John Carlini is a veteran guitarist and composer whose portfolio is a fascinating journey from classical to Broadway to jazz to bluegrass. An often-cited founding member of the seventies' West Coast "New Acoustic Music" scene, he is also an acclaimed arranger, orchestrator, and conductor. His father was a violinist in the New York Philharmonic for 25 years and his mother, Phyllis Mansfield Carlini, was a nationally renowned concert pianist. As a teenager, John became mesmerized by the New York City bluegrass scene after discovering the Wheeling West Virginia Jamboree on the car radio. He had the good fortune to become friends with bluegrass fiddle great, Tex Logan. Through Tex, Carlini learned about the 'heart and soul' of bluegrass music.
Right Picture: Phyllis Mansfield (John's Mother), with Harold Bauer, Chairman of the Piano Department at the Manhattan School of Music, shown here with an unknown student. (Circa 1943) A member of Mr. Bauer's Department. Phyllis Mansfield was the first female member of the faculty as well as the youngest at the time this photo was taken.
In 1965 John enlisted in the Navy. After boot camp he was assigned to the Navy School of Music in Norfolk, VA. While there he had an opportunity to audition for the U.S. Navy Show Band with which he toured for three years throughout the United States and South America.
(John) “The Navy Show Band”, under the direction of CWO Frank Forgioni, had some of the best musicians I have ever worked with. We circumnavigated South America 3 times and visited every country. While ships were out to sea training, we would fly inland and play concerts in every little town.”
Bluegrass fiddler, Benjamin “Tex” Logan
Upon completing his tour of duty, he enrolled in the Berklee College of Music in Boston, whose renowned jazz program had enticed him since high school. It was at Berklee that John gained the technical knowledge to make music his life's choice, graduating with a major in arranging and composition with guitar as his main instrument.
(John) Berklee was a fabulous experience for me. During the entire 4 year course I was able to study with some wonderful instructors; William Leavitt, Mick Goodrick, Herb Pomeroy, Gary Burton, Phil Wilson, Charlie Mariano, to name a few." I also was very fortunate to have met and worked with some terrific Boston musicians. We worked steadily playing jazz in high-end Boston lounges for months at a time. So I was learning at Berklee days and playing (experimenting) with what I had learned in the evenings!
As a result of a lesson with 5-string banjo innovator, Bill Keith, Carlini met mandolinist/composer, David Grisman, “on the gig” at Gerde's Folk City in Greenwich Village, NY. Their relationship has endured for more than four decades. Among his accomplishments with Grisman, John was:
musical director for the groundbreaking David Grisman Quintet, featuring guitarist, Tony Rice, and fiddle player, Darol Anger
guitarist, replacing Jerry Garcia, in the Great American Music Band
arranger for the 1982 release of "Dawg Jazz," a tune featuring Grisman with Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show Band
arranger for Grisman’s “Mondo Mando” recorded by David with the string quartet, Kronos
arranger for the classic recording, “Back to Back”, featuring swing mandolin legends, Jethro Burns and Tiny Moore, with bassist, Ray Brown, and drummer, Shelly Manne
guitarist on the Grammy-nominated “Dawg '90” (Acoustic Disc)
orchestrator and composer for the Federico DeLaurentiis film, King of the Gypsies, which also found him on camera, performing on guitar with the late, legendary violinist, Stephane Grappelli.
John (left) and guitarist, Jerry Boyd, rehearse “at sea” with the Navy Show Band.
John Carlini (left) and Stephane Grappelli (right), jam backstage at The Blue Note in NYC.
John Carlini (left), Stephane Grappelli (center), and David Grisman (right) in a still from the DeLaurentiis film King of the Gypsies.
Tony Rice and John toast the release of their recording, River Suite.
In 1995, John collaborated with long-time friend and fellow guitarist, Tony Rice, to release River Suite for Two Guitars (Sugar Hill), an opportunity for the two to rekindle their "new acoustic music" roots and present a superb collection of contemporary acoustic compositions.
In 2000 John established the John Carlini Quartet with John and Josh Rubin on guitars, Brian Glassman on bass and Steve Holloway on drums and percussion. This acoustic string band showcases Carlini’s own compositions and arrangements, as well as selections from the bluegrass/jazz/classic repertoire. They recorded Live at the Turning Point in Piermont NY.
A chance meeting and jam session at the International Bluegrass Music Association trade show in Louisville, KY led to a collaboration and friendship between John and Don Stiernberg, the quintessential Chicago-based jazz mandolinist. Also at that session was 5-string banjo jazz phenomenon, Pat Cloud. John decided to record that combo which led to the CD, The Game’s Afoot!, with the John Carlini Quartet (now including Don Stiernberg) and featuring special guest, Pat Cloud.
Currently, John and Don Stiernberg record for Blue Night Records. They specialize in interpreting jazz and “standards” on mandolin and acoustic guitar. There are two CD’s available. “Angel Eyes” is a collection of Great American Standards, and “By George” is an acoustic celebration of the music of George Gershwin. Both recordings feature Chicago rhythm section players, Jim Cox on acoustic bass and drummer Phil Gratteau.
John teaches jazz and swing guitar and 5-string banjo. He has been on the faculty of Steve Kaufman’s Flatpicking Kamps for the past six seasons. He is a columnist for Flatpicking Guitar Magazine where he discusses myriad musical topics. John enjoys instructing at guitar seminars and performs in a variety of formats including solo guitarist, or with a duo, trio, or quartet.
The original John Carlini Quartet. (l to r) Brian Glassman, John Carlini, Steve Holloway, Josh Rubin
The U. S. Navy Show Band
The Navy Show Band, under the direction of Col. Frank Forgione, performs in South America in 1968
John Carlini Timeline
by Don Stiernberg
1945
Born in Manhattan (a Yankee fan) to Phyllis, a pianist on staff at the Manhattan School of Music, and Luigi, a violinist with the N.Y. Philharmonic.
1960
Takes classical guitar lessons.
1961-65
Soaks up as much as possible about bluegrass from friend, fiddler, mentor and Bell Labs scientist, Benjamin "Tex" Logan.
1976
While investigating studio career in L.A., lands touring gig with classic rock singer Fabian. Comedian Don Rickles hears the band in Las Vegas and hires them for a gig back home in New Jersey.
1980
Back in NY, co-producer/orchestrator/conductor/guitarist on Andy Statman's "Flatbush Waltz" album. Also David Grisman's "Quintet '80" is released, debuting John's tune "Mugavero", now considered a standard.
1995
Records "River Suite for Two Guitars" with Tony Rice.
1949
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
1961
Hears Earl Scruggs on a WWVA broadcast. Forsakes "folk" for "real bluegrass". Asks for a banjo. His mother replies, "You can have a banjo - get a job so you can buy one.”
1965
Enlists in the United States Navy. Tours the U.S. and South America as guitarist in The Navy Show Band.
1976-77
Recruited by old Navy friend and trumpeter, Bruce Glover, to be assistant conductor with The Ice Capades for two seasons and a tour of Japan.
1982-88
Returns to The Ice Capades, this time as Musical Director. While on tour, orchestrates and arranges David Grisman's "Dawg Jazz" for The Tonight Show band and "Mondo Mando" for the Kronos Quartet.
2000
Forms John Carlini Quartet. Releases include "Live at the Turning Point" on Garden Steet Music™ and "The Game's Afoot" on FGM records.
At the IBMA convention in Louisville, KY, John meets five string banjo legend Pat Cloud and stellar jazz mandolinist Don Stiernberg. Their jam session leads to Pat and Don's appearances on "The Game's Afoot" and the trio's appearance in the film "Bluegrass Journey".
1952
Performs Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (Op.27, No.2) from memory. Interest in string instruments and chord changes ignited by local priest who teaches him "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" on ukulele.
1962
Hears Bill Keith subbing for Earl Scruggs.
1970-74
Attends Berklee College of Music on the GI Bill, majoring in Composition and Arranging, principal instrument guitar. Berklee Dream Team at this time includes Bill Leavitt, Mick Goodrick, Gary Burton, and Herb Pomeroy.
1978
Dawg hires John as musical director, coach, and arranger for the original David Grisman Quintet. Lifetime friendships and musical history ensue.
1989-90
Second tour with the DGQ, this time as guitarist. "Dawg '90" is released and Grammy-nominated, and kicks off the Acoustic Disc label.
2004
Chicago-based jazz label, Blue Night Records, teams John with Don Stiernberg, releasing "Angel Eyes", a jazz quartet collection of standards.
1955
Finds a guitar in the closet that was intended as his Christmas present. Begins lessons, mastering "The Auctioneer", later graduating to "Hound Dog".
1963
Pursues Bill Keith for a banjo lesson only to be hired as a guitarist. Meets David Grisman on that gig.
1975
Joins touring production of the Broadway show "Grease", manning the guitar chair. Lengthy paid vacation in San Fransisco allows him to reconnect with David Grisman. Replaces Jerry Garcia in "The Great American Music Band", precursor to The David Grisman Quintet. Quits Grease and stays on the west coast to play acoustic string band music.
1979
Filmmaker, Federico DeLaurentiis, hires Team Grisman to add music to his movie, "King of the Gypsies". John adds orchestration, some composing and conducting, and even plays on camera alongside the likes of Ray Brown, Stephane Grappelli, and Dom Um Ramáo.
1990’s
Orchestrator/arranger/conductor for Butch Baldasari's Nashville Mandolin Ensemble recording, "Plectrasonics", garnering a Nashville Music Award for John's arrangement of Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat". Also Butch and John's CD "Reflections" is released.
2005
"By George" follows up with the same personnel and all Gershwin tunes.
2006-Present