Haverhill, MA
call: (978) 372-2250
or email:
info@gerryjohnston.com

Video:
I Only Have Eyes For You

Audio samples (Standards):
Blue Moon
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Ain't Misbehavin'
Georgia
The Sunshine Of My Life
Somewhere My Love
The Girl From Ipanema
Besame Mucho
My Romance
MUSICIAN FOR HIRE - SOLO ACOUSTIC JAZZ & CLASSICAL GUITARIST

Welcome! If you are planning to hire a musician for an event in greater
Boston, or anywhere in New England, please take a few minutes to browse
through my website and listen to some audio samples. Be sure to check out
the
Reviews page to see what others have to say about me and my music.
The
Venues page presents an overview of the types of events for which I
have been hired, places where I have performed and many of the
corporate clients who have hired me. As a professional jazz guitarist for
hire my primary focus is on providing you with the best live music possible
as well as a hassle-free booking experience.

Working as a solo acoustic jazz guitarist has permitted me to provide live
music for countless corporate functions, weddings, receptions and other
special occasions all over New England. A solo jazz guitarist needs only a
small stage space making this a very practical choice for background
music. My preference for solo performing is to use a classical guitar.
Actually, the type of guitar I use is sometimes referred to as a ‘crossover‘
guitar. It is a nylon string (classical) guitar, but is has a cutaway in the body
(similar to a jazz guitar) to allow easier access to the higher notes. It also
has a built in microphone so some amplification can be used - enough to
be heard in a crowded room, but never so much as to be intrusive.

JAZZ & POPULAR STANDARDS - THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK

Since childhood, I have always enjoyed jazz and popular music and have
made a particular specialty of performing selections from ‘The American
Songbook‘ on classical guitar. These are the great jazz and popular
'standards' by composers such as Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Ann
Ronnell, Jimmy Van Heusen, Richard Rogers and a host of others. There is
also a good deal of Brazilian music which is often thought of as part of the
‘Songbook. Solo, acoustic guitar performances of these standards have
proven to be very well received at a variety of events including concerts.
See below for a partial list of jazz and popular standards in my repertoire.

CLASSICAL GUITAR MUSIC

My repertoire also includes many traditional classical guitar works.
Classical guitarists perform music ranging from over five centuries. A great
deal of Renaissance and Baroque music, originally composed for the lute
and harpsichord, has been successfully transcribed for classical guitar.
During the Classical and Romantic periods the guitar began to develop in
it‘s own rite and much original music was composed for the instrument. As
the guitar gained favor during the 20th Century many contemporary
composers created some very beautiful works for classical guitar. Most
classical guitar music is of European origin. Since the mid-twentieth
century, however,  there have also been many American as well as South
and Central American composers creating works for the classical guitar. A
partial list of classical works which I can perform is below.

Thank you for visiting my website. Please check out the
Venues page to
see a partial listing of clients and the
Reviews page to read what people
have to say about their experiences with me. If you like what you hear and
read then get in touch to discuss booking a performance or taking lessons.
Jazz and Popular Standards Song List (Partial);
Ain't Misbehavin' - Waller
Alice I Wonderland - Fain
All The Things You Are - Kern
Angel Eyes - Dennis
Anything Goes - Porter
As Time Goes By - Hupfeld
At Last - Warren
Autumn Leaves - Kosma
Basin Street Blues - Williams
Beautiful Love - Young
Besame Mucho - Velazquez
Birth Of The Blues - Henderson
Blue Moon - Rogers
Body And Soul - Green
But Beautiful - Van Heusen
Come Rain Or Come Shine - Arlen
Cry Me A River - Hamilton
Darn That Dream - Van Heusen
Desafinado - Jobim
Don't Get Around Much Anymore - Ellington
Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Schwandt
Embraceable You - Gershwin
Georgia On My Mind - Carmichael
Girl From Ipanema - Jobim
Have You Met Miss Jones? - Rogers
Here's That Rainy Day - Van Heusen
How Long Has This Been Goin' On? - Gershwin
I Thought About You - Van Heusen
In A Sentimental Mood - Ellington
It Had To Be You - Jones
It's Only A Paper Moon - Arlen
Lil' Darlin' - Hefti
Manha De Carnival - Bonfa
Meditation - Jobim
Mood Indigo - Ellington
Moonlight In Vermont - Suessdorf
Moonlight Serenade - Miller
My Funny Valentine - Rodgers
My Romance - Rodgers
Night And Day - Porter
Nuages - Reinhardt
On A Clear Day - Lane
Over The Rainbow - Arlen
Polkadots And Moonbeams - Van Heusen
Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars - Jobim
'Round Midnight - Monk
Satin Doll - Ellington
Skylark - Carmichael
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise - Romberg
Someday My Prince Will Come - Churchill
Someone To Watch Over Me - Gershwin
Stars Fell On Alabama - Perkin
Summertime - Gershwin
Sweet Lorraine - Burdwell
Take The 'A' Train - Ellington
The Shadow Of Your Smile - Mandel
The Way You Look Tonight - Kern
They Can't Take That Away From Me - Gershwin
Unforgettable - Gordon
Wave - Jobim
What A Wonderful World - Weiss
What Is This Thing Called Love? - Porter
When You Wish Upon A Star - Harline
Willow Weep For Me - Ronnell
"Gerry Johnston is a very
talented Boston-based
guitarist who possesses a
pleasing and accessible
melodic style...bridges the
gap between jazz, classical
and Brazilian styles...defines
the term 'beautiful
music'...lush chords, subtle
surprises and quiet
creativity...a classy
performer whose accessible
style will continue making
friends for acoustic guitarists
for years to come." - Scott
Yanow, Jazz Journalist and
Critic

"Dear Gerry,
You did it again! This was
your third standing room only
performance at our library
and I'm sure there will be
more to come. Your
repertoire of acoustic jazz
stylings engaged our
audience right from the start
and you held them captivated
through your final notes. The
ease with which you involve
your audience in the
performance was special to
watch. Your comfort with
people of all backgrounds and
experiences is truly
wonderful. I was struck by the
audience's eagerness in
calling out their requests and
ever-impressed with your
ability to play them in a style
that made them uniquely
yours. Thanks for giving us a
wonderfully entertaining
Sunday afternoon. All the best
to you."
Dennis R. Corcoran
Library Director
Hingham Public Library
Hingham, MA


"Gerry Johnston has
entertained our audiences
with his outstanding
selections from the Great
American Songbook,
featuring favorites from
Broadway, Tin Pan Alley and
other popular genres. His
easy going style
complements his guitar
mastery. A sure fire winner
and one we can count on for
the audience's approval."
Peter Waldron
Director
Rogers Center for the
Performing Arts
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Click here for more reviews.
Gerry Johnston - Solo Guitar Home
Musician for hire. Live music. Solo Acoustic Guitarist for events anywhere in greater Boston and throughout New England.
Jazz & Popular Standards, "The American Songbook", Classical Guitar Music
Musicians for hire. Live music. Solo Acoustic Guitarist for events anywhere in greater Boston and throughout New England.
Jazz & Popular Standards, "The American Songbook", Classical Guitar Music
Live music wanted?
Musician for hire providing
live musical entertainment in
greater Boston and
throughout New England.

Solo Acoustic Guitarist
Jazz Guitarist
Classical Guitarist

Jazz & Popular Standards
"The American Songbook"
Classical Guitar Music

Anniversary Parties
Banquets
Birthday Parties
Christmas Parties
Clubs
Coffee Shops
Community Events
Concerts
Conventions
Corporate Events
Country Clubs
Festivals
Fund Raisers
Grand Openings
House Concerts
Private Functions
Receptions
Special Events
Weddings

If you are planning an event
and  live music is wanted as
entertainment, please
consider solo acoustic guitar.
A guitarist needs only a small
stage space making this a
very practical choice for live
background music.
 

Learn to play the guitar.
Private guitar lessons  
in Haverhill, MA.
Boston musician for hire. Solo acoustic guitarist. Live music.
Classical Guitar Music List (Partial);
Adelita - Tarrega
Air On The 'G' String - Bach
Asturias - Albeniz
Bouree - Bach
Canarios - Sanz
Capriccio Arabe - Tarrega
Cavatina - Myers
Choros - Villa-lobos
Estudio Brilliante - Tarrega
Etudes - Sor
Fandanguillo - Torroba
Five Preludes - Villa-lobos
Gavotte - Bach
Granada - Albeniz
Lagrima - Tarrega
Liebeslied (Love Song) - Mertz
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Bach
Madronos - Torroba
Meditation From 'Thais' - Massenet
Minuets (various) - Sor
Pavans - Milan
Prelude - Bach
Recuerdos De La Alhambra - Tarrega
Romance (from Sonata in A)- Paganini
Romanza - Anonymous
Rondo - Sor
Scherzina Mexicana - Ponce
Tango - Albeniz
Tarantella - Mertz
Three Mexican Songs - Ponce
Una Limosna Por El Amor De Dios -
Barrios
Variations On A Theme Of Mozart - Sor
Audio samples (Classical):
Gavotte
Cancion de Cuna
Tarantella
Rondo
Cavatina

Gerry Johnston, Acoustic Guitarist
Jazz & Popular Standards With A Classical Touch

Solo Guitar Home