon string classical guitar. Chapman authentically performs all main guitar styles including: Jazz Ballads and Standards, Bossa Nova, Spanish Style Classical, Nuevo Flamenco, Folk, Rock, Pop, R&B, Latin Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Jazz Fusion and even some Bluegrass and Country.

Some of Chapman's core guitar influences come from: Stevie Ray Vaughn, George Harrison, Keith Richards, Steve Windward, Jimmy Page, Randy Rhoads, Walter Becker, Eddie Van Halen, Django Reinhardt, Kenny Burrell, BB King, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knofler, Paul Jackson Jr., Wes Montgomery, Larry Carlton, Hiram Bullock, Robben Ford, Romero Lubambo, Baden Powell, Paco De Lucia, Chet Atkins and others.

Other musical influences come from a more recent study in Latin and Classical music with musicians like; Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sergio Mendez, Johann Pachabelbe, Mozart, Bach, Wagner, Debussy to name a few. He draws inspiration and chops from well known Jazz horn players like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Sonny Rollins and piano, keyboard and organ players like Jimmy Smith, Gershwin, Stevie Wonder as well as many bands and songwriters; The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye and many more.

Chapman enjoys exploring the vast expressive possibilities inherent in the simple beautiful sound of the nylon string classical guitar along with the lack of restriction and great improvisational possibilities inherent when performing solo gigs.

John Chapman is gifted by performing on solo guitar and continually becoming a more versatile guitarist by tackling new techniques that only solo finger-style classical guitar music presents, creating growth in his overall musicianship, repertoire and a deeper devotion to songwriting and his guitar playing.

Chapman finds it exciting to provide excellent, elegant and exciting solo guitar music, getting to know his clients and enjoys learning new material performed during wedding ceremonies, receptions and special event celebrations.

John Chapman's acoustic, classical and electric guitar playing with over 30 years of guitar playing experience garners rave reviews from clients and vendors alike throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area and New York.

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