Born in Chicago, Illinois, John Splithoff recently earned a degree in Jazz Studies from the
University of Miami, where he studied music theory and honed his songwriting
skills. Early on, he shared the stage with Patti
Austin, George Benson, Gloria Estefan, CeeLo Green, Dave Grusin, Bobby
McFerrin, Jon Secada, Clarence Clemons, Take 6 and Ben Folds. Splithoff
released an EP, The Move, in 2013 and
moved to New York to see if he could give it some traction. He is teaching at
the School of Rock.
Opening for Liam
Hayes at the Mercury Lounge
tonight, Splithoff presented an innovative mix of original songs with rhythm
& blues vocals and pop melodies with jazz and rock backdrops. The
impressive nature of his eclectic vocal style was that it was broad enough to
have fit equally at a folk club, a big band stage or a discotheque. Velvety
smooth, it went searching for a hook and then it grabbed it tenaciously. In
time, John Splithoff will find his audience.
Visit John Splithoff at www.johnsplithoff.com.