J. Shelby

J. has been a teacher for 32 years and has worked with thousands of students. His experience as a teacher and player inspires students to participate in diverse traditions of American popular, classical, world musics.

His private and group lessons creatively explore songs, riffs, rhythm parts, bass lines, melodies, and sneak in how to read all forms of notation and strive to understand harmony as it relates to a broad range of popular musical styles including Jazz, Blues, Rock, Funk, Country, Folk and more. Students are encouraged towards performance, composition, improvisation and make use of the latest in music learning technologies.

"I try to learn from every thing and every one." Like guitar-great Tuck Andress, J believes in self-realization and spiritual development through the art of playing music. A good guitar teacher can open your mind to the fantastic possibilities of the instrument.

Having a wildly successful, experienced individual who loves teaching and who's on your side with your best interest at heart is better than any book or video or teacher with less commitment. Your first lesson is always free. See for yourself how excellence in instruction creates excellence in YOU.

J. was born on the same day as blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn and got his first guitar when he was a 5 years old.
In his first career, he managed a martial arts school in Napa California. That experience formed his positive approach to teaching.

In 1988 J. began private instruction with Master Guitarist Steve Sage. He studied privately 3 years as well as 8 semesters of The Electric Pop Guitar Class at D.V.C. Was a member of DVC's Guitarkestra, a nine piece electric guitar orchestra led by Sage. J. attended clinics with such artists as Bruce Forman, Robben Ford, Jennifer Batton, Warren Nunes and many others. He began live performance with various bands from 1990 to the present.

1992 - 1996 Studied with Jazz Great Warren Nunes - Guitarist, Author, Teacher. Among Nunes' many books he's most well known for his Jazz Chord Bible published by Warner Bros.

J. has led bands; "The Tone Fleas," "The Pleasers," "String Cheese," "Emerald City," "Acme Blues Band," "Three Of A Kind" and "Out Of The Blue." He also toured with "The Lisa Michaels Project," "LaDeanna!" and "Lori Davidson And The Intruders."

Since 2004, J. continues his study of music as a student of master musician W. A. Mathieu. Mathieu is one of the world's most renowned and influential composers living today. He is also an author and a teacher. His consciousness raising books include: "A Musical Life," "The Listening Book," "Harmonic Experience, Tonal Harmony from its natural origins to its modern expression" and "Bridge Of Waves"

In Late 2006 J. opened the 851 Music Studio, the most innovative place to learn music in the North Bay Area. Grand opening of new location at 1043 Grant St, August 1, 2011. When he's not teaching lessons, he's reading, playing, composing, geeking out with a computer or heading out to the beach.