John Curtin
Guitarist & Music Arranger
I love the guitar. My first singer/guitar player heroes were Elvis Presley and The Everly Brothers. I’ve been fascinated by guitars ever since. I still regularly perform and plan to keep playing till my fingers stop working.
I’ve also had a successful professional career as a Music Arranger and had the honor of collaborating with many of my music heroes, arranging their music for publication.
Thank you for supporting live music.
Performance Schedule
I regularly perform at a number of private resorts and clubs. Here is a list of places I’ll be playing that are open to the public.
April 6
Jive Bar – Milford, PA – 7-9pm
April 28
Back Road Brewing Company – Milford, PA – 2:30-5:30pm
Guitarist
I grew up in New York City and started learning guitar at age 10. By 18 my band signed our first recording contract with Capitol Records. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music, I joined the music arranging staff of Warner Bros Music Publications where I worked very closely with many iconic musicians (Keith Emerson, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke) arranging and editing their music for print. While on staff at Warners I studied jazz guitar with Allen Hanlon and years later with Howard Morgen. It was Howard Morgen who taught me the intricacies of playing and arranging for solo guitar.
I play an assortment of guitars, but for my solo act I prefer my 1950 Di Mauro gypsy guitar. My original arrangements for solo guitar range in style from gypsy jazz and jazz standards to classic rock and modern pop tunes.
I sing and play original arrangements in a variety of styles and use no
electronic enhancement, other than an amp and mic. I regularly perform at a number of resorts, restaurants and bars throughout the Pocono area.
Gallery
Vince Marrone, Nick Driscoll, me, Mark Woodyatt, Bob Wilson
with Billy Cobham
All the King’s men: Jerry Scheff, me, Gary Wesley, D.J. Fontana, Shawn Klush,
Joe Esposito, the Jordanaires
with Jerry Scheff
with Jerry Solomon and D.J. Fontana
Backstage at 2009 Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony:
Charlie Infantino, Shawn Klush, D.J. Fontana, me, Dan Lentino
Backstage at 2009 Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
with Vicky Curtin and D.J. Fontana
Ray Walker, me, Jerry Solomon, Shawn Klush, Vicky Curtin
with Stanley Clarke
with John McLaughlin
Tim Curtin and John McLaughlin
with Steve Pisani and Tim Curtin
N.Y Times photo of Ravenswood performing Jesus Christ Superstar:
Liana Ferreri, Steve Ildefonso, me, Gary Nestle, Iveet Cruz, David Fernandez
with Joe Bruno and Tim Curtin
with Howard Stern and Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
Betty Bruno, Mark Hitt, Mark Clarke, unknown, Joe Bruno, Tim Curtin, me
Music Arranger
I began my Music Arranging career as a full-time music arranger for Warner Bros Music Publications, then free-lanced for Warners till they were bought by Alfred Publications a few years ago. Here are front covers of some of the song folios I arranged for Warner Bros, plus a couple of samples of my sheet music.
My music arranging skills range from transcribing single-staff lead sheets to full orchestrations and everything in between. Although I’m a guitar player by trade, I’m best known for arranging piano/vocal style sheet music, as well as economical small band arrangements of larger ensembles.
I make small bands sound big. Music arrangers love to write for large ensembles, but the economic reality for most productions limits the number of instruments. I have lots of experience effectively writing for a minimum number of players while maintaining a larger sound.
I’m an expert in Finale. All of my arrangements have the look of professionally produced sheet music. The nature of the job requires expertise in music graphics. I got my on-the-job training from the best music arrangers and publishers in the biz.
Depending on the size of your project, turnaround time is generally short and I’m good at hitting reasonable deadlines.
Listen
I always wanted to write a holiday song. We recorded this one last December.
Contact
Email: jc4music@ptd.net
Phone: 973-476-3546