John Shillito's

SELECT JAZZ

Hello!   I'm John Shillito!   I'm an active and long established British jazz trumpeter and bandleader playing in the "traditional jazz" styles of New Orleans.   

You may already know me from my performances with many bands at jazz clubs and festivals over the years; or, maybe, as a Host of Saga Jazz Holidays.

Thanks for looking in and welcome to the website.   I have a lot of fun playing my favourite music and making lots of good friends with my 2 bands.

I'd like to introduce them to you.....

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 get the musicians featured on this website.  

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

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

Since May 2008 it has been my pleasure to be a Jazz Host on SAGA JAZZ HOLIDAYS.   I've made many good new friends on these events and I look forward to welcoming you.   I'll work hard to ensure that you have an enjoyable time and get the most out of the jazz events of your holiday.   As a lifetime jazz enthusiast, I really enjoying sharing the music with our guests.   The bands are always superb and there's a variety of different holiday settings.   Come and enjoy my talks and presentations about jazz, which I illustrate with my trumpet and a large collection of recordings and videos.   There are other interesting features - too - special presentations and excursions associated with each holiday location.   Saga is a name you can trust for a good holiday product.   So - come along to relax and have a great holiday sharing in the jazz and fun at one of these super events?   I shared some really memorable music and holiday experiences with a lot of friendly personalities and excellent musicians in 2010 and 2011 and SAGA has invited me to host another very attractive programme of jazz holidays for 2012.   I know that they're bound to be popular - so please book as soon as you can!   I look forward to seeing you - good times are guaranteed!

You need to know about…

SAGA JAZZ HOLIDAYS

Super music!   Great locations!   People like you!   People you'll like!

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE!

23^rd February 2012 – Holiday Code AN388 – 7 nights full board at the Crowne Plaza Vilamoura (4Q), Portugal from £679 – 5 evenings of lively jazz from Tony Scrivens New Orleans Jazz Band.   UK drummer Tony now lives in Portugal and has assembled a super and popular band of ex-pat and local musicians who will be augmented by the wonderful Annie Hawkins on double bass and John Shillito on trumpet.   Hosted by John Shillito  – Ring 0800 300500.

13^th March 2012 – Holiday Code AN727 – 7 nights all inclusive at the Coastline Hotel in Malta from £799 – New Jazz and Swing Holiday featuring Chris Pearce’s Frenchmen’s Street Jazz Band.    Chris leads on clarinet and saxes and he has brought together star musicians from the former Antique Six to play fresh and lively jazz that swings and entertains in the best jazz traditions.   Hosted by John Shillito  – Ring 0800 300600

25^th April 2012 – Holiday Code AN389 - Jazz and blues in the Deep South.   A unique chance to visit the music capitals of America.   This exciting 13 night tour, from Nashville to New Orleans, has been created to give you a real flavour of the American Deep South and ,especially, its musical heritage.   Visit Elvis’ birthplace in Tupelo and his home at Graceland, explore Nashville, New Orleans and Memphis, and join a jazz-themed dinner cruise on a Mississippi River paddle steamer. This holiday coincides with the ‘Jazz and Heritage’ festival in New Orleans which you may choose to visit.   Jazz trumpeter and enthusiast John Shillito will host this holiday - Ring 0800 414383.

12^th May 2012 – Holiday Code AN 397 – 5 nights half board at the Palace Hotel Torquay – Live jazz from four different bands, each with its own character and individual brand of jazz – John Shillito’s Select 6, Dart Valley Stompers, Sunset Café Stompers and the wonderful all ladies band Hotsy Totsy.   There are also 2 included excursions.   Hosted by John Shillito - Ring 0800 414441.

24^th September 2012 - 4 nights half board at the Queens Hotel, Bournemouth.   Sparkling live jazz with a different band each night.   Come and enjoy Pete Lay’s Gambit Jazzmen, Cuff Billett's New Europa Jazz Band, The French Quarter All Stars and John Maddocks’ Jazzmen.   Another great SAGA UK jazz package.    Hosted by John Shillito.

19^th October 2012 – Holiday Code AN390 - Jazz River Cruise – The Duoro – Portugal – 7 nights full board cruising with John Shillito’s Riverboat Ramblers – a superb quartet with John on trumpet, John Wurr – clarinet and saxes, Simon Banks – piano and Dave Moorwood on guitar and banjo.   A great musical party on a beautiful river.   Hosted by John Shillito -  Ring 0800 300400.

3^rd November 2012.   Repeating (again!) our popular 6 nights full board Jazz River Cruise on the Seine in France onboard MV Anacoluthe.   It’s like a 6 night floating house party with Steve Graham’s Jazz & Ragtime Quartet.   Steve Graham plays the trumpet, John Wurr – clarinet and saxes, Tom “Spats” Langham – banjo, guitar and vocals, and “Professor” Mike Denham – piano.   There are also interesting excursions along the way and an illuminated “Under the bridges of Paris” by night cruise.   Hosted by John Shillito.

This is not an official SAGA     advertisement. For further details ring the SAGA sales teams.

www.saga.co.uk/holidays

I guarantee you a warm and friendly welcome on all our SAGA JAZZ HOLIDAYS - and the chance to hear some great live performances from our featured jazz bands.   You will meet a lot of sociable and fun people with interests like your own - and I know that you will enjoy a great holiday.   Phone calls to SAGA are free - and, for details of all holidays, visit the website www.saga.co.uk.  

We're also repeating our own successful great value weekend jazz break down here in the West Country on Exmoor!

More info? Make a booking 

Please call me:- 07977 577 321 or e-mail me

ENTERTAINING, TRUMPET LED JAZZ WITH A BAND TO ENHANCE ANY OCCASION