I
first discovered jazz when, in my early 'teens, I heard recordings of some of
the great musicians of the golden age of jazz, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet
and Jelly Roll Morton, on a wind-up gramophone, played by a cousin of mine.
I was immediately bitten by the jazz bug! Although it was the
raw excitement of Sidney Bechet's soprano sax playing that had first stopped me
in my tracks, I was soon marvelling at the music of great early trumpeters like
Louis Armstrong, Henry "Red" Allen and Jabbo Smith and it wasn’t
long before I discovered, on later recordings from the “New Orleans
revival”, Bunk Johnson, and, particularly, "Kid" Howard of the
George Lewis band. I just couldn’t get enough of the stuff,
and, 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 of mine
who’d played in brass bands around my home town of Sheffield and I got started
learning the scales he showed me – and playing along with the 78 rpm records
I’d begun avidly collecting. I found out where jazz could be heard
“live” in and around Sheffield and, although "under age" at the
time, I became a regular visitor to the pubs, clubs and halls where it was being
played. Some bands even let me “sit in” – they were extremely
kind, encouraging and very tolerant! At the jazz haunts I met up
with other aspiring young musicians, many of them students, and it wasn’t long
before I organised my first jazz band. Jazz soon began to take over much of
my life and my parents feared I was neglecting my school work. My
father tried to motivate me to study by promising to buy me a new trumpet as a
reward if I passed all my GCE “O” levels. I did – and he was
as good as his word! That was, incredibly, well over fifty five
years ago. A year or two later I got a University place in London
(LSE) and moved to be based there, as a 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 at the STUDIO
51, THE KEN COLYER CLUB,
near Leicester Square, as second band when Ken was out of town or at other
venues. It was there that I got my first opportunity to play with
the great GEORGE
LEWIS BAND
from New Orleans, when they first came to the UK.
That was at the reception held for them at the ’51, where George’s
musicians replaced the members of my own band, one by one.
What a thrill! We were
heavily influenced by George Lewis’s music at the time, but I’m pleased to
have since had the opportunity to play alongside other American jazz and blues
musicians, who broadened my experience and taught me a lot.
Several
years later, in 1970, Ken Colyer gave up leading a band on the road, due to ill
health, but the other musicians of his “Jazzmen” continued under the
leadership of the senior member, banjoist John Bastable.
The band became JOHN
BASTABLE'S CHOSEN SIX and
I was 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’ve
made several visits to New Orleans to soak up the essence of the place and the
music and I’ve had the good fortune to meet and play with some historic
musical personalities. I've
had the privilege of playing with bands at the famous PRESERVATION
HALL,
notably those led by PERCY HUMPHREY
and KID THOMAS VALENTINE.
I've also played at the world famous New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with
my own MARDI GRAS JAZZ
and THE NEW
ORLEANS RAG PICKERS of
Tokyo,
Japan.
In
the 1970’s, for reasons not connected with music, I decided to move away from
London to settle in Devon. It
was my good fortune to be able to continue my career in jazz with some
outstanding musicians down here and I worked, either with my own bands, or
making freelance guest appearances, at “traditional” jazz venues and at
other events in the region and beyond.
Now, as well as celebrating over 50 years of leading bands of my own,
like MARDI GRAS JAZZ, RHYTHM ACES and DIXIE RAMBLERS, I also play
the trumpet lead in ROGER
MARKS' ARMADA JAZZ BAND,
with whom I've toured, broadcast and recorded extensively for the last 12 years.
Although
the influences on my playing are fairly obvious, over the years, I think I’ve
developed my own recognisable style and I seem to have become known as a bit of
a "showman". I've played and sung at all the major UK
festivals, throughout EUROPE, in RUSSIA and SOUTH AFRICA, as well as
in NEW ORLEANS –
where it all began.
I
think I’ve 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'm still
as enthusiastic about my music as when I first started up - and I reckon I'm
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’ve never been happier than playing with the
groups I front today - the SELECT FOUR and SELECT SIX. They really are two first
rate bands, both as musicians and as great guys and friends!
There’s no doubting where our music comes from, but we play it our way,
and it gives me a great deal of satisfaction, pleasure and pride.
Please come and hear us when you're down in Devon - or watch out for us
at gigs near you. I'm happy to travel widely to play and sing - with
any band - but, particularly with the SELECT FOUR and SELECT SIX – and if you like bands that enjoy
playing good, entertaining jazz, and look as though they enjoy it, then you’ll
find an evening with us is well spent.
More
info? Make a booking
Please
call me:- +44 1803 606776
or
e-mail
info@johnshillito.co.uk
And
here's something else I'm having fun doing these days!
Welcome to SAGA
JAZZ HOLIDAYS - your jazz hosts - John
Shillito & Jenny Spera
We
invite
you to 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's been our pleasure to be Jazz Hosts on
SAGA JAZZ HOLIDAYS. We will be
delighted to welcome you and to ensure that you have an enjoyable time and get
the most out of the jazz events of your holiday.
Jenny's a charming and friendly hostess who takes a caring interest in
people, and, like me, she's a keen jazz enthusiast. We are really
enjoying sharing our music with new friends and old on SAGA JAZZ HOLIDAYS and we’ve
got some really great bands lined up for you in a variety of super
holiday settings. There are
jazz recordings, videos and illustrated talks to enjoy; and there are many other features of interest, too, including
interesting presentations, visits and excursions associated with the 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 and share in the fun, entertainment and
relaxation at one of these super events?
2009
MONDAY
APRIL 20th
COASTLINE HOTEL, St
PAUL'S, MALTA for
7 nights, featuring NEW
ORLEANS HEAT. Holiday ref: AN 060. To
book, call FREE on 0800 056 6078.
MONDAY
JUNE
15th CHINE HOTEL,
BOURNEMOUTH for
4 nights, featuring THE
SUSSEX JAZZ KINGS and CUFF
BILLET'S NEW EUROPA JAZZ BAND.
Holiday ref: AN
267. To
book, call FREE on 0800 056 6078.
FRIDAY
AUGUST 14th
RIVER
RHINE JAZZ CRUISE aboard REX RHENI
for 7 nights, featuring THE
SAVANNAH JAZZ BAND and NEW
ORLEANS HEAT. Holiday ref: AN
154. To
book, call FREE on 0800 068 5053.
MONDAY
SEPTEMBER
21st
COASTLINE
HOTEL, St PAUL'S, MALTA for
7 nights, featuring THE
KEN COLYER LEGACY NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND.
Holiday ref: AN 060. To
book, call FREE on 0800 056 6078.
MONDAY
APRIL 20th
COASTLINE
HOTEL, St PAUL'S, MALTA for
7 nights, guest band to be arranged.
Holiday ref: AN 060. To
book, call FREE on 0800 056 6078.
We
guarantee you a warm and friendly welcome and the chance to hear some great
performances from our featured live jazz bands.
You'll meet a lot of sociable and fun people
with interests like your own - and have a great time. Phone
calls to SAGA are free, or visit the website www.saga.co.uk
