John began playing swing music while attending Capital University in the late 70’s. After receiving a degree in Jazz Studies and Music Education he helped found the notorious “New Remnants Dance Orchestra”; a repertory swing band playing the original classic arrangements from the libraries of the great big bands, most notably the Count Basie Orchestra. He also started a long association with “Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians” in which he played under several leaders including Teddy Philips, Art Mooney and Al Pierson.

John attended the University of North Texas, received a Masters in Jazz Studies, taught in the Dallas Public Schools, and played in the Dallas area until his recent return to Central Ohio. He now teaches in the Westerville City Schools. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to play in various Big Bands led by the likes of Bob Crosby and Les Elgart and in the Ghost bands of Jimmy Dorsey and Benny Goodman among others. Currently John plays in Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra and Johnny Mack’s Superband. He has also had the opportunity to play with groups as diverse as the Columbus Symphony, The Columbus Jazz Orchestra and for the Palace Broadway Series. The John Vermeulen Octet is a smaller jazz/dance orchestra that has played various functions from weddings to the Galion Oktoberfest.