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

Great musicians, easy to work with, and reasonable pricing. What more can I ask for?!
1) The sound tech Tyler was easy to work with at our women’s lunch. He was booked on short notice and was very professional.
2) The John Toula Trio set a great jazz vibe for the opening reception for our conference. Nice guys playing great music.
3) The Best Choice DJ (DJ BAM) for our Closing Reception got the job done and there is nothing more that I love than something easy.
4) Rossi & Romano closed out the night with us on the patio of the Rock Hall on a beautiful September night. They were wonderful and our guests loved the songs, the voice, and guitar.
Laura Caputo
Sept. 26, 2019
Hilton Cleveland Downtown, Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
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