John Mackey received a classical scholarship on saxophone at age 12 to attend the top music school in Perth W.A., Churchlands Senior High School. Upon a highly successful graduation from the music school in 1987 John attended Edith Cowan University in Perth to study and obtain a BMus in Jazz in 1990.
John specialises in advanced improvisation techniques and efficient practice techniques focusing on time management issues that face every student, motivational tools, including setting and achieving realistic goals and the power of positive reinforcement from the lecturers view point. This in turn helps the student realise their full potential without unnecessary mind barriers stemming natural growth as a musician as well as a person. John believes in setting project based work from an early stage so as to prepare the student in advance for later years, when academic expectations are greater. This has produced enhanced results due to extra focus on their craft.
John has been performing professionally since the age of 14, nationally and internationally. He has appeared on many national television shows including Hey Hey Its Saturday as well as the Sunday program.
John resided in Sweden for three years 1991 - 1994 and used this a base to travel and perform extensively throughout Scandinavia, Europe and the U.S.A. John conducted several masterclasses in Sweden and Houston Texas. John has performed with many Jazz legends including BB King, Ray Charles, Johnny Griffin, Lee Konitz, Jim McNeely, Kenny Werner, Al Cohn, Mike Nock, Nat Adderley, Roy Hargrove, George Shearing and many more.
John resided in Sydney Australia upon his return from overseas in 1994 until 1999. He moved to Canberra in mid 1999 and still performs regularly in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
hey! howz it going? I'm in germany atm & just wanted 2 say that omg I had the best time ever in canberra! I wanna come back again asap & a currently trying 2 persuade mi dad that I can come by myself this time.. lol howz the band going? talk soon
uploaded some new tunes if anyone is keen to listen..... @ reverbnation.com/ Aloyisus Gallen
2 tracks feat. Alex Knost frontman of Californian band "the Japanese Motors" and RVCA guru artist/surfer/singer/poet/ladiesman two tracks written and recorded in a 3hr drunken session before alex flew back to US in Ryan Heywood's garage.......
Hope you wouldn't have to call up a technician to read my message this time ! Just want to say Happy New Year though it's about 17 days too late. I'm back in Thailand for a while. Just in case you and vesma haven't heard the news , Geoff and I are engaged (since his birthday)
I just have nothing to do thought I'd harrased people on myspace. Great CD. Launch the other night John was awesome. I really enjoy the gig and I wasn't 'that' drunk.
arh uni is over what a relief now i had better attend to my garden which has 3 years of weeds and dead plants looks like a jungle out there hope i dont get lost, thanks for your time through out the years man, cheers
phill
Hi John, all is going well here in Melbourne town. The warehouse is treating me well, and my circus skills are improving! It was great to catch up with you before I left, and I'll let you know when I'm next in town. Hope you're well. Jules.
hey John
you were awesome last night...what new hey?!
anyhowz, just thought i should tell you that and also is anything going to happen about the ensemble you were thinking of forming next year? I told Barbara and she reckons its a great idea!
