A Columbus, Ohio, native, John Sheridan began his musical training on the piano at the age of 7. His life was forever changed at the age of 8 when his father brought home the recording of Benny Goodman’s 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. He was immediately taken with the piano playing of Jess Stacy and Teddy Wilson, who remain two of his primary influences to this day.

John began studying the clarinet at 10 and stayed with it through high school graduation. A bachelor’s degree in applied piano performance followed, as his professional pursuits continued.

In 1968, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C. It was during his military service that John began arranging. After discharge, he enrolled in the graduate program at the University of North Texas, majoring in music theory. He received his master’s degree in 1977.

Two years later, John accepted an offer to join the Jim Cullum Jazz Band in San Antonio, and he has been with the band ever since. The band has toured Europe, appeared at Carnegie Hall, make countless recordings and, since 1989, has been featured on Riverwalk, Live From the Landing, which is syndicated and broadcast on 200 Public Radio International affiliates weekly.

Since 1979, John has served as principal arranger for the JCJB and has written more than 1,000 arrangements for the ensemble. In addition to his JCJB work, John has appeared at the Central Illinois Jazz Festival with Brooks Tegler’s Hot Jazz, and recorded and arranged for John Otto’s Hotel Edison Roof Orchestra.

In 1990, John began a long association with Banu Gibson. Since then, he has added many orchestrations to her orchestral library and written many arrangements for her own band, New Orleans Hot Jazz.

In 2000, John was the subject of a cover story for The Mississippi Rag and was interviewed by Lee Prosser on Jazzreview.com. He departed the Jim Cullum Jazz Band in 2003 and has been pursuing a full-time freelance career since.