John "JoJo" Hermann was born in New York City then moved to Oxford, Mississippi after college. It was there he became increasingly inspired by the delta blues and his love for Professor Longhair style piano. He began playing with the local band Beanland after a friend of the band heard him playing on an old upright piano at the Hoka Club also in Oxford. After extensive touring of the Southeast with Beanland he then went on to join Athens, Georgia based Widespread Panic in 1992 with whom he still plays keyboard and organ. JoJo is known for his lead vocals on many New Orleans style jazz and blues covers and originals along with soul moving gospel sounds coming from his organ and of course his New Orleans style piano playing. His has been heavily influenced by artist such as Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Junior Kimbrough and Otha Turner among others. In recent years JoJo has particapated in several side projects most notably, Smiling Assassins (his first solo project) & JoJo and His Mojo Mardi Gras Band.
