JOHN WASHBURN of Grass Valley, CA is a southern California native who began formally singing show tunes in his junior high and high school choirs. From an early age, he was exposed to the jazz and blues musicians of LA's thriving Central avenue music scene by a family housekeeper, whose husband was a professional drummer. He picked up the harmonica and sax and at age 19, performed his first pro gig with a young blues band in front of a few hundred people at a regional Rock and Blues festival in El Monte.
During the early 70's, while attending the San Francisco Art Institute, he formed a Rock and Roll band with classmate and noted Detroit guitarist, Gary Markley(Slippery Elm). The California Street Band played numerous clubs and casuals throughout the bay area. John could also be found jamming with members of Boz Skaggs' band and fellow schoolmates, the Tubes.
Moving to Santa Barbara in 1975, he participated in some original and cover bands including Greased Lightning and 60's hit makers' the Standells (Dirty Water, Good Guys Don't Wear White). Both bands were quite popular, locally.
In the 1980's, having returned to the Pasadena area, John was involved with local garage band heroes, Snotty Scotty and the Hankies. His honkin' sax was frequently part of this now legendary and still active band during their high water moments in the early part of that decade. He also worked in a soul outfit with some English expatriates doing Stax and Soul covers.
After a period of inactivity, John' decided to cut some Chicago blues tunes at his brothers' recording studio, Flamingo Sound Recorders in Sunnyvale, CA. After some successful sessions, he was motivated to again pursue playing the music he loved best. In the 90's and into the millenium, he formed and performed with Blues outfits; the Gems, the Winning Hand Blues Band and most recently, the Fortunate Few (reverbnation.com/fortfew).He's also sat in with luminaries like James Harmon and been asked to sub for sax great, Joe Houston.
The Fortunate Few play a mix of classic Blues, Funk, R&B, Rock and Jazz and available for bookings in the So Cal area
