John Degory BIO
John Degory’s love for music began in the 3rd grade after attending a
school assembly that featured an accordion performance. Fascinated, he
asked his parents if he could learn to play. They rented him an accordion
from his teacher, and before long, John was gifted his own instrument. His
natural talent quickly showed—he often performed solos at recitals and
even played for nonprofit organizations through his teacher’s connections.
These early experiences gave him a taste for performing.
By junior high, John was forming bands that played at birthday parties and
local events. At 16, his parents bought him an Iorio Accorgan accordion,
and he began playing at weddings, clubs, VFWs, American Legions, and
Italian and Polish social halls. Around this time, he also purchased his first
Hammond organ—an M102 spinet with a 145 Leslie cabinet—and taught
himself to play, including mastering the bass pedals. His strong foundation
in music theory helped him adapt quickly, and soon he was playing organ in
bands.
At the University of Pittsburgh, John majored in Economics with minors in
History, Music, and Theater. While in school, he performed in clubs and at
college events, which helped pay for his tuition. After graduating in 1973,
he bought a Hammond B3 with a 760 Leslie and dove deep into the jazz
organ world, studying Jimmy Smith, Groove Holmes, and Jack McDuff. He
expanded his setup with a Fender Rhodes and synthesizers, and his band
blended top-40 with jazz influences. As bandleader, he booked gigs and
eventually took his group on tour, performing throughout the East and
Midwest for nearly 10 years at top hotels and venues.
When it was time to leave life on the road, John returned to Pittsburgh,
found a day job, and continued performing locally. Agent Mitch DuVall
paired him with guitarist/singer Mickey Cherico and a drummer to form a
jazz trio, with John on Hammond B3 and bass pedals. They played all the
major Pittsburgh jazz clubs.
Soon after, John formed a Funk/R&B group that evolved into Night Shift, a
high-energy dance band that became his core project for the next 35 years.
The band played top clubs, hotels, and casinos across Western
Pennsylvania. Even while leading Night Shift, John continued to freelance
with many Pittsburgh musicians.
After selling his software company, John and his wife relocated to Vero
Beach, Florida. Wanting to return to his B3 roots, he connected with the
Treasure Coast jazz community and began playing in duos, trios, and
quartets. Over the years, he has shared the stage with notable musicians
including Jeff Medina (former Commodores guitarist), Gary Haas (bassist
and musical director for Chaka Khan), and Billy Davis (touring member of
the Ohio Players), among many others.
Today, John remains an active part of the Florida music scene, performing
regularly with his R&B/Funk band and his organ trio. With a lifetime of
experience and passion for the Hammond B3, he continues to entertain
audiences and plans to keep gigging for years to come.
school assembly that featured an accordion performance. Fascinated, he
asked his parents if he could learn to play. They rented him an accordion
from his teacher, and before long, John was gifted his own instrument. His
natural talent quickly showed—he often performed solos at recitals and
even played for nonprofit organizations through his teacher’s connections.
These early experiences gave him a taste for performing.
By junior high, John was forming bands that played at birthday parties and
local events. At 16, his parents bought him an Iorio Accorgan accordion,
and he began playing at weddings, clubs, VFWs, American Legions, and
Italian and Polish social halls. Around this time, he also purchased his first
Hammond organ—an M102 spinet with a 145 Leslie cabinet—and taught
himself to play, including mastering the bass pedals. His strong foundation
in music theory helped him adapt quickly, and soon he was playing organ in
bands.
At the University of Pittsburgh, John majored in Economics with minors in
History, Music, and Theater. While in school, he performed in clubs and at
college events, which helped pay for his tuition. After graduating in 1973,
he bought a Hammond B3 with a 760 Leslie and dove deep into the jazz
organ world, studying Jimmy Smith, Groove Holmes, and Jack McDuff. He
expanded his setup with a Fender Rhodes and synthesizers, and his band
blended top-40 with jazz influences. As bandleader, he booked gigs and
eventually took his group on tour, performing throughout the East and
Midwest for nearly 10 years at top hotels and venues.
When it was time to leave life on the road, John returned to Pittsburgh,
found a day job, and continued performing locally. Agent Mitch DuVall
paired him with guitarist/singer Mickey Cherico and a drummer to form a
jazz trio, with John on Hammond B3 and bass pedals. They played all the
major Pittsburgh jazz clubs.
Soon after, John formed a Funk/R&B group that evolved into Night Shift, a
high-energy dance band that became his core project for the next 35 years.
The band played top clubs, hotels, and casinos across Western
Pennsylvania. Even while leading Night Shift, John continued to freelance
with many Pittsburgh musicians.
After selling his software company, John and his wife relocated to Vero
Beach, Florida. Wanting to return to his B3 roots, he connected with the
Treasure Coast jazz community and began playing in duos, trios, and
quartets. Over the years, he has shared the stage with notable musicians
including Jeff Medina (former Commodores guitarist), Gary Haas (bassist
and musical director for Chaka Khan), and Billy Davis (touring member of
the Ohio Players), among many others.
Today, John remains an active part of the Florida music scene, performing
regularly with his R&B/Funk band and his organ trio. With a lifetime of
experience and passion for the Hammond B3, he continues to entertain
audiences and plans to keep gigging for years to come.