I first discovered jazz when, in my early 'teens, I heard, on a wind-up gramophone, recordings of some of the great musicians of the golden age of jazz and swing. WOW! I was immediately bitten by the bug! I just couldn’t get enough of it, and, not content with just listening, I wanted to play it too! Although it was the raw excitement of Sidney Bechet's soprano sax playing that had first stopped me in my tracks, I soon found myself marvelling at the music of the great early jazz trumpeters like Louis Armstrong, Henry "Red" Allen and Jabbo Smith - also later recordings of Bunk Johnson and, particularly, "Kid" Howard. 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 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 formed 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 Dad 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, over fifty 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 formed a successful band and also toured the UK and Europe with some of the popular jazz bands of the period. During 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. When in London I also played alongside many other American jazz musicians and blues performers.
In 1970, when Ken Colyer gave up band leading, due to ill health, the other members of the band continued under the leadership of the senior member, banjoist John Bastable, as JOHN BASTABLE'S CHOSEN SIX, I was honoured to be asked to replace Ken in the line up and the band went on to tour Europe many times and to make two extremely successful albums.
On my visits to New Orleans, I've had the pleasure of playing with bands at the famous PRESERVATION HALL, notably those led by PERCY HUMPHREY and KID THOMAS VALENTINE. I've 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 1972 I moved to the south-west to settle in Devon, since when, I’ve been a busy performer at “traditional” jazz venues and at other events in the region and beyond, working continuously, either with my own bands or making freelance guest appearances. 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 10 years.
Although the influences on my playing are fairly obvious, over the years I’ve developed my own recognisable style and become well known as 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 - the "cradle" of jazz.
I’ve learned a lot about being professional, playing jazz and entertaining all kinds of audiences over the years, but I just love playing and 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 50 years and to communicate with my audiences - listeners and dancers. Please come and hear me when you're down in Devon - or watch out for gigs near you. I'm happy to travel widely to play and sing - with any band - but, particularly with the groups I front today - the SELECT FOUR and SELECT SIX.
They're both great bands and I'd like you to meet them.....
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Please call me:- +44 1803 606776
or e-mail info@johnshillito.co.uk