Keyboards/Musical Director/Composer 
Arranger/Vocalist

With a professional career of more than 37 years , John as a keyboardist has provided the sonic palette for artists as varied as Digable Planets , De La Soul , Cameo , Harry Belafonte , been Musical Director for Change , Phyllis Hyman , Melba Moore , Freddie Jackson , Alyson Williams , Keith Sweat , Taylor Dane , and J.T.Taylor formerly of Kool and The Gang . On Broadway he was Assistant Conductor for “Your Arms Too Short To Box With God” in it’s Tony Award winning year , and toured with “The Wiz “ in it’s 2nd National Company in 1979. John’s tenure with a multitude of artists has given him the opportunity to perform on countless TV shows including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno “ , “Late Night With David Letterman “ , “The Arsenio Hall Show” , “Showtime At The Apollo “ , and “Soul Train “. 
As Musical Director for Mica Paris , John had the rare opportunity to meet Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the 1989 Prince’s Trust Concert in Birmingham ,UK with “Level 42 “ as the house band. John has also written and or recorded music for Nas , Sharon Bryant , Keith Sweat , and Amy Winehouse. 
Finally , John is presently devoting time to recording music that will introduce the world to his own artistic expression.


Objective: A challenging and interesting position, utilizing the depth of my experience.

Experience:Nas
Studio Keyboards 2012
"Cherry Wine" from "Life Is Good" CD

Amy Winehouse 
Studio Keyboards 2006 to 2012
Contributed various keyboard parts for the "Frank" and "Back To Black " and "Lioness" recordings

Anthony Hamilton
Studio Keyboards 2012
Title Song on "Back To Love" CD

Experience: In The Light 2007-2009
Co-Founder/Musical Director/Keyboards/Vocals
Original vocal and instrumental music.
www.weareinthelight.com

Inner City Broadcasting New York City, NY
Musical Director/Keyboards Sept.2002 to March 2003
Served as the Musical Director/Keyboardist for
"Showtime in Harlem " television show. Duties included direction of the
house band for "Amateur Night" contestants and various other musical cues for broadcast TV

J.T. Taylor(former lead vocalist for Kool & the Gang) Ramsey , NJ
Musical Director/Keyboards June 1999 to May 2005
Responsible for all musical aspects of the execution of J.T.Taylor's stage
performances worldwide.

Freddie Jackson New York City ,NY
Keyboards Feb 1999 to June 1999
Keyboard duties for live shows

De La Soul New York City,NY
Keyboards June 1996 to June 1996
Keyboard duties in support of "Stakes is High" Tour

Digable Planets New York City ,NY
Keyboards Sept 1994 to Dec 1995
Keyboards for "Blowout Comb "Worldwide Tour

Taylor Dayne New York City ,NY
Musical Director/Coordinator June 1993 to Sept 1993
Rehearsal and Programming the band in preparation for touring. Included
choice of computer programs and hardware for sequencing.


Keith Sweat NY,NY
Musical Director/Keyboards Nov 1988 to April 1991
Oversite of all musical aspects of the live performances for two worldwide tours as well as recording on his second album and co-writing a song on his third album.

Cameo Atlanta ,GA
Keyboards June 1987 to Nov 1987
"Word Up" world wide tour

Def Jam Entertainment NY,NY
Sound Engineer Feb 1987 to May 1987
for "Def Jam Soul Song Tour" which included Oran"Juice Jones"
and Alyson Williams

Hush Productions NY,NY
MD/Keyboards Sept 1982 to Mar.1985
House MD for the management company which included oversite of
Melba Moore, Lillo Thomas and Freddie Jackson.

Phyllis Hyman NY, NY
MD/Keyboards May 1982 to Sept 1982

Change (Little Macho Music) NY,NY
MD/Keyboards Jan 1981 to Sept 1981
Opener for Rick James' "Street Street Songs" tour

Harry Belafonte ,NYC
Keyboards ,Spring-Fall 1980
Touring Canada , Cuba , Jamaica , Munich

"The Wiz"(Janco Productions) NY,NY
Keyboards Jan 1979 to June1979
2nd National Touring Company

"Your Arms To Short To box With God"(original B'Way run) Assistant Conductor Sept 1977 to Dec 1977
Conducted twenty shows


Education: High School of Art & Design New York City ,New York
Regents Diploma 1970
· Major in Architecture

The Cooper Union New York City, New York
Sept. '70-June '71
· Major in Architecture

The City College of New York New York City , New York
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music 1976
· Field of Study: Jazz Composition and Arranging
· Served as president of the Student Senate Concert Committee
· Special recognition :C.C.N.Y. Pro Musica Award for Outstanding Service to the cause of Music

Sean B. Hooks aka seaN4Sound is a Multi-Instrumentalist, Producer and Sound Engineer.
Liquid Sound Lounge Featured "What You Gotta Say" at 9:18 on 9/18/2010.

I'm a Audio Engineer-Both Recording and Live Sound. FOH/ Monitor/Production Manager.
I have worked in the NYC area at the Knitting Factory, Sin-E, the Mercury lounge, The Village Underground, Groove NYC, BB Kings.   I was the Chief Engineer for Café wha? and Club Groove. I can mix all styles of music and can say I've mixed well over 1000 bands and groups of almost every possible style. I have had the pleasure of working with some great artist.

Angie Stone
Karen Bernard
Chaka Khan
Cheryl Pepsii Riley
Sean Kingston
JT Taylor (the Voice of Kool and the Gang)
Elisabeth Withers 
Meshell Ndgeocello
Topaz
Charlie Hunter
Terance Blanchard
Robert Glasper
Dave Burrell
Big Boi of OutKast


I have been the Chief Engineer Studio Manager at Hit-Man Recordings in Mt Vernon for over 5 years. I teach Pro Tools and Reason.
I have been a Producer and Musician for over 20 years
I write R&B Hip Hop Jazz Soul & Pop
I play Keys Drums and Bass.

Email me for work

I am a multi-platinum and Grammy nominated producer. I've been making HITS for artist such as Busta Ryhmes, Lil Kim, Camron, Fabolous, Shaggy and many more.

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