Dear fellow guitar players,
My Port St Mary guitar group is on the move.
From Wednesday, April 20 2016 it will meet at the Isle of Man Yacht Club every fortnight from 7pm to 8pm.
The group previously met at the Patchwork Café every fortnight for nearly three and a half years. I would like to thank Rich Ashcroft for allowing us to meet at the café during that time,
Happy guitar playing,
John
I would like to say a huge thank you to all my talented guitar students -, and their friends and family – for making the social night at the Institute, Laxey, on Saturday, October 17 2015 such a fantastic night.
Whether playing solo or as part of a duo, trio, four-piece, five-piece or as part of the group of 18 guitar players on stage at the end, everyone did a great job.
I am lucky to know such a lovely group of people and fine musicians.
Thanks and happy guitar playing,
John
(pictures by John and Angela Gregory and Barbara Watt)
John is holding a social night for his students at the Institute, Laxey, Isle of Man, on Saturday, October 17 2015.
See the poster below for full details.
I am starting short guitar courses for beginners in the Isle of Man.
The four week courses will start at the end of July 2015 at the Onchan Youth and Community Centre in School Road, Onchan.
There will be separate sessions for children and adults.
All the details are on the poster. Feel free to contact me on 07624 204320 or email me on bluejohnmedia@hotmail.co.uk for further details or to book a place.
Happy guitar playing,
John
Dear fellow guitar players,
I will be not be holding any private or group lessons here in the Isle of Man from Saturday, June 6 to Friday, June 12 2015 inclusive (Isle of Man TT race week).
IF any TT racing is delayed until Saturday, June 13 then my lessons will also not take place on that day. I am working as normal (including tuition groups) during the whole of TT practice week.
Have a good TT, happy guitar playing and I will look forward to seeing you soon,
John
John Gregory performed a sold out concert at the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, Isle of Man, on Saturday (February 28 2015).
Titled A Night of Country Blues, the event also featured some of John’s guitar students and friends including his blues duo partner, harmonica player Tim ‘Papa’ Cass.
John paid tribute to some of his favourite acoustic blues guitarists such as Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy and Rev Gary Davis among others.
John would like to thank the wonderful audience and all the musicians involved in the event.
Do you want to start playing guitar but are not sure how?
John Gregory has put together a video package containing 17 short videos (on a memory stick for a laptop or PC) which tell you everything you need to know to get started.
The package also includes several photographs, a 30-page A-4 folder with music and tips, a one-off 20 minute Skype session with John – which can be redeemed within a six month period – and email support and advice!
This package is aimed at complete beginners and for December 2014 and January 2015 is for the limited only price of £35 (the price will go up in February 2015).
This offer is available to budding players throughout the British Isles. If you are interested email John on bluejohnmedia@hotmail.co.uk for the full details.
From Thursday, January 8 2015 John’s group guitar session in Ramsey, Isle of Man, will have a new base.
For more than two years the group met at the Northern Lights Community Centre which has sadly now closed.
So, from January 8 it will meet at the Mitre Hotel, Parliament Street, Ramsey, from 7pm to 9pm. Admission is still £10 per night.
Thank you to Sam at the Northern Lights Community Centre for making the group feel so welcome and thanks to Carl at the Mitre for giving the group a new home.
NOTE: Since this post the Ramsey group has moved again. The Ramsey group currently meets at the home of one of the group members. Please contact John for details.
Are you or a family member or friend interested in playing the guitar?
Well known guitar tutor John Gregory, who teaches rock, pop, blues and folk guitar, is launching a special offer for Christmas.
He is offering a series of short – but detailed – videos which will cover all the basics of how to get started on the guitar.
They will cover everything you need to know to get you started on your musical journey.
John will provide these videos on a memory stick suitable for a PC along with accompanying music and explanatory notes plus print outs. And, as a bonus, you get a one-off 20 minute Skype session with him too. This whole package is at the special offer price of just £35 before Christmas 2014!
This package is perfect for anyone who wants to start learning the guitar.
For details call John on 07624 204320 or email bluejohnmedia@hotmail.co.uk
About John:
*John, a highly experienced guitar player, is a member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors and has taught thousands of private lessons and hundreds of group guitar lessons in the Isle of Man.
*In addition to private lessons he runs three regular group guitar sessions – in Douglas, Ramsey and Port St Mary, Isle of Man.
*John is also the ‘music man’ at Victoria House children’s nursery, in Douglas, which he attends once a week.
*He also runs a weekly not-for-profit guitar session for people who have – or have had – mental health problems and has been the voluntary guitar tutor at Isle of Man Prison for nearly 12 months.
*John is also the guitarist in blues duo Blue John and Papa Cass who have opened shows for the likes of Jazz guitar great Martin Taylor, legendary bands such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Nine Below Zero, British blues star Marcus Bonfanti and slide guitar hero Michael Messer to name but a few.
On Saturday (October 18 2014) John Gregory’s blues duo, Blue John and Papa Cass, had the honour of being the support act for Jazz guitar legend Martin Taylor.
Martin performed a sold-out show at the Centenary Centre in Peel, Isle of Man.
It was an incredible solo concert by Martin who recorded his DVD, Freternity, at the centre a few years ago.
John said: “Martin Taylor is one of the greatest guitar players in the world – if not THE greatest. It was a great honour to open the show for him and we had a great time.
“There is always a very special atmosphere at the Centenary Centre and I would like to thank our friend Ernie Leece for booking Martin and for all the superb shows he has been responsible for at the centre over the years.”
