Lectures
My service involves me giving talks on music - particularly from the first half of the last century, and delivering a dynamic lecture/performance hybrid that will engage audiences. I always bring my guitar, amplifier and speaker system to infuse my lectures with demonstrations of the subject matter, and to consistently make my presentations enjoyable, entertaining and informative. All of these lectures can be attended live virtually as well.
Some examples of presentations I’ve done in the past year are:
“The Great American Songbook”: The origins in Tin Pan Alley, the development in Broadway musicals, and the refining of the popular music legacy in the first half of the twentieth century". Join guitarist John Tuohy as he discusses these outstanding songs composed between 1920 and 1950 and their legacies while playing guitar arrangements of other famous songs.
“Louis Armstrong: The Man and his Music”- Louis Armstrong ranks amongst the most iconic, well-respected, and storied personalities in all of jazz history. With a five-decade career, his massive influence can't be over stated, even today. Join guitarist John Tuohy for a dive into the life and times of Louis Armstrong, focusing on his early years, his trumpet and vocal stylings, as well as performances of guitar arrangements of his most iconic songs.
“Gypsy Jazz: The virtuosity and daring of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli" - Gypsy Jazz or "Jazz Manouche" is a strain of passionate, fiery, and virtuosic guitar and violin based music to roar out of France in the 1930s and 1940's. This uniquely European interpretation of American Jazz has a fascinating origin, compelling history, and is still one of the most popular branches of jazz today. Join guitarist John Tuohy as he discusses and dissects this interesting topic through the lens of it's founders; guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grapelli. As always, John will play some guitar arrangements of some of their memorable tunes, in addition to watching rare video clips of these marvelous performers.
"Mambo, Salsa and Bossa Nova: The Impact of Latin and South American Music on American Culture" - From Tito Puente, to Perez Prado, to Antonio Carlos Jobim, Latin and South American music and culture had a huge impact on the US for decades starting in the 1940's. Join guitarist John Tuohy as he profiles some of the major contributors to the styles known as Mambo, Salsa, and Bossa Nova. We will watch rare live video clips of these artists, as well as listen to some guitar arrangements of these classics.
"My Way: A Profile of the music of Frank Sinatra" - Frank Sinatra, a.k.a. "Ol' Blue Eyes" holds a place in many generation's hearts. His music, his story, and his legacy still impacts musicians, fans, and popular culture alike. Join guitarist John Tuohy for a discussion about the early years of Frank Sinatra, his rise to prominence, his tough times and eventual reincarnation in the nation's consciousness.
Excerpts from the virtual lecture. “The Great American Songbook”