Award-winning bassist John Previti grew up in the Southern Maryland-D.C. area during the early sixties, immersed in the region’s bubbling cauldron of musical styles: swing, country, jazz, R&B, soul and the roots of rockabilly. In fourth grade he was strongly drawn to classical oboe and pursued it for five years.

By high school, the lure of rock and roll was too great. Electric bass was the rock instrument that spoke to him and within a year, John was playing in his high school’s stage band and getting his first paying gigs. In college he was drawn to the upright bass, seriously studying both jazz and classical bass at Prince George Community College.

In 1976, jamming on electric bass at a guitar shop in his hometown of Clinton, MD., he met guitar great Danny Gatton. Danny liked his playing so much he invited John to join the band he was just starting. That group went on to make guitar history and, with one hiatus, John played with Danny for the next eighteen years.

In addition to Danny Gatton, John has played with a number of amazing musicians. The list includes Paul Simon, Doc Cheatham, Charlie Byrd, Joey DeFrancesco, Buddy Emmons, Herb Ellis, Les Paul, Emmylou Harris, Arlen Roth, Johnny Winter, Buddy Charleton, Chick Hall Jr., Dale Watson, Bill Kirchen, Billy Hancock, Big Joe Maher, Brooks Tegler, Jim Stephanson, Joe Walsh, Greg Bissonette, Barrett Deems, T-99 Nelson, Floyd Dixon, Jimmmy McCracklin, Lenny Breau, Bill Watrous, Steve Abshire, Bernard Sweetney, Alan Vache', John MacCutcheon, Rick Whitehead, Barry Hart, and Junior Watson.

John performs today with a number of groups, including Big Joe Maher's Big Three Trio and Big Four Combo, and the Rick Whitehead Trio. In a labor of love, he leads the Mingus-Monk Tribute Big Band, which performs highly original arrangements of Mingus and Monk classics in monthly appearances. He's also part of the group Triplicity, along with former Gatton drummer Timm Biery.

His first recording as a leader, “Swinging Lullabies For My Rosetta” (Mapleshade 09632)) has received tremendous reviews. Other recent recordings include a Tribute to Danny Gatton with Big Joe Mayer and Joe Stanley (Mapleshade 03852), and a swing session with John Cocuzzi, Alan Vaché and Big Joe (Wildchild! 06652).

Over the years, John's won a number of awards for his rare talent. These include WAMA "Wammie" awards for Musician of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year, and Album of the Year.