A Night of Giving | Monterey Connected

MUSIC & LIFESTYLE

A Night of Giving

On September 27th, I attended a benefit concert for Gilroy shooting victims at the Beerded Bean in Salinas. It was standing room only and even garnered the attention of the local news channel KION.

Having seen John Turri perform at this venue twice before, I expected an engaged crowd and entertaining evening, but what happened surpassed all expectations. What led to such an epic event? I set out on a mission to find out and thankfully, John Turri agreed to an interview.

It’s hard for him to think of himself as a musician. He still considers himself a serious athlete. Playing college basketball was the original plan. He found himself at 18, in his own words, “with a lot of time on his hands”.

John Turri performs at the Beerded Bean

July 26, 2019

Being a late starter in learning and performing music doesn’t mean music was an afterthought. His dad played guitar and he recalls vividly the sight of his mostly introverted mother letting her guard down during the worship music portion of church services as the spirit of the music moved her. He’s always admired worship music leaders because he believes that music is a universal language.

“I wanted the victims of the Gilroy shooting to know that there’s another community that still cares.”

Growing up in Southern California, there was never a shortage of super-talented peers to rub off on him. He taught himself music by watching videos on YouTube and then later through college classes. He gained experience from joining groups such as co-ed choir, chambers singers, and a capella groups that toured in Brazil where he still has a following of fans.

He jumped at the opportunity to become Musical Director at Compass Church in Salinas, which is known for its outstanding music program. He’s been a part of Compass Church for three years, since February of 2016.

Three years ago, his mother passed away partially due to ALS. Her untimely death left a void in his life that still affects him, and her and the grief he’s had to deal with is what makes up the greater portion of his original music. He still sees her as the greatest gift of his life. He says grief has led him to greater empathy for others. This empathy is what led him to want to give his time and donations to the victims of the Gilroy shooting. He had already donated a portion of t-shirt sales to the cause but wanted to do more.

The September 27 concert provided that opportunity. He says he wants Gilroy victims to know that there’s another community that still cares. Time passes and we move on with our lives but the survivors of the shooting victims are still in turmoil. He acknowledges the Beerded Bean for opening up the venue to provide the concert and for agreeing to donate a portion of the night’s sales for the cause.

The night’s entertainment started with some opening acts that the crowd seemed familiar with. There were high fives and cheers, and the crowd even sang along with some of the tunes. Then John Turri came out and hyped up the crowd. He describes himself as a clown who just wants to connect and talk with people. His outgoing personality and sense of humor is evident with the banter that goes on between him and the audience members. With a full band, he covers “Yellow” by Coldplay, “Gravity” by John Mayer and other tunes, while cracking jokes and inviting audience participation. He includes originals and the crowd sings along and he says that he can’t believe people know the words to his songs.

Then it’s time for the candlelit moment of silence. The mood shifts immediately. Lights are dimmed. He reads off the names of the three shooting victims in Gilroy, fighting back tears. Then he goes into a stirring rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers”.

The audience is subdued and thoughtful. If you were there, you would’ve been moved by the silence. If you were there, you would’ve walked away with a deeper appreciation for the loved ones still in your life.

John Turri honors victims of Gilroy shooting and performs Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran. September 2019

Hey, John: You may find it hard to see yourself as a musician and that’s because you’re not.

You are using your own traumatic experience of losing your mother as a way to relate to a hurting world. You’ve seen the power of music and its ability to change people. You took your experience of leading a music program and created an event and a place where residents could come together and express their grief, when they otherwise would not have had the occasion or place to do so.

You are a community leader.

Music is only your medium.

There’s more to come. He says he’s barely put his foot on the gas pedal. He plans to stay in the area and build on a growing fanbase, as well as finish his album, which has already been released in phases, and completion is happening soon. Look for more shows when it does.

Gilroy Benefit Concert

Beerded Bean, Sept. 27, 2019

Photo Credit: Garret Wasson

Opening Acts

Four singers and songwriters contributed to the entertainment. Each one was appreciated and we hope to hear more!

Chris Martinez

Fun Folk/Rock California style! Goes great with a cappuccino.

Marisa Aiko

She drew us in with her modesty and then she hit us with a bit of spunk! Unusual instrument accompaniments. More, please!

Sarah Servillas

She took us to church! Channeling her inner Stevie Nix. The crowd appreciated her bluesy vocals. Church experience pays off.

Victoria Favila

A crowd pleaser! We sang along to Maroon 5’s Sunday Morning. When equipment stopped working, she asked if we really wanted to go on and the crowd shouted yes!