John Campbell

Pianist John Campbell stands out as a forceful performer whose inventive streak remains rooted in jazz tradition, earning him widespread recognition through his work with Mel Torme and the Terry Gibbs-Buddy DeFranco quintet. Piano study began for him at age seven, and 1977 brought a move to Chicago. The trio or quartet he fronted—originally billed as Campbell's Group—soon found steady work supporting road artists such as Eddie Jefferson with Richie Cole, Eddie Harris, and James Moody, while a 1981 European tour paired him with Clark Terry. Relocating to New York in 1984, Campbell substituted for Jim McNeely in Stan Getz's band. He became a member of Mel Torme's circle in 1986 and, shortly thereafter, aligned himself with Terry Gibbs. A Concord solo album, Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Vol. 29, appeared in 1993. Workin' Out surfaced eight years later following an extended recording gap.