Jersey John: The Start Of This Musical Journey
Music and the arts have been an influential and integral part of John’s life. Early in his career, John has had the honor of performing on trumpet for an assortment of U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve ceremonies. Working as a camera operator, sound, and lighting technician, he wrote and recorded a series of songs and jingles custom tailored for small businesses. The journey continued as John assisted chief audio engineers, volunteered for stage productions, and experimented with Midi equipment and instruments, while performing for years on guitar at backyard parties, social gatherings with friends, and artists’ after-parties. It was these accomplished peers that encouraged John to jump onto the other side of the mic stand and sit in with them on harmonica.
It was 2006 when John picked up the harmonica with some seriousness. Creative avenues began to unfold as the harmonica became the “harp” and he ventured out into the public realm of music. Newly rooted experiences combined with harp and guitar inspired John to write and record his first rendition of the song “Kate In Ireland”. At a local watering hole called “Beacon Street” and with harmonica in hand, John’s flirtatious interactions with some women and the spirited commotion caught the ear of an artist, Dale Toth. Dale invited him up to sit-in as his gig was coming to a close. The two jammed a few tunes which prompted Dale to say, “This is something you need to do.”
The days to follow brought John and his harmonicas into the world of Asbury Park original music. Here he began developing a distinct style and notoriety that the Asbury artists enjoyed partnering up with. Notable songwriters from that era such as Sheli (Aarden) Monacchio, Gary Cavico, George Wirth, Michael Brett, and Gary PhilipS, just to name a few, spotlighted John in some form or fashion. However, traveling this path took an abundance of patience, determination, and hours of practice aside from holding down a full-time corporate job. Credit to the enhancement and refining of his craft with invaluable insight, instruction, pointers and advice deserves a shout out to jazz great, Danny Walsh, and School Of Rock alumni, Joe and Elena McLaughlin. Under this tutelage, John transitioned from sitting in to accompanying and collaborating with local legends Frank Lombardi, Seth Tieger, Joe Baracata, Pat Roddy, and Rockin’ Randy Ledet, again just to name a few.
The year 2010, John was playing cover tunes frequently with a local trio, The Brue Crew, where he was introduced to the Coastal Jersey Parrot Head Club (of Ocean & Monmouth Counties) in New Jersey. John joined the club and attended his first “Meeting Of The Minds” in Key West — or MOTM as it commonly referred to — in November. It was there that he was introduced to the world of “Trop Rock” and plethora of talented artists (that John is still friends with and performs with today). While making some waves as a newcomer on the “Coconut Telegraph” during this trip, John was invited to sit-in as a guest at Kelly McGuire’s singer/songwriter showcase. After applying a unique style on a few acoustic renditions of Kelly’s tunes, Kelly leaned over and asked in a hushed tone, “What is your name and where are you from?” John replied back with a whisper. “Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to John from Jersey … ‘Jersey John’!”
John Hanney: “Beyond This Website”
“I am a self-employed musician, artist, and software engineer available to any creative, challenging, motivational, and awe-inspiring (life changing) project that elevates the family around me and my close peers. My latest project, ‘Shelter In Solitude‘ (The Movie), allowed me to express and share 16 years of harmonica, composition, and recording experience in a unique public platform. I still respectfully consider this an opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime.
“I enjoy writing software that improves or enhances my skillset and contributes to the public domain of ‘not for profit’ source code. I like participating in projects that include sound engineering, songwriting, photography, video or film, woodworking, solar & wind power, amateur radio, and digital communications. If situations require thinking outside the box, you’ll probably find me there more often than not. The most astonishing moments are ones where the words to the phrase ‘make me an offer I can’t refuse’ are never spoken, yet I’m waist deep in something I just couldn’t pass up.”
Public Relations & Marketing Photos
Please choose stills from the photos below when including “Jersey John” Hanney in your promotions and advertisements.
