A native North Carolinian with deep roots in the blues, John Westmoreland is a multidimensional musician. He has studied jazz and classical composition at Berklee College of Music, and has performed with legendary jazz guitarist Jim Hall. His mentors have included some of the most renowned guitar teachers in NC as well as the country. In 2011 He started collaborating with Senegalese griot Diali Cissokho who introduced him to the rich, captivating music of West Africa. Soon they were playing together in the nc based band Diali Cissokho & Kairaba, and now also perform together as a duo exploring the beautiful soundscapes of Kora and guitar. As a solo artist he plays his own dynamic, and sensitive interpretations— interweaving jazz standards, Bach, traditional music, some popular tunes, and original compositions.