29 year old singer/guitarist and songwriter JOHN INGRASSIA has been playing guitar for over twenty years. Following in the footsteps of guitar greats STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN, JIMI HENDRIX and SLASH(G N R), John by the time he was 18 had already left his mark at many clubs in the northeast. With his first band Sundrill and now with The Johnny I. Band .
He has developed a blues style of his own by studying the styles of B B KING, DOYLE BRAMHALL and JEFF PITCHELL. Johnny has performed at top blues clubs such as THE BLUES(New Haven, CT)CAFE 9(New Haven, CT)TOADS PLACE(New Haven, CT)THE HUNGRY TIGER(Manchester, CT).John was also entered into the "99" blues talent contest sponsered by the CT Blues Society(John is a member of) and performed at BLACK -EYED SALLYS (Hartford, CT). John has also performed and recorded with many prominent musicians and bands in the northeast area.He has received guidance from many of his music heros such as ZAKK WYLDE, SLASH, RICK DERRINGER, KIM WILSON , JAMES COTTON , CHRIS DUARTE DENNY FREEMAN ,BUDDY MILES, JONNY LANG and KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD about the music business and art of recording.John has shared the stage with Chris Duarte, Grayson Capps and Devon Allman (son of legendary Gregg Allman). He is also an active guitar instructor in New Haven County.
-ACCOMPLISHMENTS-
John was voted "FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST" 2003
Nominated for "BEST BLUES/ROCK ACT" 2002/2003
Written up as one of CT TOP TEN BLUES ACTS
Debut CD ((( TIMES IS TOUGH))) has gone on to receive national airplay in Chicago, W.Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Boston, Michigan, Hawaii and CT on WCCC, WPLR, WPKN, WNHU, WESU and international airplay in Belgium, Italy, Argentina, Denmark, Poland, Finland,Mexico and Germany
Featured in a commercial for BB KINGS summer blues festival
listen at www.soldouttour.com
Has received invitations from JAPAN and NEPAL to perform at their annual blues festivals
-TESTIMONIALS-
"WOW!!! THIS KID HAS IT, THE CROWD IS BLOWN AWAY THE DANCERS ARE EVERYWHERE"
"THIS WELL-KNOWN BLUES GUITARIST IS SET TO ROCK WITH HIS GRITTY, SMOKING RIFFS AND GRUFF VOCALS"
"JOHNNY I. WITH HIS SIGNATURE BLEND OF GRITTY BLUES AND HOT ROCK. A HIT THROUGHOUT THE AREA"
"JOHNNY I. CAN TURN ANY BAR INTO THE HOUSE OF BLUES"
"JOHNNY'S HOT SOUND WILL GET YOU JUMPING! A GUARANTEED HIT FOR ANY SERIOUS FAN OF JIMI HENDRIX, STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN or B.B.KING"
"JOHNNY I. IS ONE OF THE BEST BLUES GUITAR PLAYERS ON THE EAST COAST"
John also performs with his acoustic project "IF" on guitar and vocals
11/8/07 Press Release
Johnny I. wouldn't have time for blues
By Kellie Lambert McGuire Republican-American
Bluesman Johnny I. isn't busy enough — or so he thinks. The musician, who constantly tours with his namesake Johnny I Band, now has an acoustic duo as well. The group, titled If, will appear live on Saturday at Maloney's Pub in Meriden.
If features Johnny I., also known as John Ingrassia, as well as Jake Fava. The pair performs original music of the modern and classic rock variety. The duo will be giving several performances over the next few months, along with live radio interviews and in-store performances.
If will also perform Nov. 17 at Massimo's in Southington.
For more information on Johnny I and his numerous projects, check out www.myspace.com/johningrassia.
Dec 6th Press Release
The Johnny I Band will make its debut Saturday at The Billiards, a new club in Torrington located at 683 Winsted Road. For more information, call (860) 489-4344.
Jan 3/08 Press Release
IF YOU NEED SOMETHING TO DO: The acoustic duo If is making the rounds of local venues in January.
On Saturday, the group plays the Hall of Fame Billiards in Ellington. The duo also plays Jake's Tavern in Wallingford on Jan. 12; Borders in Meriden on Jan. 18; and The Groggy Frog in Southington on Jan. 25.
Music fans can also tune in to WNHU, 88.7 FM, on Jan. 20, for a live interview and performance. For more information, visit www.wnhu.net.
Jan 14 2008 Press Release
Borders Books and Music
Johnny I returns to Borders with his new alternative rock acoustic project. Don't miss this one!
January 18, 2008 8:00 PM
Location: In Store
1/31/08
Press Release
LOCAL BAND NEWS: John Ingrassia, of the blues group The Johnny I Band and acoustic duo If, will appear live on radio station WCCC, 106.9 FM, at 9 p.m. Sunday. Ingrassia will appear on the "Blues with Beef Stew" program to discuss winter tour dates and perform a few tunes. Check it out. Visit www.megablues.com for more information. More news and notes on Mr. Johnny I himself can be found at www.myspace.com/johningrassia, where you can also hear some killer tunes!
Waterbury Republican
March 27 2008 Press Release
And speaking of great blues, The Johnny I Band will make its Toad's Place debut on Friday. The band will perform at the legendary New Haven club with Riders on the Storm. Tickets are available at the Toad's Place box office or visit www.myspace.com/johningrassia for more information.
Waterbury Republican
May/1/2008 Press Release
WORLD WIDE JOHNNY I: The Johnny I Band is being heard on radio stations from Boston and Hawaii to Michigan and Mexico.
The band will perform in an acoustic opening slot for national blues/rock artist Chris Duarte at The Hungry Tiger in Manchester on May 8. Tickets are $15.
John Ingrassia will also be hosting several blues/rock guitar clinics in the area over the next few months. Keep informed at www. myspace. com/ johningrassia.
Waterbury Republican
June 11 2008 Press Release
IF Returns to Borders in Meriden, CT
Fri June 20 8p
Here's what Borders has to say
Starring guitar virtuoso Johnny I, this amazing act makes its second Borders appearance. Don't miss it!
June 12 ,2008 Press Release
Johnny I. Band's single "Late Night" will be featured on the radio during the late night hour of 10 p.m. Sunday on WPLR, 99.
1 on the FM dial
Waterbury Republican
Sept 25 ,2008
Press Release
The Johnny I. Band's new single, "Late Night" has been getting a lot of attention recently. The song has been featured on WCCC-FM and WPLR-FM here in CT, as well as on other radio stations around the country and overseas.The tune also hit the number one spot on a blues radio show in Michigan.
The band is entering "Late Night" in The International Songwriting Competition later this year . To hear the tune, log on to www.myspace.com/johningrassia or hear it live tonight at The Hungry Tiger in Manchester ,where the band is opening for national blues/rock artist Grayson Capps
READ OTHER PRESS RELEASES AT
Official Website www.johnnyiband.freeservers.com
DISCOGRAPHY
2003 Release "Times is Tough"
2007 New Release " Keepin' it Real"
visit www.johnnyiband.freeservers.com for order info
July 8 - CD Release - "Distilled" July 10 - Hot Topic Great Northern Mall 6pm July 10 - CD Release Party at Mac's Bad Art Bar - Mattydale, NY July 11 - Lucky's - Cortland, NY July 17 - Hot Topic Watertown Mall - Watertown, NY 6pm July 17 - Adams Hotel - Adams, NY July 23 - Looney Tunes CD Store - Long Island July 24 - Uncle Mike's - Manhattan July 25 - Uncle Mike's - Manhattan<
Thanks for listening, and please take a quick sound check, if you can afford it please buy a download, I depend on your support , to keep making new art For everyone. It’s my job, and damn it stop by and say hi(hehe). Thanks Richard Lee
LOST live @ JC HooKS sat.nite party starts @ 930pm remember as always free t-shirts sat>nite WERE playing a few new songs written by us ... so dont miss it New LOST and improved !!!!! SEE U THERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! www.LOSTrockband.com
god i luv your songs and wish i could add one to my player so my friends could hear too, please me with a song today, luvin' ya, judy northwest washington
What's up brother? How's the weather up there? We're playing a show on Valentine's day at Ruthie's Cafe located in Hotel Waco. The venue holds about two hundred people. I'm pretty stoked about it. Give me a call sometime or better yet; come on down to Austin Texas. The weather is a little cool. It's about 68 degrees so you might want to bring your jacket.
Come join us for the End of an Error Party at the Acoustic Cafe in Bridgeport, CT Sat Jan 24! This is an apolitical, poly-partisan, goodhearted celebration of W's retirement, featuring; Wandering Roots trio (Shawn Taylor/ Jim McKeeman/ Billy Bileca) and also Nick Harrison & friends! Doors open at 8. Peace!
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