[Dixielandjazz] John Petters Bio (long)

[john petters]

Born London 1953
Collected 78s from a very early age, heard Louis, Basin St Blues (All Stars)
and had Bunk's Saints. Uncle Mick was a drummer. Heard Krupa.
Re discovered jazz at the age of 15 after watching Crosby movie Rhythm on
the River with Wingy Manone. Took up drums. Had romantic and wrong notion
that it was better to teach my self rather than learn the instrument
correctly. Had to undo a lot of bad habits when humility arrived. Gained
experience at local jam sessions in Bishops Stortford, Herts organised by
Bill Cornell. Keith Donald, bass did likewise.

First band at Harlow Technical College in 1973. First gigs as bandleader in
1976 with Bill Brunskill on trumpet. Met Ken Sims and Dave Bailey a
formidable cornet/clarinet line-up, played as the New Dixie Syncopators. Met
Ragtime pianists John Gill & Ronn Weatherburn, did duo gigs around London
clubs. Took band to Guernsey in 77. Recorded first album Red Hot Jazz in 77.
circa 1979 Joined Ken Sims Dixie Kings and played residency at 100 Club in
Oxford St.
1983 formed John Petters Swing Band playing Goodman / Krupa style. Recorded
album Stealin' Apples and broadcast for Essex Radio. Played with Wild Bill
Davison for the first time.
Started the Square Jazz Club in Harlow. Played with many guests inc. Slim
Gaillard, Yank Lawson, Kenny Davern (session recorded and broadcast by Essex
Radio and issued on CDs Live & Swinging & Makin' Whoopee), Al Casey plus a
host of Brits inc Ken Colyer(sessions recorded and issued as Too Busy and
New Orleans Revisited)
Recorded Playin' For Kicks with Davern & Martin Litton in 85 and October
Song with Al Casey, Wally Fawkes and Humphrey Lyttelton. Published article
on Jazz Drumming in Jazz Journal
1986 Commissioned to record Mixed Salad by George Buck of Jazzology records
with Wally Fawkes Ben Cohen, Martin Litton etc. Got very good review in
Mississippi Rag.
Recorded Makin' Whoopee with Yank Lawson.
First theatre show - Queens of the Blues with Beryl Bryden. Fist of regular
residencies at the Casa Bar in Zurich.
Recorded with Wild Bill Davison.

1987 Played Cork Jazz Fest, London Marathon for BBC TV, City of London
Festival, Royal Festival Hall etc. Recorded Sensation with Art Hodes and
Trevor Whiting.
1988 Cork with Wild Bill and Art Hodes, Recorded Together Again CD. Also
Played Cork with George Chisholm.
1989 Organised 15 day tour of UK theatres with Legends of American Dixieland
with Davison & Hodes. Live recordings issued by Jazzology on CD Coalition
believed to be Wild Bill's final recordings.
Recorded Swingin' Down Memory Lane with Geo Chisholm and Maxine Daniels.
Toured 1989 - 91 all over the UK.
Recorded Legends of British Trad with Alan Elsdon, Dick Charlesworth,
Campbell Burnap, Neville Dicke and Tim Phillips. Toured all over UK with
that show.
1992 Recorded This Joint is Jumpin' to Mark Fats Waller's 50th anniversary
in 93  with Dickie, Cuff Billett, Goff Dubber and Micky Ashman. Toured with
package until 1994.
1994 recorded Walkin' With The King Spirituals CD with Sims and Bailey
1995 Played first spirituals concert in St Peter's Church Wisbech with Lady
Linda and Tuba Fats from New Orleans guesting.
1993 Recorded Boogie Woogie & All That Jazz  with Dickie & Ashman. The late
Duncan Swift and Tim Phillips replaced Dickie and Ashman in both shows.
1995 Recorded Boogie Woogie & All That Jazz ll with Swift & Phillips.
Organised first weekend jazz festival at Mundesley Holiday Centre in
Norfolk.
Commissioned to revive Blackpool Jazz Festival for Pontins. Sold out. 1997
organised Pakefield Jazz Festival and others for Pontins.
1997 toured Drum Crazy in theatres.Recorded Blame it on the Blues with
Bechet Centenary Band.
1998 recorded Its all Right with Me with Nick Dawson and Keith Donald and
S'Wonderful to go with Gershwin touring show. Played all over UK.
1998 started jazz festivals at Bracklesham Bay.
Also recorded Hoagy - The Old Music Master and toured with package to
celebrate the Carmichael Centenary. Recorded Very Live at Pakefield with
Sammy Rimington
2000 sold out the Grand Ocean Hotel in Brighton with first big jazz festival
promotion. Recorded Eye to Eye CD with Dave Bailey & Annie Hawkins.
Scarborough Traditional Jazz'n'Swing Forum sold out.
 2001 promoted Blackpool Festival. Toured with Way Down Yonder in New
Orleans with Sammy Rimington.
Recorded Stompin' at the Savoy Goodman tribute CD withy Trevor Whiting &
Nick Dawson, Havin' Fun with Pete Allen.
2002 Recorded Keepin' Out of Mischief with Cuff Billett, Whiting, Dawson
Donald and Andy Kuc.
First William Shakespeare Jazz Festival at Stratford sold out.
Commissioned Martin Litton to write arrangements for Bing - The Road to
Rhythm & Romance for the Crosby Centenary show. 2003 CD of the above just
released. In addition play regularly with Walkin' With the King in Churches
all over the UK, Riverboat Shuffles, Festival and private gigs.
Getting ready for Louis Armstrong Festival at Bracklesham Bay in September
and 2nd William Shakespeare Jazz Festival in November. Both selling very
well.
I live in the Lincolnshire Fens with wife Tessa (former bass player with the
band) sons David 19 (learning trumpet and has hijacked my Louis CDs) and
Andrew 10 who has just taken up alto saxophone.
Influences:- Baby Dodds, Tony Sbarbaro, Zutty Singleton, Krupa, Big Sid
Catlett, Chick Webb Jo Jones.etc
I listen constantly to good American Jazz ( I hear littele from elsewhere
thats holds my interest) from the classic era. I dislike BeBop and other
forms of modern jazz (except Brubeck) and hear the music hot whether its New
Orleans, Dixieland or Swing. I also enjoy the American songbook when sung by
jazz vocalists, favorites including Louis, Bing Lee Wiley, Mildred Bailey,
Hoagy, Billie etc.

Relaxation - Amateur Radio since 1969 with the call sign G3YPZ. I get on the
air most days with home made equipment as well as some vintage tube gear.

John Petters
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ
www.traditional-jazz.com