GP Presents and Norther California’s premier jazz club are primed to kick-start the New Year with the return of an old friend. Johnny A. He’s a perennial player favorite for his magical combination of touch, taste and tone. His signature Gibson models represent some of the iconic manufacturer’s best work in the current millennium, and he’s one of the rare players to also have a signature Fender Stratocaster. The guitar released in 2022 is an amalgamation Johnny’s four favorite four models from the mid-60’s, and he’s been using that Strat to great effect recently.
Johnny A’s current work combines his deepest passions from his childhood to the present day. He originally developed his signature chord-melody style by learning how to play the Beatles songbook as a solo electric player. After establishing himself as one of the premier contemporary instrumentalists, Johnny became a Yardbird in 2015, filling the lead guitar position once held by Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. After Beck passed away in 2023, Johnny began doing a tribute named after his second studio album, 1969’s Beck-Ola.
Johnny A. combines the skills developed during his immersion in Beck’s lyrical, whammy-infused melodic style along with his deep love for Beatle songcraft on his latest single, a very Beck-ish take on the Fab Four’s “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.” Profits from this single released on Thanksgiving Weekend benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank.
“You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” official video.
As for we can expect Johnny to play for this GP Presents show at Yoshi’s, he says:
“I’ll be doing my solo looping show [Just Me…And My Guitars] with some new material added and a bit more of a bluesy approach than previous shows.”
Read GP’s interview with Johnny where he reveals the secrets about his signature Master Built Strat.
Regardless of the axes he chooses to wield for a particular tune or project, players always flock to hear them in the hands of the man who can make six strings come together as a single voice. Come celebrate the New Year with Johnny A. at Yoshi’s as he celebrates his new Strat and pays homage to the Beatles, Jeff Beck and his own stellar catalog of solo material along the way.
WIN TICKETS!
For a chance to win a pair of tickets to GP Presents Johnny A. in Oakland, California, send an email to gp@jimmyleslie.com with “Johnny A.” in the subject and simply include a sentence about yourself and why you want to go.
Phone contact is greatly appreciated for confirmation.
Winner must provide their own transportation to Yoshi’s in Oakland, California and have their own accommodations in the Bay Area. Best of luck!
EVENT DETAILS
GP Presents Johnny A
Tuesday, January 7
Yoshi’s
Jack London Square, Oakland, California
Free GP magazines, Martin strings
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