After graduating from Eržvilkas elementary school, he studied music for a while with Varlaukis organist V. Zigmantavičius. 1894-1898 studied at the Warsaw Music Institute, where he obtained the qualifications of a music teacher and military bandmaster, studied organ for one year with prof. Aloyza Butkevičius. He spent his summer holidays in Skliauscii and organized choirs.
in 1898 returned to Lithuania and was appointed Kapellmeister of the Kaunas crew of the tsarist army. The orchestra was based in Kaunas, Kretinga, Gargždai. in 1904 in the summer, the Kretinga dragoon regiment orchestra held concerts in Palanga.
in 1905 settled in Kaunas and was the bandmaster of the 1st infantry regiment of the Kaunas fortress, at the urging of Juoz Naujalis he organized the children's choir of the "Dainas" society and in 1906-1909 he led it (four children of J. Naujalis sang in the choir), organized concerts of Lithuanian songs, wrote articles for the magazine "Vargonininkas". 1905-1907 during the revolutionary movement, the youth were taught revolutionary songs. in 1908 He organized the first Lithuanian choir in Skliausciai, which later grew from 11 participants to 62, and in Eržvilka - the first brass band. 1910 gathered a choir of 85 people in Nemakščiai, made efforts to have the choir sing in Lithuanian in the church, organized May celebrations.
in 1912 came to Tauragė, tried to establish a music school, organized choirs, participated in the activities of theater lovers, organized evening concerts. in 1915 retired to Skliauscii, where he revived the choir and in 1916 organized a big concert. in 1918 He established a music school in Panevėžys and headed it for a short time.
in 1919 was mobilized into the Lithuanian army and entered the 1st Regiment of the Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania, worked as a bandmaster in Marijampole, Alytus and Klaipėda, performed in Palanga. in 1925 returned to Skliauscii, where he played the organ and led the choir.
Later, he taught music at Tauragė teachers' seminary and commercial school, organized choirs and orchestras. In 1927, he participated with the joint choir of Tauragė (200 participants). at the song festival in Klaipėda and in 1928 at the all-Lithuanian song festival in Kaunas. In 1930, he participated with the large choir of Varlaukis "Vilniui vadouti" union. at the all-Lithuanian song festival in Kaunas. 1930-1939 lived in Paistry, where he played the organ and led the choir, in 1934. conducted the Panevėžys military orchestra in 1937. taught at organists' courses in Panevėžys.
J. Gudavičius collected and harmonized Lithuanian folk songs, wrote articles on various music issues, participated in the activities of the "Dainas" society, trained many good musicians, conductors, organists and music teachers.
He composed 72 songs, 51 hymns, 3 masses, 46 pieces for brass band and 6 pieces for piano. 1912, 1920, 1928, 1932 and 1970. published collections of his songs and hymns. He used elements of Lithuanian musical folklore in his work. Knight of the Vytis Cross and Vytautas the Great Orders, 1919. a volunteer who contributed a lot to the development of musical culture in Lithuania, especially in the periphery.
