John started playing professionally while in high school with his father, an extremely talented musician proficient in many different instruments. After graduating high school John joined the US Army, during which he was deployed to Desert Storm.  After being injured during a combat mission, John elected to audition for the Army Band.  Upon a successful audition, he accepted a tour in Japan performing with the 296th Army Band for various US military and Japanese community events throughout the country.  

After the Army, John's musical career picked up and has been going strong ever since. John has played in several bands including The Tony Baron Orchestra, Bill Kokos Orchestra, Click, The Connexion Band, and, most recently, Deja Vu where he helped to create a very successful club, festival, and corporate/wedding band in the Chicagoland and Milwaukee markets. Deja Vu spread its wings over John's 16-year tenure and has played many venues and events locally and nationally for major events and high-profile clients.  

In December 2014 John went out on his own and formed multiple duos as well as his own band, Knievel's Daredevil Band, featuring Krysten Knievel, the granddaughter of the legendary daredevil, Evel Knievel, and daughter of world-renowned Kaptain Robbie Knievel, center stage on vocals. Spanning the spectrum from “What Was” to “What Is” in Classic Rock, Southern Rock, the '80s, Country, and Modern Rock, Knievel's Daredevil Band has tabbed some of Chicagoland’s best musicians to accompany Krysten on this musical thrill ride. This all-star team always delivers non-stop, action-packed musical entertainment and has to be seen to be believed.  

John plays solo piano as, Keys of G, performing a great range of musical genres from jazz standards for cocktails/dinner to popular rock tunes from artists like Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Elton John, Journey, Train, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Mellencamp, and many others.  Perfect for a restaurant setting in the lounge during dinner and cocktails.  John also utilizes his solo piano talents for countless weddings during ceremonies, cocktails, and dinner hours.  

With lyrics always on hand for over 1000 songs, John is also able to host live open mics (booked or impromptu), welcoming up singers to sing their favorite tunes with instrumental and vocal accompaniment.  

John has performed and sat in with many notable bands and musicians throughout his 20+ musical career in the Chicagoland and Milwaukee area providing his talents on vocals, keyboard, and trumpet.  

He has performed for many high-profile clients/events such as Harley-Davidson, McDonald’s Corp, Milwaukee Summerfest, Taste of Chicago, Chicago Navy Pier Beer Garden, Odyssey Cruises, Misericordia, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, Harrah’s Casino, Blue Chip Casino, Gun Lake Casino, Chicago House of Blues, ROT Rally - Austin, TX, numerous State Harley Owner's Group Biker Rallies and Harley-Davidson events throughout the country as well as countless festivals around the country.  

John has been blessed to meet, share the stage with, and open up for such notable artists as The Chi-Lites, Tower of Power, Lindsey Buckingham, John Waite (Bad English), Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Go's), Something Corporate, Joan Jett, Hank Williams, Jr., and Lynyrd Skynyrd.  

John has performed thousands of shows and is known for his versatility in both his singing and keyboard playing. Performing popular jazz renditions of Frank Sinatra to rocking out Stone Temple Pilots tunes, John is a much-in-demand performer for his talent and passion for music as well as his interaction with his audiences.  

Come and check out John LIVE!  

For booking information see the CONTACT page.