Johnny A. Set to dazzle with a Fresh Trio at Yoshi’s
Johnny A. knows that to captivate an audience, an artist must continually evolve and surprise. When GP Presents visited Yoshi’s in Oakland at the beginning of 2025, he mesmerized a full house with his masterful solo looping techniques. His deep dive into this innovative performance style led to an in-depth feature interview that explored his creative process.
A New year, A New Sound
As Johnny A. returns to the Bay Area in early 2026, fans can expect a completely revamped show. This time, he’ll be joined by two remarkable musicians from Southern California: Evan Coniglio, known for his work with Quincy Jones and Burt Bacharach on bass, and Vancil Cooper, who has performed with Hamilton and Queen Latifah on drums. Together, they will usher in the New Year with an eagerly awaited performance on the first Wednesday of January 2026.
Signature Sound with a Twist
After switching from his iconic Gibson guitar to a Fender model a few years ago, Johnny A. confirms that his signature sound remains intact. “I’ll be playing my signature Strat,” he shares,hinting at the familiar tones fans have come to love.
Musical Journey and Evolution
The upcoming setlist promises a blend of classic blues rock infused with a selection of his instrumental pieces. “It’s going to be a mix of a lot of classic-style blues rock, with a few of my instrumentals thrown in,” Johnny explains. “This time, there won’t be as much focus on chord/melody arrangements.”
Interestingly, it was his instrumental work that initially propelled him into the spotlight as a solo artist.johnny A. is one of the last musicians to achieve a genuine instrumental guitar hit on mainstream radio. His track “Oh Yeah,” released around the turn of the millennium, marked his transition from music director for Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band to a celebrated solo artist with his debut album, Sometime Tuesday Morning.
Following a series of triumphant solo projects, Johnny joined the iconic Yardbirds, taking on the lead guitar role previously held by the legendary Jeff Beck. As Beck’s passing on January 10, 2023, Johnny has been leading a tribute band called Beck-Ola, focusing on instrumental pieces characterized by a whammy-infused, melodic style. He has also incorporated more vocal performances into his repertoire. Although he used to tour the West Coast frequently with a trio, it has been a while sence he last performed in this format, making this upcoming show especially exciting.
Join us for an Unforgettable Night
If you find yourself in the San Francisco Bay Area at the start of 2026, don’t miss the chance to see Johnny A.in this special trio performance presented by GP. Attendees will also receive complimentary Martin strings at the lobby table.
The best way to ensure your spot and secure great seats is to grab advance tickets now.
WIN TICKETS!
For a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Johnny A. live in Oakland, California, on Wednesday, January 7, send an email to [email protected] with “Johnny A.” in the subject line. Include a brief introduction about yourself and your reasons for wanting to attend. Providing a phone number for confirmation is highly appreciated.
Winners will need to arrange their own transportation to Yoshi’s in Oakland and secure accommodations in the Bay Area. Good luck!
EVENT DETAILS
GP Presents Johnny A
Wednesday, January 7
Yoshi’s
Jack London Square, Oakland, California
Doors open at 7 p.m.; Show starts at 8 p.m.
Free packs of Martin strings will be available!
Get your tickets now!
