John's mother was a jazz singer and he grew up with a love of music and song, perpetuated by his early days attending church and listening to gospel choirs. His life as a Business Trainer in the commercial world took its toll and he decided to change direction completely and follow his instinct. He took a risk and left secure paid work to get formal voice training and pursue his passion for music, studying at Trinity College of Music, where he was trained and coached by world-class jazz vocalists Anita Wardell, Trudy Kerr and later Jacqueline Dankworth. He absorbed a broad spectrum of jazz music including Duke Ellington's ‘Sacred Concert’ suite, and this period was the start of him shaping his voice and defining his musical identity, culminating in his debut album BIG CITY CALLING.