Musician's Biographies
Getting to know.... John Pella
I was born in Wilkinsburg, PA, but I grew up in Southern California.
My grandfather played the cornet when he lived in Italy, and I think as a child he instilled the love of music in me. I remember listening
to 78’s with him; I was only 5, but I knew every one of his albums. While I was growing up, we never lived anywhere long enough to
take lessons. I was finally able to start lessons during my freshman year of high school and, subsequently, I majored in music at
a local community college for 2 years.
I joined the Army in 1965, spent a year in Viet Nam, 1967 – 1968.
In 1972, I returned to college; received a BS degree in Computer
Information Technology, and spent much of my “former life” as a Senior Staff Systems Engineer.
My wife, Sandy, and I moved into Sun City only a short time ago and we thoroughly enjoy the change of life-style. When not
playing my favorite style of swing era jazz, I spend time making furniture.
The “Society” has given me the opportunity to work on the Dixieland style and to improve my skills performing in front of a live
audience.