My name is John Guari. I was born and raised in Minnesota. I started playing piano when I was 5 and trumpet when I was 10. After I graduated from Edina High School, I moved to Denton, Texas where I pursued studies in Jazz Arranging at the University of North Texas under Akira Sato and Paris Rutherford. I currently have one year left until I complete my Master’s in Jazz Composition at UNT under the instruction of Paris Rutherford and Steve Wiest.

My compositions and arrangements have been played publicly by various Lab Bands (including the world renowned One O’Clock Lab Band), the UNT Zebras ensemble, various small groups, and my own jazz and rock groups.

As a trumpet player, I’ve played in the UNT 3 O’Clock Lab Band, other UNT lab bands, as well as professionally around Denton and the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. I have performed publicly with trombonist Slide Hampton and saxophonist Brad Leali.

As a keyboardist, I’ve played professionally at weddings, fundraising events and restaurants around the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. I’m also currently the full-time keyboardist and background vocalist for the DFW based pop/funk/r&b/dance band, Groove Academy.

As a songwriter, I led or co-led the now-disbanded bands, The Great American Challenge, and Chestnut House. I occasionally sing and play my original songs around the Denton area and am working on a collection of properly recorded songs to be released sometime in the Fall of 2008.

I love writing, performing, listening to and talking about all kinds of music more than almost anything else in the world.

“… Music is the Best!” - Frank Zappa

Photography by Michal Garcia