Concert Details
| Concert: | Concert with The John Petters Jazz Band |
| Date: | Saturday 18 June |
| Time: | 8:00pm |
| Tickets: | £16 |
| U18 Tickets: | £8 |
| Lovers of traditional jazz will be delighted to welcome John Petters and his wonderful band to Dillington House. A doyen of traditional jazz in the UK, John will offer a popular programme of standards that will enthral and entertain. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Pre-booked suppers available at £22 |
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Artiste Information
John Petters was born in Stratford, East London, on 13th April 1953. He was fascinated with music from a very early age and collected 78rpm records, which gave him a wide exposure to music, in particular Jazz. At the age of 13 he became interested in amateur radio and gained his transmitting licence in 1969 with the callsign G3YPZ. He has written for several amateur radio magazines, including Practical Wireless and Radio Communication.
In 1971 he took up drums, teaching himself by playing along with classic Jazz & Swing records. Together with bassist Keith Donald, John gained his first playing experience in local jam sessions organised by drummer Bill Cornell in Bishops Stortford, Herts. He formed his first band while at college in Harlow, Essex.
He started gigging in 1976 and met cornetist Ken Sims and clarinettist Dave Bailey. He formed "The New Dixie Syncopators". In November 1977 he recorded his first album, "Red Hot Jazz" for SRT records. The band featured Ken Sims, Ragtime pianist, John Gill, and a young female bass player, Tessa Mellerick, who he married in 1980.
John joined "Ken Sim's Dixie Kings" in 1979 and played a long residency at London's famous "100 Club". In 1983 he formed "John Petters' Swing Band" with Julian Stringle and Peter Neighbour, clarinets, John Boumphrey, piano, Derek Winter, vibes, and Tessa Petters, bass. Eddie Blackwell at Essex Radio gave the band a broadcast from which the album "Stealin' Apples" was released. The band played regularly at London's "Royal Festival Hall" and was reviewed in the "London Financial Times".
In 1985 John Petters started the "Square Jazz Club" in Harlow, attracting a wide range of guest musicians from the UK and USA. Those who played include Slim Gaillard, Al Casey, Wild Bill Davison, Art Hodes, Yank Lawson and Kenny Davern from the USA. Georgie Fame,George Chisholm OBE,Maxine Daniels, KenColyer, Cy Laurie, Monty Sunshine, Humphrey Lyttelton and Terry Lightfoot from the UK.
1985 was the beginning of his serious recording career, recording with Kenny Davern, Humphrey Lyttelton, Wally Fawkes and Al Casey.
He wrote a three part series on the History of Jazz Drumming, from New Orleans to Be-Bop for the world famous "Jazz Journal International". In 1986 he was commissioned by George H Buck of "Jazzology Records", New Orleans, to record the album "Mixed Salad", which was produced by veteran British Jazz producer James Asman. He recorded the album "Makin' Whoopee" with Yank Lawson. He then started a long association with the "Casa Bar Jazz Spot", Zurich. He also played Paris Jazz venues, "Caveau de la Huchette" & "The Slow Club".
In 1987 John Petters designed his first Jazz Theatre show with the valuable help and advice of agent and promoter Martin K Ross, "Queens of the Blues", which marked the 50th Anniversary of the death of Bessie Smith. The show featured Beryl Bryden, Rusty Taylor and Helen Gould with his six piece band. The show played theatres all over the UK and such major festivals as Cork and Northsea. He met and recorded with Chicago piano legend Art Hodes.
In 1988, John was asked to put a band together for the "Cork Festival" by Wild Bill Davison. He had the idea of teaming Bill and the great Blues pianist Art Hodes. The band played the Cork Opera house to a capacity audience.
The "John Petters Dixie Marching Band" appeared for ten days at the "City of London Festival", then joined the Jazz Cruise to the Mediterranean on board the P&O Canberra, appearing alongside Georgie Fame.
In May 1989 "The Legends of American Dixieland” toured 15 dates back to back in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, many of which were digitally recorded. Sadly the tour proved to be the last visit to these shores by both these great artistes - Wild Bill died inNovember 1989 and Art died a few years after.
In 1989 John started work on a show to mark George Chisholm's 75th birthday. Maxine Daniels was the featured vocalist and "Swinging Down Memory Lane" toured until 1992 when Chis was forced to retire due to ill health. The same year John appeared on a TVS chat show with George Melly.
The "John Petters' Roarin' 20s Jazz Band" was seen by millions on BBC TV providing the music for the London Marathon.
In 1991 the "Legends of British Trad" was premiered at London's "Queen Elizabeth Hall" and toured until 1994. The handpicked band featured Alan Elsdon : trumpet, Dick Charlesworth : clarinet, Campbell Burnap : trombone, Neville Dickie : piano and Tim Phillips : bass.
Along with bandleaders Chez Chesterman and Max Collie, the National Traditional Jazz Mailing List was formed to keep in touch with the audience and to help keep the music live.
1993 marked the 50th anniversary of Fats Waller's untimely death and "This Joint Is Jumpin" toured to sell-out theatres throughout the next two years, (review). The band, known as "John Petters & his Rhythm" featured Neville Dickie, piano, Cuff Billet, trumpet, Goff Dubber, reeds, and Mickey Ashman, bass.
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