Teaches in Twin Cities, MN

From Minneapolis, Minnesota

Plays Bass, Guitar, Ukulele, and Violin

About

John Tubbs makes his return to the Twin Cities to return to his musical roots. John started his journey on piano at age four, guitar and violin in elementary school, bass and mandolin in middle school and the rest is history! On violin, John performed for six years in the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies. When not playing classical music, John pursued Bluegrass and acoustic music on the guitar, violin, and mandolin. He had the good fortune to study with guitarist Adam Granger of Prairie Home Companion fame.

While at the University of Wisconsin, John performed with the University Symphony Orchestra on violin and placed into the honors music theory program. Jazz and pop styles led John’s focus to the electric bass. He spent four years backing the Wisconsin Singers, a touring show choir, and began freelancing requiring everything from torn jeans to tuxedoes.

Upon graduating with an Elementary Education - Music Concentration degree, John went on to teach bass, violin, and guitar in music stores and his own studio in Madison for nine years. He aligned himself with several music publishers and manufacturers providing workshops for educators and “Rock Schools” for kids. John became a leading bassist in the Southern Wisconsin jazz and blues scene. Along with performing 125 nights per year, John was featured on over 15 recordings, most notably with House of Blues artist Paul Black and the Flip Kings. That album was produced by Minneapolis’ own David Z of Purple Rain fame.

John continued teaching and performing for the next 25 years in Illinois, while also working at the University of Illinois as a Digital Learning professional. Music production became a major part of his journey, recording and mastering over 40 albums for regional artists. In the last ten years, John pivoted stylistically towards traditional jazz and Americana roots music, broadening his musical vocabulary.

John thoroughly enjoys working with students of all ages and believes that the commitment to learning an instrument will pay dividends of joy well into the future.