JOHN SHEEHY – PIANIST AND COMPOSER
John Sheehy is a pianist and composer from New Jersey. A graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, John studied jazz piano under the tutelage of Joanne Brackeen, Helen Sung and Nando Michelin. When asked about his influences he says, “The music of Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Oscar Peterson inspires the way I approach my instrument.”
John has played at several prominent venues on the East Coast including Feinstein’s 54 Below in Manhattan, Chris’ Jazz Café in Philadelphia, The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, and many others.
In addition to being an interpreter of the Great American Songbook, John is also a composer, whose original compositions have been inspired by Afro-Cuban music, 60’s post-bop, as well as odd time signatures. In addition to playing music of the jazz idiom, John is a highly flexible musician having been involved in various other projects as a sideman including blues-rock and he has accompanied several singer-songwriters.
John’s latest endeavors have included recording and playing with a new group in the modern jazz vein – The Matthew R. Smith Trio. Along with Matthew Smith on Bass, and Eric Ficarra on Drums, The Matthew R. Smith Trio released their debut album Vernal Equinox on May 1st, 2019 and a subsequent record Action Brings Good Fortune in 2022. The group is planning a third album shortly, and continues to play around the tri-state area. The music of the trio is available for listening on Spotify/Apple Music and YouTube.
As of 2023, John is currently working on writing and recording his first studio album. His YouTube channel is johnjsheehymusic.