John Toula

As a soloist, John Toula’s virtuoso guitar explores the charm and beauty of the musical adventure called jazz. His trio, JT3, and quartet, JT4, both honor the traditions of this wonderful art form.

While acquiring his bachelors degree at Cleveland State University, John performed several quarters with the university’s Jazz Orchestra, as well as becoming quite accomplished as a classical guitarist at that time. Well-schooled as a musician, he continued his quest for the jazz vocation studying with some of the areas finest teachers. “JT” is a 20-year-veteran full-time performer in Northeastern Ohio’s most well-known high energy dance clubs and corporate hotels. He has appeared in venues that ranged from Top 40, Rock, R&B, as well as Jazz.

However, over the last decade, he has dedicated his artistic journey to his first musical love: Jazz. His successful experiences have found him entertaining at Cleveland’s finest museums, galleries, restaurants, bookstores, and many other private and corporate venues. John tries to honor and respect the traditions of his jazz guitar heros: Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, and Pat Metheny.

Whether you experience him as a soloist, a duo, with the JT3 trio (with bass & drums), or the JT4 quartet (adding a sax or flute to the trio), you will agree his unique renditions of chordal phrasings and tasteful playing is a tremendously pleasant and joyous experience.

• Reviews
• Video
• Song List

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  Wonderful Wedding

  CMG was so helpful and quick to respond every step of the way while planning the music for our wedding reception. The result was to work with two phenomenal professionals, John Toula and his Jazz Trio, who played during our cocktail hour which set the mood for the rest of the evening, and DJ PJ, who kept everyone dancing the entire night. My guests came up to me declaring “I’ve never been to a wedding where the weird people were the ones who WEREN’T dancing.” The floor was packed, the whole time, I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’m ecstatic! Thank you everyone for making our wedding such a hit!

  Allison Wisniewski

  Jun 22, 2019

  Severance Hall

  Epic wedding according to our guests…

  If you are looking for a DJ for your wedding in Cleveland look no further than Scott Jones with CLE Music Group. He was truly outstanding. Speaking as the mother of the bride, Scott Jones took over from the moment we ended the ceremony to the end of the AMAZING reception. Our guests NEVER stopped dancing with Scott Jones. The dance floor was enjoyed by young and old alike. He made sure everyone could hear the toasts made to the couple and to highlight the IMPORTANT events. He truly is the guy!

  The Sonata Strings were outstanding, professional, and truly memorable for our daughter’s wedding. John Toula provided guitar music during our cocktail hour. I could not have been more pleased.

  I am a hard to please person (not from Cleveland) and CLE Music Group made me a believer in the gifts of Cleveland. I cannot THANK this outstanding organization enough. All weddings are special, but this was EPIC with the help of CLE Music Group.

  Lee Stanley

  April 28, 2018

  Old Courthouse, Cleveland

  A great combo for a fabulous evening

  We used John Toula for our ceremony and cocktail hour — he was so lovely to work with, nice, respectful and followed exactly what we asked for song-wise!

  For our reception The Sunrise Jones was awesome — we got people up on the dance floor immediately after dinner and it was packed for 3+ hours. Everyone loved them!

  Lindsay Rowan and Adam Herr

  Oct 1, 2016

  Aloft Cleveland Downtown

  Two Grand Slams!

  The guitar music by John Toula for the small outdoor wedding was beautiful and lent a nice quaint mood instead of recorded music. And then the Matt Horwich jazz trio under the reception tent was like we were treating our guests to a private concert!!

  Sara White

  Sept. 25 & 26, 2015

  Bay Arts & private residence

  Rain Didn’t Stop Our Party at Pine Lake Trout Club

  Erin Rossi was so helpful in the planning process and helped us find the perfect musicians for our event, John Toula (guitar) for the ceremony and DJ Jeff Kavali for the reception. Both were amazing to work with! John and Jeff were both so flexible and helped keep our guests entertained, despite the rain and impeding flood waters’ best efforts to stop our party. We could not have been more pleased with the music at our event! Thank you all so much for making this the best day of our lives!

  Kristen Pekarek

  May 30, 2015

  Pine Lake Trout Club

  JT3 was great. The trio is exactly what we wanted as background music for our corporate reception.

  Vickie Johns

  Nov. 13, 2007

  Windows on the River

  Please convey my thanks to John Toula for a great evening of guitar music for my Son’s Rehearsal Dinner… Not only was his music super, but he was quite personable. I will keep him in mind for any other affairs for which we need music. He sure is the guy!!

  Sally Greulich

  Sept. 13, 2007

  Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls

  The John Toula Trio served as a soft background that was essential for our customer function. They were courteous, professional, exactly what we were looking for, and the music was excellent.

  Jeanne Moore, Lanxess Corp. Appreciation Dinner

  Aug. 22, 2007

  Quail Hollow Resort

  John was fabulous!

  Laura Burns, Legend Financial Group, Open House

  July 2, 2007

  Legend Financial HQ

  I was exceptionally pleased with Johns JT3.

  Ellen & John Grady

  July 1, 2007

  We loved the entertainment from Jerry Bruno Productions – it was prefectly suited to our event and made our special day even more special!

  Lisa Bizjack

  July 1, 2007
  
  


• JT Songlist