Before settling in the Bay Area, John Shifflett taught Jazz Studies and directed big bands at the University of Iowa, where he was working towards his M.A. in music. His distinctively soulful approach and stylistic range have made him one of the most sought after players in the Bay Area, and, alongside Jason Lewis, he makes up the Bay Area's first-call rhythm section.

He has performed with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Red Holloway, Ernie Watts, John Zorn, Kim Richmond, Kurt Elling, Norma Winstone, Tom Harrell, Bobby Hutcherson, Scott Hamilton, Harold Land, Esther Blue, Clarence Bell, and Harvey Wainapel, among others. His recording credits include the Peter Apfelbaum Sextet, the Will Bernard Quartet, Paul Nagel Trio, Anton Schwartz, Ray Brown's Great Big Band, Daniel Zinn, and Tim Volpicella.

Also a fine composer, Shifflett's compositions are performed as part of Dyer's regular repetoire, and are featured on Paul Nagel's recording, Trio.