John McKone
MN, US
Would you call him a renaissance man? Multi-talented? A genius? Or just bored?
People try hard to describe John McKone, but he's a tough guy to nail down. After all, what's the best word for a guy who: - wrote, recorded and produced all of the music on his debut acoustic album, Here It Is? - constructed his own guitar? - is a classically-trained composer and trombonist who has written scores for films and for rock bands, jazz and classical ensembles? Would you call him a renaissance man? Multi-talented? A genius? Or just bored? Maybe the best answer is "all of the above." From his start in an Iowa rock band, John McKone has achieved a solid reputation as an accomplished composer, arranger and performer. John received advanced music degrees from the University of Minnesota and has for the past fifteen years left an indelible mark on the Minneapolis-St. Paul music scene. As a composer/arranger, John has scored locally-produced independent films and computer games. His work with jazz and classical ensembles have resulted in well-received public performances. As an accomplished musician on both the trombone and guitar, John has performed and recorded with myriad groups, including symphony orchestras, rock and R&B bands, jazz groups and classical ensembles. For John's debut album, Here It Is, he combined his love of composition and performance to create a solo acoustic work that is melodic and accessible while full of compositional depth and performance savvy. His skills as a craftsman are also evident on this recording -- he recorded the album using a hand-crafted guitar that he built himself. Two of the compositions on Here It Is were finalists in the Musician's Atlast Annual Independent Music Awards. The album has seen airplay around the world. John has been a featured performer on Good Day Minnesota, NewsNight Minnesota and Minnesota's The Today Show.
People try hard to describe John McKone, but he's a tough guy to nail down. After all, what's the best word for a guy who: - wrote, recorded and produced all of the music on his debut acoustic album, Here It Is? - constructed his own guitar? - is a classically-trained composer and trombonist who has written scores for films and for rock bands, jazz and classical ensembles? Would you call him a renaissance man? Multi-talented? A genius? Or just bored? Maybe the best answer is "all of the above." From his start in an Iowa rock band, John McKone has achieved a solid reputation as an accomplished composer, arranger and performer. John received advanced music degrees from the University of Minnesota and has for the past fifteen years left an indelible mark on the Minneapolis-St. Paul music scene. As a composer/arranger, John has scored locally-produced independent films and computer games. His work with jazz and classical ensembles have resulted in well-received public performances. As an accomplished musician on both the trombone and guitar, John has performed and recorded with myriad groups, including symphony orchestras, rock and R&B bands, jazz groups and classical ensembles. For John's debut album, Here It Is, he combined his love of composition and performance to create a solo acoustic work that is melodic and accessible while full of compositional depth and performance savvy. His skills as a craftsman are also evident on this recording -- he recorded the album using a hand-crafted guitar that he built himself. Two of the compositions on Here It Is were finalists in the Musician's Atlast Annual Independent Music Awards. The album has seen airplay around the world. John has been a featured performer on Good Day Minnesota, NewsNight Minnesota and Minnesota's The Today Show.
2010