John Turk

John Turk, a native of Vallejo, California, has been in music all his life starting with the piano at age five. His mother, a church pianist, gave him basic piano skills while his father gave him a love for great music through his vast record collection, from Leadbelly to Count Basie.

At twelve, John added the trumpet to his musical repertoire. After high school, he went on the road as trumpet player and musical director for blues artist Jimmy McCracklin. He later joined Johnny Heartsman's band as trumpet/organist at the then popular Showcase Lounge in Oakland, California. There, he accompanied Lou Rawls, Esther Phillips, Etta James, and others. After a brief concert tour with former schoolmate Sly Stone, John formed his own band, "John Turk & The 3rd Street Annex," an institution in the East Bay music scene since 1970.

John's ability to play various styles from old swing standards to hip-hop and blues has enabled him to tour Europe and the U.S. He is also a musical "happening" whether he's playing solo piano, one man band with his trumpet, synthesizers and drum machine, or leading his versatile quintet