BIOGRAPHY
New York based musician and producer, John De Simini, was born in Toronto, Ontario. John received formal training at Toronto’s prestigious Humber College music program where he earned a degree with honors in Jazz and Contemporary music. While at Humber, John had the privilege of studying with Pat LaBarbera, Don Thompson, Mark Promane, Al Kay, Brian O’Kane, and Jim McGrath and was the recipient of numerous awards.
As a freelance musician, John has had the pleasure to perform with Diana Krall, Rufus Wainwright, Josh Groban, Hugh Jackman, The Labarbera Brothers, Don Thompson, and Hilario Duran's Latin Big Band.
John has performed all over the world. Favorites have included performances at the TD Canada Trust Toronto and Ottawa Jazz Festivals, tours of North America and Canada, as well as concerts in the Caribbean, Japan, and Taiwan.
As an active multiple woodwind player in New York City, John has performed extensively in many different theatre settings. Select theatre credits include the world premiere productions of A BRONX TALE and THE WANDERER at Papermill Playhouse as well as the Broadway premiere of A BRONX TALE at the Longacre Theatre and MRS. DOUBTFIRE at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Other theatrical favorites include work on COMPANY (Toronto), JERSEY BOYS (National Tour), LEGALLY BLONDE (National Tour). Currently, John holds the reed chair at A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway.
As a producer, John produced "An Evening with the Don Thompson Big Band" in Toronto in 2011 and currently serves as co-founder/music supervisor of The Uptown Boys - a concert experience featuring the iconic songbook of Billy Joel as well as Coast to Coast: The Yacht Rock Experience. www.uptownboyslive.com and www.c2cexperiencelive.com for more information.
John also works in video production with his wife, Kaleigh Cronin - both are co-founders of DesiCro Media Productions. www.desicromedia.com
John proudly endorses Cannonball Saxophones.