JOHN STANO is an award winning singer songwriter and performer of Americana, Blues, Folk and Contemporary Acoustic music. The trademark of his sound is a distinctive blend of acoustic and slide guitar, harmonica and expressive vocals, developed over many years of performance and study. He sometimes adds a little mandolin, cigar box guitar or banjo to the mix as well. His style could be described as acoustic folk-blues or Americana.

Initially self-taught, John went on to study American fingerstyle guitar at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and harmonica with national blues legend, Jim Liban. ‘Sing Out’ compared John’s music to early Bob Dylan while ‘Dirty Linen’ was reminded of Country Joe McDonald. John studied English and creative writing at U.W. Madison. A skillful use of language adds an original spark to his lyrics. Besides his own songs, John also performs his own arrangements of urban and country blues classics, instrumentals and contemporary songs, covering music by artists such as; John Prine, Bob Dylan, Greg Brown, Little Walter, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, John Fahey, Gillian Welch, Leo Kottke and Tom Waits.

John is a flexible and engaging performer who works regularly at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues. He also teaches guitar, harmonica, banjo and other acoustic instruments privately and has received numerous arts grants to present blues history, harmonica performance, ukulele and song writing classes in the Milwaukee public schools and private institutions such as Mount Mary College and Waukesha County Technical College.

Dennis Waltman joins him on dobro.

Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.