| EDUCATION |
| 2002 |
Califonia State University, Dominguez Hills
Master of Humanities
1995 Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
B. A. Music, Cum Laude - Performance Emphasis
|
| 1993 |
Crafton Hills College, Yucaipa, California
Associate in Arts
|
| 1980 |
Dick Grove School of Music, Studio City,
California
Completion of Composing and Arranging Program
|
| 1969 |
Berklee School of Music, Boston, Mass.
One Year of Study (Jazz)
|
| 1968 |
Mesa College, San Diego, California
Two Years of Study (Music)
|
| 1966 |
Kearny High School, San Diego, California
Graduated General Education
|
| Employment |
2005 to present
|
Hearshend Family Entertainment (currently)
Bandleader, arranger, performer on the
Branson Belle Showboat.
Arranger, Music Director, Conductor,
Performer for the “World Music Festival
Italian Show at Silver Dollar City
theme park. Arrangements for Cory Pesaturo,
world champion accordion player.
Les Brown Band of Renown, Branson, Mo.
(currently)
Music Director, Arranger, Pianist, Vocalist
Arranged shows for and performed on PBS
specials.
“Branson Jubilee” “Neal McCoy Special”
Arranged and Recorded CD’s with:
Shirley Jones
The Lettermen
Jan Daley
Carrie April Tillis
Conductor for the pops concert with the
Springfield Symphony. |
| |
|
| 1993 to 2005 |
College of the Redwoods, Eureka , Calif.
Associate Professor, Jazz Studies,
Jazz improvisation, Jazz Orchestra, Ensembles
Humboldt State University, Arcata, Calif.
Lecturer, part - time, teaching class piano
and studio lessons.
Piano Accompanist for Jazz Vocal Choir,
working individually with vocalists as a
coach and in performances.
Big Band arranging classes teaching concepts
of scoring for big band.
Free lance work in Humboldt and Trinity
Counties as a private teacher, arranger and
performer.
The Eureka Inn, Eureka Calif.
Entertainment director, performer.
William James Foundation, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Arts in Corrections Instructor at Pelican Bay
State Prison, Crescent City, California.
Responsibilities include directing inmate
band and teaching jazz history and
theory. |
| |
|
| 1980 to 1993 |
Les Brown and His Band of Renown, Los
Angeles, Calif.
Pianist, arranger/composer, vocalist. Many
performances world wide including all of the
Bob Hope television specials during this
period. Accompanist for many celebrities such
as Glen Campbell, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr.
Andy Gibb, Pat Boone, Debby Boone, Peggy Lee,
Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra, Frank Sinatra Jr,
Johnny Cash, Buddy Defranco, Helen Forest,
Horace Heidt, Bill Hollman, Waylon Jennings,
Ann Jillian, Rich Little, Sammy Nestico, The
Pied Pipers, The Pointer Sisters, Henry
Questa, Don Rader, The Los Angeles Raider
Band, and many others.
Shows on CBS, NBC, ABC, KCET and TBN.
The Mizi Gaynor Show
Conductor and Pianist responsible for all
rehearsals and performances. Duties included
organizing musical contractors, sketching
dance routines and directing the show.
University of Redlands Redlands, California
Adjunct professor of jazz teaching jazz
piano, jazz history, jazz improvisation, jazz
combo and big band jazz ensemble.
Staff Pianist and Organist, Los Angeles,
Calif.
Staff pianist and organist for several
prominent churches in the Los Angeles area
such as Van Nuys Baptist, Van Nuys, United
Community, Glendale and Calvary
Bible,Burbank.
Free lance work in Southern California as a
private teacher, arranger, conductor,
producer and performer.
Lexicon Music Publishing, Canoga Park, Calif.
Editor and producer for several projects
including music publishing and recording. |
| |
|
| 1970 to 1980 |
George Liberace Orchestra, Las Vegas, Nev.
Pianist with the orchestra performing in
major hotels throughout California and
Nevada.
Free lance work in Southern California,
Nevada and Arizona as a performer with
several combos.
|
| Personal |
John Raczka has a lifetime career in music beginning in 1965. During those years he has worked as a pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, vocalist and accordionist with many musicians and performers including Les Brown, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Peggy Lee, Bob Hope, Glen Campbell, Bill Hollman, Henry Questa, Buddy Defranco, Johnny Cash, Mel Torme and countless others. His writing and performing have been featured on many television shows on NBC, CBS, PBS and ABC.
John has also worked as a professor in several U.S. Colleges and Universities teaching jazz theory, jazz history, jazz piano and jazz arranging. He holds a Masters degree in Humanities and a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance. John is currently writing and performing for Herschend Family Entertainment in Branson Missouri and is a featured accordion player in several shows. He is also the music director for Les Brown’s Band of Renown. |
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| Contact |
JOHN D. RACZKA
(417) 331 - 1141
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