John Vivian McVea, also known as Jack McVea, born on November 5, 1914, in Los Angeles, California, was an American swing, blues, and rhythm-and-blues woodwind player and bandleader. He started playing banjo before joining Lionel Hampton's orchestra in 1940. From 1944 onward, he led his own bands and performed at notable events like the first Jazz at the Philharmonic concert in 1944. McVea is best known for creating the musical riff for "Open the Door, Richard", recorded in 1946. He also contributed to T-Bone Walker's "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday is Just as Bad)" and sessions with Slim Gaillard featuring Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. McVea led the Royal Street Bachelors from 1966 until his retirement in 1992, playing Dixieland jazz at Disneyland's New Orleans Square. He passed away on December 27, 2000, in Los Angeles.
