John played piano in the Dumfries Youth Jazz Group from an early age but switched to playing drums at the age of 13 when he joined the school band.

John has received tuition from Alyn Cosker, Tom Gordon and Andrew Bain and has been lucky enough to tour with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland and play and record with the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra, whom he continues to perform regularly with. He also took part in Paul Towndrow's Jazz Futures project last summer.

This September, he begins his studies in jazz at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama under course director Tommy Smith.

He also shares a birthday with Buddy Rich!