John Gilliat

John began playing guitar at 9 years old and at age 13 formed a pop group and began to perform live at schools and talent shows. Upon graduation from High School at age 18 he joined the pop group "Legend" and began touring Western Canada. After 3 years John left Legend and joined a group called Major Tom. (a tribute to David Bowie). Major Tom sent him touring across Canada and the United States playing venues such as Harrah's in Lake Tahoe and MGM in Las Vegas.

After Major Tom, John became immersed in studying. He continued private study with various teachers and later studied jazz at Capilano College, where he received a scholarship and graduated with top honors. At age 26 he began to study Flamenco guitar completely inspired by the teaching methods of Juan Martin and listening to the incredible sounds from Paco de Lucia, Paco Pena, Sabicas and many others. John spent the next 6 years studying Flamenco, practicing 8 to 10 hours a day and in 1995 he won "Best Acoustic Guitar Performance" in the Music West Star Frets Competition and also won Vancouver's Unplugged Competition in 1996. Also during this time John was performing as a freelance guitarist for the Vancouver Playhouse, Michael Barabas, Radio Europe, Mae Moore, etc... and began opening for pop artists like Sofie B Hawkins and world beat artists Strunz and Farah.

Currently John is a freelance guitarist at home in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He performs solo and tours to promote his debut cd "Freedom" with his own Rumba, Flamenco, World Beat, Pop group. John also performs with Vancouver's Gypsalero and various other artists.