Jack McLaughlin is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and music educator from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.   His first solo album, The Season, represents a wide range of song styles, from bosa nova to country rock to acoustic blues.  Having studied with renowned jazz guitarist Joe Negri at Duquesne University, he incorporates a strong melodic and harmonic approach to solos in a jazz/blues vein.  Much of the rhythm guitar work can be traced to a long and varied musical background, which includes a stint backing up Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darlene Love. He has also performed and recorded for Carnival Cruise Lines in addition to playing in the orchestral pit for the musicals Sister Act, Hadestown: T. E. (Kelly Award Winner for Outstanding Musical 2025), Pippin, Jesus Christ Superstar, Divorce Of Course and Leonard Bernstein’s Mass. For the last six years Jack has performed at numerous festivals with the Pittsburgh Big Band Legends.

 

Having a Masters of Music (Theory) from Duquesne University, in addition to being certified in Orff-Schulwerk and Dalcroze eurthymics, has greatly influenced his role as a music educator. He was a guitar/piano instructor for many years at Music Innovations in the north hills of Pittsburgh. Additionally, Jack taught as classroom teacher for general music, chorus, percussion ensemble, guitar ensemble and ukulele ensemble.

 

Jack has recently released original compositions for chorus, piano and guitar.  In February of 2021 he was awarded Third Degree in the Golden International Music Festival for his piano composition “El Tiempe Es Ahora.” (Award ceremony in Vienna, Austria 2021.)  He was also a semi-finalist in The American Prize (Professional Choral) for his 2020 compositions “Little Tree” and “In The Garden.” In 2024 Jack was again finalist in The American Prize (Professional Choral) for his composition Peace and in 2025 for Thou Flower Of Summer.   His latest CD project is an original children’s album entitled “Songs For Kids And Cats.”  As with “The Season,” there were again contributions from rising opera sensation Anna Lahti on the CD.  Currently, Jack has just finished a collection of solo pieces developed specifically for plectrum guitar (jazz). In 2025 there will also be a collection video compositional works released to the public.

 

Among the various venues and events Jack has performed at:
Saturday Light Brigade (WRCT radio), Hambone’s Pub, Art All Night, Biddle’s Escape, Acoustic Moose Cafe, Mars Brew House, Spinning Plates Gallery, Carnival Cruise Lines, Java House, Coffee Buddha, Pittsburgh Public Market, Dead Horse Cantina And Music Hall, Penn Hill Coffee House Song Writer’s Showcase, Mckees Rocks Festival, John Anthony’s Restaurant, Gateway Lodge and Woods Spa, Java House, Skinny Pete’s Kitchen, LEAF Mini Golf Fundraiser, West End Light Up Night, Harvest Valley Farm Festival, Carnegie Coffee Company, Keynote Cafe, Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, “Spring Zing” (Baldwin Community United Methodist Church), “Doo Dah Days” (Stephen Foster), Market Square Merchant’s Association Summer Concert Series, Triple B’s Autumn Farm Festival, Lawrenceville Memorial Day Parade, Bloomfield Farmer’s Market, Swissvale Farmer’s Market, Tavern 245, Crafthouse Stage and Grill, “Career Talk” (KQV radio), Cedar Creek Park (Summer Concert Series), City of Monongahela 250th Celebration Concert, Monongahela Aquatorium Series 2024, Bukidnon Benefit Concert  2024,2025,  Kingfly Spirits, Le Resto * Use contact page info for booking engagements.