John Shannon – A Day in Tarifa (Jazzbook Records)

When it comes to soulful, blues-drenched, straight-ahead jazz, few cities swing like Pittsburgh. Guitarist John Shannon, born and raised in the Steel City, stands firmly in the lineage of George Benson, Jimmy Ponder, Joe Pass, and Joe Negri — hometown masters who carried Pittsburgh’s singular rhythmic feel to audiences worldwide.

Shannon now steps forward with his debut full-length jazz album, A Day in Tarifa — out October 3 on CD, November 28 digitally, and December 5 on vinyl via Jazzbook Records. The album’s classic organ-trio lineup features Cliff Barnes on Hammond B3 and James Johnson III on drums. Together they deliver a set that stretches from hometown tributes like “Four One Two” and “Liberty Bridge” to the windswept Spanish coast that inspired the title track.

“This is actually my first jazz record,” Shannon says. “I’ve released other projects, but this is the first one written specifically for the organ trio format.” The result is both a return and a reinvention — music grounded in Pittsburgh swing but shaped by his travels, his ear for nature, and his restless search for sound.

Shannon’s musical journey began early. Picking up guitar at six, he was already performing in Pittsburgh clubs by high school, mentored by bassist Dwayne Dolphin, saxophonist Eric Kloss, and organist Mike Ross. At Berklee, he studied with Mick Goodrick and Wayne Krantz alongside peers Hiromi Uehara, Bob Reynolds, Walter Smith III, and Kendrick Scott. By nineteen he was touring Europe with his band Waking Vision, and shortly after, he was performing worldwide with Hiromi’s Sonicbloom.

Though A Day in Tarifa marks his first official jazz statement, Shannon’s resume is wide-ranging. His early solo albums (American Mystic, Songs of the Desert River, Time Was a Lie) drew critical praise for their intimacy. Later, he explored new ground with the rock trio theSHIFT, contributed to SweetPro (Reggie Watts’ ensemble behind Louie), scored Louis C.K.’s film Fourth of July, and produced State of Mind for Con Alma Records, documenting Pittsburgh’s jazz scene during the pandemic. His recent projects include Guitar Improvisations (2018) and Waking Vision’s The Breathing Earth (2023). In 2022 he signed with Jazzbook Records, with A Day in Tarifa as his first release for the label.

Still, Pittsburgh remains his anchor. “They call it the ‘Pittsburgh quarter note,’” Shannon explains. “If you don’t swing, you’re not part of the scene.” He credits figures like drummer Roger Humphries (of Song for My Father fame) and bassist Dwayne Dolphin as mentors who embody that working-class, soulful groove passed down by Benson, Ponder, Pass, and Negri.

The album itself is a tapestry of influences. “Allegheny Current,” “Four One Two,” and “Liberty Bridge” paint his hometown in sound. “Marseille” nods to Ahmad Jamal, another Pittsburgh giant. The title track captures the windswept mystique of Tarifa, Spain — “where you can see North Africa across the water, and the wind never stops,” Shannon says. Other pieces, like “Golden Wave,” “Sunrise,” “Star Travel,” and “Slipstream,” channel his connection to rivers, trees, and natural rhythms.

Choosing the organ trio is also a statement of identity. Guitar, organ, and drums — a setting popularized by Jimmy Smith and extended by Grant Green — create a sound that’s both gritty and hypnotic. “I love the trance-like nature of the organ trio,” Shannon says. With Barnes’ shimmering organ and Johnson’s deep-pocket swing, A Day in Tarifa radiates Pittsburgh soul while embracing Shannon’s global outlook.

Underlying it all is his belief in the song. “All the great jazz musicians were great songwriters,” he explains. “That’s where your voice develops — in your own music.”

That sense of voice is also spiritual. Influences like Ravi Shankar’s Chants of India echo in Shannon’s meditative, searching approach — a throughline in all his projects.

Beyond performing, Shannon co-founded Con Alma, one of the few musician-owned jazz clubs in the U.S. Since 2019, he has curated the Pittsburgh venue, programming local legends and international artists alike. Named one of Esquire’s Best Bars in America and streamed worldwide through OH! Jazz, Con Alma has become a hub for reawakening the city’s jazz identity.

With A Day in Tarifa, John Shannon makes his clearest statement yet: a bridge between Steel City grit, Mediterranean winds, and his own singular sound. Tours are planned in Central Europe, Texas, and India, alongside hometown shows.

Tracklist

1. Four One Two

2. Liberty Bridge

3. Allegheny Current

4. Marseille

5. A Day in Tarifa

6. Golden Wave

7. Sunrise

8. Star Travel

9. Slipstream