John Stapleton
Rhythm and Blues Piano Player, Singer & Songwriter

John began playing the piano as soon as he was tall enough to open the lid and reach the keys. In fact playing music and entertaining was a prerequisite of being a member of the 'Stapleton clan' as John was brought up and around a large musical family and spent many hours at family gatherings with them all playing a variety of instruments and singing and dancing.

This musical heritage gave John the inspiration to pursue his love of Boogie Woogie and Rhythm and Blues so he started listening to great piano players such as Albert Ammonds, Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis to name but a few.

John spent many hours at the piano, listening to the thumping rhythmic left hand bass lines and intricate right hand licks, gradually developing his own unique style and blend of the different sounds he heard. Initially only playing for fun and for friends and family Johns first 'live' appearance was an impromptu affair that took him completely by surprise.

John was managing a music venue at the time and the acts needed an acoustic piano. The piano needed sound checking so John duly obliged and played some boogie woogie to checkout the sound for the acts. Little did he realise but the acts had heard the music and announced at the end of their show that as a special treat the then manager (John) was now going to play some boogie woogie. John duly obliged (as he had no choice) got a standing ovation and has never looked back since. John plays Rhythm and Blues like it should be played. It captures the mood and feel of the original artists fused with John's own energy and passion which adds up to one hell of a show! Last year John spent time in New Orleans which was great experience and made many new found friends with his passion and love of their music and culture.

John has played and continues to play with some of the great London based Rhythm and Blues Musicians on the circuit today.

Best of all John is a great guy. He loves to share his passion for music with any who cares to listen!

When John plays his Piano and is performing you can just tell he is loving it and having a ball on stage. Perhaps it's the big 'ear to ear grin' that gives it way. This music is all about passion and John's got plenty of this and more!