Looking back at that time, John notes, “It was an exciting learning period.  I discovered what it was like traveling, being a freelance musician. It certainly prepared me for studio work.”

While playing often at local venues in the city with his own band (“John Hart’s Big Pocket”),  John’s foray into the recording studio came in the early ‘80s when he worked with producer, the late Norman Harris and the popular Philly group People’s Choice.  In 1984, he landed a prestigious gig with award-winning jazz guitarist Pat Martino which lasted some two years. During that period, John was further exposed to audiences nationwide at such club as the famous Blue Note.

Recalling the time, John says, “Doing jazz gigs was the most challenging because I had to learn  much of what I was doing onstage, on the spot.  For ten years, some of the other seasoned jazz players I worked with jokingly called me a rookie but told each other I was a veteran!”  Over the decade that followed, John worked with a number of major artists including Jean Carne, Melba Moore, Billy Paul, Phyllis Hyman, Marion Meadows, Freddie Hubbard, Jon B, Tom Browne, Bobby Lyle, Angela Bofill and Lonnie Liston-Smith.

A 1987 recording session with Norman Connors resulted in a trip to Los Angeles and after familiarizing himself with the city’s music scene, John considered moving to the city; three years later, while working as musical director for Ronnie Laws, he relocated to L.A. “and within three days, I was working,” he recalls. 

Subsequently, John found himself working with some of music’s greats including Larry Coryell (with whom he was also featured on a TV documentary on Coryell), Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves, Ollie Woodson, The Intruders, Gene Chandler, The Manhattans, Heatwave, Cyndi Lauper, GQ, Wayne Newton, Norman Brown, T.C. Carson (former cast member on the show “Living Single”) and other members of the talented Laws family – Hubert, Eloise and Debra. 

From the mid-‘90s on, John could also be heard playing at various places of worship in Los Angeles including the legendary Della Reese’s church and the Agape International Spiritual Center, accompanying such artists as Ben Vereen, Carl Anderson, Rickie Byars Beckwith and Brenda Lee Eager.  In addition, John has worked with a number of the nation’s premier gospel artists including Andrae and Sandra Crouch and Yolanda Adams.

John’s 1990 move to Los Angeles also proved fortuitous in regards to television performances: to date, he’s appeared on BET, “The Arsenio Hall Show,” “The Sinbad Show,” “The Magic Johnson Show,” “Soul Train,” “Sister, Sister,” “The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show,” “The Mother Love Show” (as part of the house band), “The George Lopez Show” (with The Commodores) and “The View.”

In 2004, John started his own BigPocket Music company and built his own studio: clients have included producer Bobby Martin.  Many legendary session drummers have worked there including Bernard Purdie, James Gadson and Gerry Brown as well as a number of independent Los Angeles-based artists including Jackie Simone, Jamila Ajibade, Lori Jeniare and others. 

John’s name has graced albums by many jazz artists including Nils Jipner’s  Pacific Coast Highway, as well as rap and hip-hop superstar Snoop Dogg on his 2008 album, “Ego Trippin’.”

Under the umbrella of his company, John also teaches improvisational jazz and works with clients on music software (including Logic Pro private lessons).  

As he reflects on over three decades of music making, establishing himself as one of the premier bass players on the contemporary music scene, John says, “I’ve been blessed to have a career with a lot of beautiful moments, working in a field I love.”  That love is indeed evident throughout John’s work and as he looks ahead in 2009, John’s started recording his solo album (“Songs From The Blue Box”) while continuing to share his knowledge through his teaching as well as producing and writing for other artists.

Listening to famed Motown bassist James Jamerson’s work, Verdine White’s recordings as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire and the renowned studio musician Chuck Rainey’s many sessions and of course, the music made in John’s hometown at Philadelphia International Records, he developed his own dynamic sound. It was only six months before John got his first professional gig:

“I knew then that I would make music by life’s work,” he adds.

Working with local bands, John’s first job with nationally-known artists came when he hit the road with Philly vocal harmony group Blue Magic who were enjoying much success at the time with hits like ”Three Ring Circus” and “Sideshow.”  Word quickly spread around the city and John worked with various Philadelphia-based artists including Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, The Delfonics, Brenda & Tabulations and Major Harris.

Copyright 2009©All rights reserved by John Hart for BessaJazz Music Publishing