John Quara

John began playing guitar in 1930. When he was 10 he and his brother were on the Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour. Performed with the Shep Fields Orchestra between 1945-1950. The Shep Fields Orchestra did a 1945 USO tour of Europe. Spent the year 1947 playing in Las Vegas. Was on the Perry Como (Chesterfield Supper Club) as a member of the Shep Fields Sextet. Played on 2 albums by Hugo Montenegro "Loves of My Life" and "Ellington Fantasy" Both were recorded at Webster Hall in 1957. Also played on Tito Puente's album, "Mucho Puente". John studied with Lennie Tristano for 10 years. As he described, "I learned Major, Minor, Harmonic, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, octaves, 9, 10, 11 scales in all the keys all the way up and all the way down and all their chords." " I didn't play his music I played what I played." John Quara playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx1ZTFgdfXvHoNOWoE0AaFS6p_lHbx4Jd

John passed away quietly in his sleep listening to Wes Montgomery on Feb 6th 2024. A few months shy of his 100th birthday.

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