John Dutton was born in Denbighshire and became interested in writing music when he was about sixteen. He passed examinations for piano playing when he was much younger, but taught himself composition, writing light music for piano, such as rags, marches etc. in his spare time.
Many years later, in 1989, John decided to teach himself brass band arranging, even though he did not play a brass instrument.
Since then, he has written cornet solos, duets and quartets, and arranged various hymn tunes. To date, he has written nine marches, and arranged five by various composers, including two by R B Hall.