By the time he was 14, he was already performing in local Philadelphia jazz clubs with his father.
At the age of 18 DeFrancesco had achieved recognition on the Philadelphia scene for his blues vocals and guitar playing.
[2] In 1997, DeFrancesco joined the faculty of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he taught a number of notable guitarists including John Mayer.
He currently resides in Philadelphia, and performs with his group the Johnny DeFrancesco Power Trio.
He has worked with Duke Jethro, John Lee Hooker, Luther Tucker, Johnny Heartsman, and Ike Turner.