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John Garcia, a notable Grammy-nominated blues guitarist who performed with John Lee Hooker and then with his son, John Lee Hooker, Jr., died Saturday, friends and family reported.
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Garcia, who was born in Gilroy and lived here, had performed with such musicians as B.B.King, Johnny Winter, Paul Simon and Bonnie Raitt and toured the area’s clubs and restaurants relentlessly, developing a loyal following who appreciated his mix of guitar finesse and humble humor.
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He would approach the blues in a way that made you think of them in a new way and threw in riffs that were so surprising, they would make you smile, wondering why no one else had thought of that first.
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Metro music writer Sammy Cohen called him “Gilroy John” Garcia in a 1985 piece that credited him as a key figure in keeping the South Bay’s blues tradition alive.
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In recent years he recorded with John Lee Hooker’s daughter, Zakiya Hooker and his son, John Lee Hooker Jr.,
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John Garcia received Grammy nominations for his blues guitar work on John Lee Hooker Jr.’s CDs “Blues with a Vengeance” (2004) and “All Odds Against Me” (2008).
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He taught guitar to many local musicians over the past three decades as a music instructor at Gavilan College, South Valley Music Conservatory, the Morgan Hill Adult Community School. He was on the faculty at the School of the Blues in San Jose and the Gilroy Music Academy in Gilroy, California.
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“I’m so saddened to hear the news of John’s passing,” said artist Andy Just, on his Facebook page. “I’ve known John since the days of the old 10101 blues house that Gary Smith and Sid Morris lived in. This was back in 1974. At that time John was playing with Gary Smith, and soon to record The Gary Smith Blues Band EP on Messaround Records. John was always gracious to other musicians (especially newcomers like me). He was a great teacher then, and up till recently. As a friend and musician, John taught me the importance of using dynamics when playing.
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“When people would ask me who was one of my favorite guitar players that I know, I would always say ‘John Garcia,’ because he could literally play anything and everything. I especially admired and enjoyed his take on blues-jazz style of guitar playing. I’m just so fortunate that John was part of my life.”
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On Garcia’s advertising, he quoted Dispatch Editor Brad Kava: “This guy plays the guitar like a classic Porsche. Beautiful and melodic one minute, then leaning into the curves at 210 miles an hour the next.”
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Standout recordings include 2003’s “Serious Fun” with harmonica player David Barrett.
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Garcia is survived by son Aaron Django Garcia of Lodi, California. No services will be held, in keeping with his wishes.
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There will be a “John Garcia Celebration of Life” concert at Poorhouse Bistro Oct. 30th 6-9 p.m. It will include Wally Schnalle drums, Steve Smith on bass and a host of South Bay blues artist joining in. Please add your memories and thoughts below.
