Introducing
John
Shillito
I
first discovered jazz in my early teens when I heard recordings of two
of the great musicians of the golden age of jazz - Sidney Bechet and Jelly Roll
Morton - on a wind-up gramophone played by a cousin. I was
immediately bitten by the jazz bug! The raw excitement of the
soprano sax playing of Bechet first stopped me in my tracks; but I was soon
marvelling at the music of great early trumpeters like Louis Armstrong and Red
Allen. I next discovered later recordings from the New Orleans
revival period and the playing of Bunk Johnson and Kid Howard of the George
Lewis band particularly captivated me. I just could not get
enough of the stuff! And I was not content with just listening - I
wanted to play it too!
I was lucky enough to be able to borrow an old cornet from an uncle who had played in brass bands around my home town of Sheffield.
I got started learning the scales he showed me and playing along with the 78 rpm
records that I had started collecting. I found out where jazz could
be heard live in and around Sheffield and although I was still well "under age" I became
a regular visitor to the pubs and other venues where it was being played.
Some bands even let me sit in! They were extremely encouraging and -
I must say - very tolerant! At the jazz haunts I met up with other
aspiring young musicians. Most were students like me and I organised
my first jazz band with them. Jazz seemed to be taking over my life
so my father tried to motivate me to study for my GCE O Level exams by promising
to buy me a new trumpet as a reward if I passed in all subjects. I
did: and he was as good as his word! That was well over fifty five
years ago. After A Levels I got a University place in London (LSE)
and lived there as a student and musician for the next 15 years.
I was able to form a band of my own and we had some success around the
thriving jazz clubs of the London and Home Counties area.
I also toured the UK and Europe with other popular jazz bands of the
period. For some of that time my own band was resident second band
at the KEN COLYER CLUB at the STUDIO 51 near Leicester Square.
We played on Wednesday nights and when Ken was out of town or at other venues.
Ken was recognised as the leader and inspiration of the New Orleans movement in
the UK. During my early days in London Ken was a good mentor and
friend and I am grateful for the help he gave me. It was at the
Studio 51 that I got my first opportunity to play with the great GEORGE LEWIS
BAND from New Orleans when they first came to the UK - at a special reception
held for them. The great legends from New Orleans came on stage and
replaced the members of my own band one by one.
There was I - playing in the George Lewis Band - what an amazing thrill!
We were heavily influenced by the music of George Lewis at the time - and
it still gives me special thrill - but I am very pleased to have since had the
opportunity to play alongside other American jazz and blues musicians who have
helped to broaden my experience and teach me a lot.
In 1970 Ken Colyer gave up leading a band on the road due to ill health.
The other musicians of his Jazzmen continued under the leadership of banjoist
John Bastable who was the senior member and the band became JOHN BASTABLE'S
CHOSEN SIX. I was incredibly honoured to be asked to replace Ken in
the line up. We had some great
times and went on to tour Europe frequently and to make two extremely successful
albums.
I have made several visits to New Orleans and I feel I have absorbed
something of the essence of the place and the music. It has also
been my good fortune to meet and play with some historic musical personalities.
Playing with bands at the famous PRESERVATION HALL - notably those led by
PERCY HUMPHREY and KID THOMAS VALENTINE has been a wonderful experience.
I also played at the world famous New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with my
own MARDI GRAS JAZZ and with the NEW ORLEANS RAG PICKERS of TOKYO when their
trumpet man was unavailable. We could not communicate very well
verbally - but our mutual love of New Orleans music gave us a truly
international language!
For reasons not connected with music in 1973 I moved away from London to
settle in Devon; but it was my good fortune to be able to continue my career in
jazz with some outstanding musicians down in the South West. I first
joined the fabled Soloheim Mungaash Jazz Band and then worked with my own bands
as well as making freelance guest appearances at traditional jazz venues and at
other events in the region and beyond. I
am now celebrating over 55 years of leading bands of my own. (Time
flies if you enjoy yourself - they say!) I have certainly had
enjoyable times with my bands over the years - MARDI GRAS JAZZ - THE RHYTHM ACES
and the DIXIE RAMBLERS - and I continue to do so with my SELECT FOUR and SELECT
SIX. I also play the trumpet lead in the ROGER MARK'S ARMADA JAZZ
BAND and have toured, broadcast and recorded extensively with him over 12 years.
Although the influences on my playing are fairly obviously from New
Orleans, over my career I think that I have developed my own recognisable style.
People also know that I put on a good show wherever I appear. This
has included many major festivals in the UK and throughout EUROPE. I
have also played and sung in RUSSIA and SOUTH AFRICA as well as in NEW ORLEANS, the place where it all began. I think I have learned a lot about
being professional too - playing jazz and entertaining all kinds of audiences
over the years - but - the bottom line is - I just love playing.
I still have the same enthusiasm for my music that I had when I first
started up at school in Sheffield- and I reckon I am blowing stronger than ever!
I love to share the enjoyment and pleasure jazz has brought me for over
55 years and to communicate with audiences (listeners and dancers) and I have
never been happier than playing with the groups I front today - the SELECT FOUR
and SELECT
SIX.
They really are two first rate bands -
super musicians and great guys and friends!
You can hear that our music comes out of New Orleans - but we play it our
way - and that gives us a great deal of satisfaction pleasure and pride.
You must - please - come and hear us when you visit Devon - and -
please - watch out for us at gigs near you. I am very happy to
travel widely to play and sing - with any band - but I do particularly want you
to hear and enjoy the SELECT FOUR and
SELECT
SIX.
If you like bands that enjoy
playing good entertaining jazz - and looking as though they enjoy it - you will
find an evening with us is well spent.
More
info? Make a booking
Please
call me:-info@johnshillito.co.uk
And here's something else I'm having fun
doing these days!
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SAGA JAZZ
HOLIDAYS
. . . your jazz hosts
John Shillito &
Jenny Spera
Come and join us to enjoy relaxing holidays in interesting locations with the
added pleasure of entertaining and informative programmes of jazz - including
live performances from some of the best bands around.
Jenny is my partner and since May 2008 it has been our pleasure to be
Jazz Hosts on SAGA JAZZ HOLIDAYS. We
have made many good new friends on these events and we look forward to welcoming
you. We'll work hard to ensure that you have an enjoyable time
and get the most out of the jazz events of your holiday.
Jenny is a charming and friendly hostess who takes a caring interest in
people: and - like me - she is a keen jazz enthusiast. We are really
enjoying sharing our music on SAGA JAZZ HOLIDAYS and
there are some super bands lined up for you in 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 - why not give it a try and come
along to join us to relax and have a great holiday sharing in the jazz and fun
at one of these super events?
SAGA have planned another very attractive programme
of jazz holidays for 2010 - so book as soon as you
can! We look forward to seeing you - good times are guaranteed!.
OUR
RECOMMENDED SAGA JAZZ HOLIDAYS FOR 2010
APRIL 21st
HOLLAND.
JAZZ CRUISE aboard
the m.v. REX RHENI
for 5 nights - featuring
COLIN KINGWELL'S JAZZ
BANDITS.
(Colin's
band has been popular with New Orleans jazz fans for decades - it will be a
pleasure to welcome them aboard. We had a fabulous week on the Rhine
and Mosel on this ship. It was a wonderful time and we can highly
recommend it!)
Cruise code: A180P. To book call free on
0800 015 6880.
JULY 18th
ENGLAND.
HORWOOD, nr MILTON KEYNES, BUCKS.
THE HORWOOD
HOUSE CONFERENCE CENTRE & HOTEL, for 5 nights
- featuring THE
SUSSEX JAZZ KINGS and
BARRY PALSER'S NEW ORLEANS
FEETWARMERS. (These
are 2 fine bands that we are looking forward to working with at a venue that is
new to us - but which comes highly recommended by SAGA. Accessibly
in the middle of the UK - easy to get to - country house luxury - jazzy summer
evenings in convivial company - just the place for a summer break to put rhythm
in your feet, a song in your heart and a smile on your face.) Holiday
code AN748. To book call free on 0800 414 444
AUGUST 22nd
ENGLAND.
BUXTON, THE PALACE HOTEL for
5 nights - featuring THE
SAVANNAH JAZZ BAND and
NEW ORLEANS HEAT.
(We have enjoyed working on several holidays with
these 2 bands and they are always a hit. Everybody had a great time
when we were all together on the Rhine / Mosel cruise in August. New
Orleans Jazz and the Derbyshire Peak District in August
2010 is an irresistible combination.)
Holiday
code AN753. To book call free on 0800 414 444.
OCTOBER
16th
FRANCE.
JAZZ CRUISE ON THE RIVERs SEINE and OISE aboard
the m.v. ANACOLUTHE
for 6 nights - featuring
STEVE GRAHAM'S JAZZ
and RAGTIME QUARTET.
(This is another wonderful cruise that we can highly recommend.
Paris and the Seine, gourmet food and wine, tasteful, swinging jazz - I
have done it 3 times and it gets better and better!)
Cruise code
AN417. To book, call free on 0800 015 6880.
We
guarantee you a warm and friendly welcome 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 we 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.
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