John Stover (Guitar, Arranger)

Born: 1954 - Berkeley, California, USA

The American guitarist, John Stover, the son of a military officer, began his guitar studies at age ten and later received degrees from the Peabody and San Francisco Conservatories. His teachers have included Angel Romero, Aaron Shearer, Georg Sakellariou and Sophocles Papas.

In 1980, his debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall resulted in four encores and full standing ovation. The New York Times wrote: "He played as though the guitar were his best friend, and though the two of them wanted to share the truths they had hit upon. When counterpoint was involved, it emerged with a gentle clarity; when color and rhythmic complexity were required, they were forthcoming. Nothing was tense, strained or too difficult."

Of his first recording, Guitar Player Magazine wrote: "The young artist's command of his instrument's resources is impeccable, but more important, through his sensitive phrasing and exquisite tone color, Stover shows that he never loses sight of the deeper structure and emotional content of the music." John Stover has been widely seen on television in the USA on the Arts & Entertainment network. He has performed extensively with orchestras and chamber groups and in solo recitals in San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, New Orleans, Miami, Washington, D.C., Rio de Janiero and other cities.

Since 1980, John Stover has been on the Faculty of Memphis State University, and in his spare time enjoys sports and antique car restoration.

Source: Liner notes to the LP's 'John 'Stover Guitarist' (High Water, 1982) & 'The Great Etudes for Guitar (Spectrum, 1986)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (July 2008)

John Stover: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works

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