John Wise - Bio

OK, not really going back that far - But I did start singing gospel music with my family at a very young age, the youngest of four brothers in Northern Ohio. When you start young, you get to learn how to sing all of the parts as your voice changes. I ended up carrying the bass part when Joe left for California, as midwestern brothers often do.

I started piano lessons when I was five and french horn when I was 9. (My mom considered brass instruments suitable replacements for more expensive orthodontia. Really.)

I attended Fort Hayes School for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Ohio for two years, followed by an exciting semester at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. I married the love of my life shortly after High School, and news that we were having a baby put my formal music training on hold. I joined the Navy and became an Air Traffic Controller. As Spock's father said, "It seemed logical at the time."

I was in and out of bands for a number of years, mostly playing solo at churches and the occasional talent show, when I was fortunate enough to pass an audition and join "Cliff Turner and the Afterburners" in State College, PA as their keyboardist. I owe a lot to Cliff and the guys for taking me in and showing me how working musicians actually work.

Following the Afterburners, I founded "The Hounds of Soul" with Sherri Orlofsky and Mike Siggins. The Hounds boasted nine members, including four horns. I arranged all of the horn parts, which turned out to be a lot of fun. In all, I put together about 120 songs for that group. The Hounds live on as "The Gill Street Band", and can still be heard in the State College area.

In 2012, I started "The Project", playing classic piano-based rock by Billy Joel and Elton John, among others. "The Project" has performed in several different forms, from solo piano and voice to five-piece band.

In 2013, I relocated to western New York, and was able to perform as a sub on both keys and bass guitar for the worship band at Fillmore Wesleyan Church in Fillmore, NY.

In 2014, I started giving piano and guitar lessons in my studio.

In 2015, I started work on "Speranza", a Christian project that will focus on re-introducing some of the Jesus music from the 60s-70s to churches and others. 

In 2016 through 2018, I concentrated on writing and producing music in my home studio.

In 2018, I relocated to the Buffalo, NY area.

In 2019, I joined "The Strangers" as their keyboardist and vocalist.

If you think I left anything out, let me know. I'm not shy about sharing.