On 23rd October John Petters announced his retirement from live gigs with effect from his performance at St John’s Arts Centre, Old Harlow, on Saturday 30th October.
John explained: “The jazz scene has been decimated by Covid and there is no sign things will get better any time soon.”
“I intend to focus my attention on my radio show, jazz history, talks on jazz to U3As and any other groups. I will also be writing a column for ‘Radcom’, the journal of the Radio Society of Great Britain and other writing projects. Much as I love playing gigs, enjoying the company of my fellow musicians and meeting jazz fans, I do not like all the aggravation which goes with it. I’m weary of driving for hours and lugging my drums in and out of venues and driving home again after playing a high energy gig. I intend to spend much more time enjoying my hobby of amateur radio and other activities.”
Unquestably we will miss your live gigs John, so what better way to reminisce and depart with a flourish than by recapturing here on Jazz&Jazz a selection of numbers performed not so long ago at your mesmerising evening hosted by Tad Newton at Bedford Golf Club.
Accompanying John:
Richard Exall (Clarinet, Sax), Pete Rudeforth (Trumpet), Keith Donald (Bass), plus Ace Harlem Stride Pianist, Dave Browning.
Just for the fun of it why not visit an original Fats Waller number,
“This Joint Is Jumpin'” – jazz as it was in the thirties. Hold your breath!: https://youtu.be/LKe6yH3ZwGo
Thanks for your jazz “Petter’s Style”, John!
We really would welcome the occasional come back!
Peter M Butler, Editor Jazz&Jazz
YouTubes© Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz
