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John Shillito's

SELECT JAZZ

Hello!   I'm John Shillito, jazz trumpeter and bandleader.   You may possibly know me from my performances at jazz clubs and festivals over the years; or, maybe you've met me as a Host of Saga Jazz Holidays.   I guess I'm what they call a " veteran" now, as I've been playing my music in the "traditional jazz" styles of New Orleans for over 60 years; but I'm still full of youthful energy and enthusiasm, very active and having a lot of fun playing my favourite music and making lots of good friends with my bands.

Welcome to the website, and, meet the bands.....

John Shillito's SELECT SIX

entertaining and exciting contemporary New Orleans Jazz to add Creole spice to any occasion!

 

and 

John Shillito's SELECT FOUR

sweet, hot and swinging!

Please keep clicking through the website to find out more about our musical activities, who we are and where you can find us.   You'll enjoy listening to our CDs, and we'd love you to book us to jazz things up a bit at your club, pub, restaurant, dance, wedding, birthday, festival or corporate function.   You won't be disappointed!

I'm based in the South West of England (Devon), but I travel almost anywhere, and I call my bands "Select" because that's just what they are!   I've carefully chosen combinations of musicians from the best there are in my part of the country who play outstanding jazz to suit any occasion or location - from a small party or pub to a large festival, concert or promotion, even a funeral.   Although Devon-based, every one of us has national reputation as a talented musician and fine professional performer and entertainer.

We're not "telephone bands" or "pick-up groups" - quite the reverse - we are two busy and well organised and professional bands with our own very special repertoires.   When you book one of my SELECT bands, with very few exceptions, you'll get the musicians featured on this website.  

We are dedicated to the music we play and I think we present some of the best, liveliest, freshest and swinging musical jazz that you can hear in the contemporary New Orleans, Dixieland style.  

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 And, as well as blowing my trumpet - here's something else I'm having fun doing these days!

For the last few years I've also been working as a Host on JAZZ HOLIDAYS promoted by SAGA, the well known company that specialises in popular holidays for those of us who've reached a certain age!   SAGA run all sorts of "special interest" holidays.   Quite a few of them involve music and I'm glad that they've recognised the appeal that jazz will have to many of their potential customers.

I can certainly recommend SAGA JAZZ HOLIDAYS and I enjoy making and meeting friends on the events that I host.   Many guests keep coming back again and again - so that's a recommendation if you've never tried one!   We feature some of the best jazz bands from the UK.   You have opportunities to get to know the musicians and I give illustrated presentations on different aspects of jazz, its musicians and its history.   As a lifetime jazz enthusiast I really enjoy sharing the music with our guests and I do my best to see that everyone maximises their enjoyment of the music.   There are other interesting features and excursions to be enjoyed too, so that you can discover and enjoy all sorts of things associated with a particular holiday location.   The holidays are always great fun - we've not had a dud one yet!

Please take a look at the great programme that SAGA has arranged for 2013.

Hosted by John Shillito,

  SAGA jazz holidays   

Always comfortable, well appointed hotels in great locations.   The best musicians & bands plus friendly guests, like you!

2013  

THERE'S A JAZZ HOLIDAY HERE THAT'S JUST RIGHT FOR YOU!

16th SEPTEMBER 2013. QUEENS HOTEL, BOURNEMOUTH. STEVE GRAHAM'S JAZZ & RAGTIME QUARTET, CHRIS PEARCE FRENCHMENS STREET JAZZ BAND, THE DART VALLEY STOMPERS & THE SUNSET CAFE STOMPERS.    Come and enjoy a different band each night at one of our most popular venues.   4 NIGHTS HALF BOARD. Holiday code: AN398.

23rd SEPTEMBER 2013. CRAIGLANDS HOTEL, ILKLEY, YORKSHIRE. SAVANNAH JAZZ BAND, NEW ORLEANS HEAT, CHICAGO TEDDYBEARS, MILLENIUM EAGLE JAZZ BAND. 4 NIGHTS HALF BOARD.   4 quality bands in another cracking new hotel and location!   Holiday code: AN430.

29th SEPTEMBER 2013. STRADEY PARK HOTEL, LLANELLI, WALES. HOTSY TOTSY, JB JAZZ AND BLUES BAND, LIBERTY STREET JAZZ BAND, RICHARD LEACH & KEVIN GRENFELL'S SLIDE BY SLIDE. 4 NIGHTS HALF BOARD.   Back again at this super hotel with the same great bands!   Holiday code: AN428.

8th OCTOBER 2013. JAZZ ON THE RHINE RIVER CRUISE. A 7 NIGHT CRUISE WITH JAZZ ON THE BEAUTIFUL RHINE AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.    JOHN SHILLITO'S SELECT SIX.    My own band take you on a wonderful jazz cruise.   Cabins are almost sold out - so you'd better hurry!   Cruise code: AN154.

28th OCTOBER 2013. BEST WESTERN HOTEL SALOBRENA, SPAIN. THE ALAN GRESTY / BRIAN WHITE RAGTIMERS. 7 NIGHTS ALL INCLUSIVE.    A whole week in a great location and super hotel with a wonderful band that's one of my favourites!   Joy!   Recommended!   Full details on the SAGA website.   Holiday code: AN239

23rd DECEMBER 2013. CRAIGLANDS HOTEL, ILKLEY, CHRISTMAS JAZZ IN YORKSHIRE. SAVANNAH JAZZ BAND, NEW ORLEANS HEAT, RICHARD LEACH'S SEVEN STARS OF JAZZ, JOHN SHILLITO and SIMON BANKS. 4 NIGHTS FULL BOARD.   Saga Christmas Holidays are great parties.   This is going to be amongst the best!   A great value package, treat yourself!   Holiday code: XX619. 

SAGA ARE PLANNING SOME MORE GREAT JAZZ HOLIDAYS IN 2014, TOO!  LOCATIONS WILL INCLUDE THE MAKARSKA RIVIERA IN CROATIA, SALINA BAY IN MALTA, VILAMOURA ON THE ALGARVE COAST OF PORTUGAL, ANOTHER RHINE JAZZ CRUISE, AND A RETURN TO SALOBRENA.   THERE WILL ALSO BE JAZZ HOLIDAYS IN THE UK IN BOURNEMOUTH, ILKLEY AND LLANELLI WITH SOME BANDS THAT ARE NEW TO SAGA PLUS SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITES.

Phone SAGA free... UK holidays 0800 414 444. Europe holidays 0800 056 6078. 

 

To book me or my bands, please call 01752 691356 or 07977 577 32or e-mail me

JOHN SHILLITO: ENTERTAINING, TRUMPET LED JAZZ WITH BANDS TO ENHANCE ANY OCCASION

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