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| Peter King (up to the 1980s)... |
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 Peter King, (not to be confused with the Pete King who was Ronnie Scott's jazz club partner), first appeared on the London jazz scene at Ronnie Scott's on it's opening night in 1959. Peter was just eighteen and Benny Green, writing in 1969 said had Ronnie Scott's Club died overnight and been heard of no more it could still have justified its existence by pointing to a discovery like Peter King. Similar sentiments were expressed by Dave Gelly in 1986 the finest alto saxophonist that Britain has ever produced, and one of the finest in the world today. continued top right... |
continued from bottom left... King had technical skills and a complete command of the bebop language and was the only British alto sax player with the urgency of Charlie Parker. Parker's music had a major impact on him, he had thought about playing piano or trumpet, but when he heard Parker he was fascinated and he chose to play the alto sax. He was hailed as a 'new star' after his appearance at the opening night of Ronnie Scott's but somehow failed to progress in the jazz world of the time. He had spells with Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Colin Purbrook and Philly Joe Jones and Tony Kinsey in the 1960s and was more or less a permanent member of Tubby Hayes' big band as well as working in the theatre. By his own admission he was becoming bored with jazz and began to get involved with classical music. He admits he had a barren period in the 1960s and early 1970s when, for extramusical things got out of hand and he began to lose touch with his jazz basics. He admits to wasted years but by the 1970s he was playing bebop again with the Bebop Preservation Society with Bill Le Sage and Hank Shaw. King always had an interest in classical music which he feels may have held him back in the jazz world. Although he was voted New Star in the Melody Maker readers poll in 1961 he spent many years adding his considerable talent to other peoples bands. Lack of recognition at home has not prevented wide appreciation in the US and over the years has worked with such legends as Bud Powell, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Milt Jackson, Lalo Schifrin, Frank Foster's 'new' Count Basie Band and the Ray Charles Orchestra. He has also recorded with Hampton Hawes, Al Haig, Philly Joe Jones, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and many others. Peter has also worked with many great singers, such as Ernestine Anderson, Joe Williams, Anita O'Day, and made albums with Jon Hendricks and Jimmy Witherspoon. In the early 1980s Peter grasped the nettle of leading his own band. People had been urging him to form his own band for many years, but in his own words, A lot of it is my own fault - a lack of pushing, a reluctance to make decisions... the concept of being a leader is completely alien to my way of thinking... I want everybody playing what they want to play... if there is disagreement about a tune I might not play it, I'd do something else rather than have incompatability... He regards his best quartet as the one that included John Horler, Dave Green and Spike Wells. The resulting Spotlite records feature a proper working band used to playing together and all of a very high standard. Musician, writer Simon Spillett comments: Altoist Peter King's arrival in the London jazz world of the late-1950s was confirmation of the ever-improving standard of British performers. Previously men like Dankworth and Derek Humble had never come within a country mile of assimilating any of Charlie Parker's fire-breathing urgency... he had technical skills on the saxophone that were close to those of Tubby Hayes and...a complete command of the bebop language... As a featured performer, Peter King has long been a favorite of European jazz festival audiences. The record listing below covers British recordings up to 1989. |
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Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - July 1st/5th, 1960 (The criminal - Roulette/Columbia) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - 1960 (Curtain Up - Columbia) - recording details: Johnny Dankworth This was Peter King's first opportunity to be heard on LP in a small group context although the material is not exactly suited to his fiery bebop style. Also, his first instrument is alto sax - on this record he is featured exclusively on tenor... Tony Kinsey Quintet - March 7th/9th, 1963 (Decca SKL4534) Les Condon (tp), Peter King (ts), Gordon Beck (p), Kenny Napper (b), Tony Kinsey (d). How to Succeed...*/Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm*/I Believe In You*/Coffee Break*/Been A Long Day*/Ciderella Darling*/Paris Original*/Grand Old Ivy*/A Secretary Is Not A Toy*/Brotherhood Of Man*/Love From A Heart Of Gold*/The Company Way*. (*Vocalion CD - How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying/Time Gentlemen Please) Johnny Dankworth Orchestra with featured guests - July 29th/August and October, 1963 (What the Dickens! - Fontana)- recording details: Johnny Dankworth Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - April 20th/24th, 1964 (Tubb's Tours - Fontana) - recording details: Tubby Hayes Tubby Hayes Big Band - probably January 31st, 1965 (BBC TV live from the Marquee Club, London) - recording details: Tubby Hayes Al Cohn / Zoot Sims - November, 1967 (World Record Club T/STP714) Al Cohn, Zoot Sims (ts), Peter King (as,ts), Jackie Sharpe (ts/bs), Stan Tracey (p), Rick Laird (b), Jackie Dougan (d). Shoft/Haunted Jazzclub/Zoot's Tune/Cockle Row/Pete's Tune No1/Flaming June/Mr. George/Pete's Tune No2. Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - July 25th, 1969 (BBC broadcast - 200% Proof) - recording details: Tubby Hayes Tubby Hayes Big Band - Summer, 1969 (Live at Torrington) - recording details: Tubby Hayes Tubby Hayes Big Band - BBC broadcast live from Ronnie Scott's, London August 24th, 1969 (IAJRC50) - recording details: Tubby Hayes Stan Tracey Quartet - September 10th, 1969 (Free An' One - Columbia SCX6385) Peter King (as), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Bryan Spring (d). Rainbow At The Five Mile Road/Free An'one/Step An' Fetch It/The Green Kngspring Of Springgreen/Nudgy Vamp. Stan Tracey Big Band - October 8th, 1969 (The Seven Ages of Man - Columbia SCX6413) Derek Watkins, Tony Fisher, Greg Bowen, Hank Shaw (tp), Keith Christie, Chris Pyne, Mike Gibbs (tb), Peter King, Dennis Walton (as), Tony Coe (ts,cl), Alan Skidmore (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Frank Ricotti (vib,cl), Stan Tracey (p,arr,cond), Dave Green (b), Bryan Spring (d). All The World's A Stage/Overture And Beginners/Matinee Days/Enter Romeo/Principal Centre Stage/Wisdom In The Wings/Panto Panta/Kindly Leave The Stage. The Bebop Preservation Society was a group originally set up by Bill Le Sage in the 1970s to keep the old bebop music alive. By this time modern jazz had moved on and bebop was becoming a forgotten sound. The group used to play at the Bull's Head (London), on and off during the 1970s and early 1980s and were recorded on a number of occasions... The Bebop Peservation Society - May 24th/25th, 1971 (Dawn DNLS3027) Hank Shaw (tp), Peter King (as), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Spike Heatley (b), Brian Spring (d). (1-PK and HS out, Le Sage plays vibes). Donna Lee/High Score/Ah-leu-cha/Warpaint/Eronel/Godchild/Whats New-1/One Bass Hit/Perhaps. Be-Bop Preservation Society - March 17th, 1972 (BBC TV "Late Night Line-Up" Broadcast) Tubby Hayes (ts), Hank Shaw (tp), Peter King (as), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Spike Heatley (b), Bryan Spring (d). Eronel/Godchild/Bamboozled. Red Rodney with the Bebop Peservation Society - January 20th/21st, 1975 (Spotlite SPJLP7) Hank Shaw, Red Rodney (tp), Peter King (as), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Spike Heatley (b), Martin Drew (d). Blue'n Boogie/Seven Dials/If You Could See Me Now (HS out)/Merry-go-round/March Of Ides/Sid's Delight/ Esmereldas/Tenderley (HS, PK out). The Bebop Peservation Society - May 19th, 1975 (Spotlite 500 - Pied Piper of Hamelin Suite) Hank Shaw (tp), Peter King (as), Bill Le Sage (p,el-p), Spike Heatley (b), Martin Drew (d). Hamelin/Council Cakewalk/Rats/Pied Piper/Mayor's Got The Blues/Little Boy Lost/Town Band Birthday. Stan Tracey Octet - September 20th, 1976 live at "Shaw Theatre" (Steam) Harry Beckett (tp,flhrn), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Art Themen (sop,ts), Peter King (as), Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d). Cuddly/Agitato Sympatico/Fraggie Bar Waltz/Timespring/Concerto For An Out Of Tune Piano. (All of these titles remain unissued). Stan Tracey Octet - November 29th, 1976 live at "100 Club" (Steam SJ103) Harry Beckett (tp,flhrn), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Art Themen (sop,ts), Peter King (as), Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d), Donald Houston (narr). Cuddly/Agitato Sympatico/Fraggie Bar Waltz/Timespring. (Four other titles recorded remain unissued: A Jam/Spectrum No 1/Spectrum No 2/Spectrum No 3). It was not until 1977 that King recorded a title under his own name and the first LP under his own name was not recorded until 1982, 23 years after his debut at Ronnie Scott's. Through the 1980s he produced a number of superb quartet/quintet albums... Peter King Quartet - August 12th, 1977 (Spotlite SPLP17) Peter King (as), John Taylor (p), Ron Matthewson (b), Mickey Roker (d). Konigswenz. (Peter King appears on only one track of this LP, the rest of it is by Jon Eardley) In May 1982 Peter king was working in a quartet with the pianist Al Haig in a concert celebrating the bebop age. The concert was taped, and so delighted was Haig with the music that the record was subsequently issued by Spotlight. Haig died six months after the record was made, it was actually his last recording and considered by many to be his best... Al Haig / Peter King / Art Themen Quintet - May 27th, 1982 (Bebop Live - University College School, London - Spotlite SPJLP23) Peter King (as), Art Themen (ts,ss) Al Haig (p), Kenny Baldock (b), Allan Ganley (d). Bag's Groove*/Laura*/Loverman*/Straight No Chaser*/Night In Tunisia*/Birks Works*/Theme*/Star Eyes#/Ornithology#/(# other titles not known). (*Spotlite CD Bebop Live - University College School, London) (#Spotlite CD Bebop Live2 - University College School, London) Peter King Quintet - June 23rd, 1982 (New Beginning - Spotlite SPJ520) Dick Pearce (tp,flhrn), Peter King (as), John Horler (p), Dave Green (b), Spike Wells (d). Blues for S.J./Fourth Emergence/Before The Dawn (DP out)/Dolphin Dance/Gingerbread Boy. Peter King Quartet - July 4th, 1982 (New Beginning - Spotlite SPJ520) Peter King (as), Pat Smythe (p), Ron Matthewson (b), Spike Wells (d). Dream Dancing/Three Blonde Mice/Confirmation. Peter King / John Horler - July 15th, 1982 (New Beginning - Spotlite SPJ520) Peter King (as), John Horler (p). New Beginning. Peter King Quartet - January 29th, 1983 (East 34th Street - Spotlite SPJ524) Peter King (as), John Horler (p), Dave Green (b), Spike Wells (d). Reverse Thrust*/East 34th Street*/3/4 Peace*/Evan's Song*/Solitaire*/Warm Breeze*. (*Spotlite CD - East 34th Street) Stan Tracey Octet - July 9th, 1983 - (Now - Steam SJ110) Harry Beckett (tp), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Peter King (as), Art Themen (sop,ts), Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d). Spectrum No. 2. Peter King Quartet - March 4th, 1984, recorded in Paris (Hi fly - Spotlite SPJ527) Peter King (as), Pete Jacobsen (p), Ricardo del Fra (b), Phillipe Briand (d), cga added on (1). Blues For S.J.*/Hi fly (1)*/Star Eyes*/Old Folks*/Seven Steps To Heaven*. (*Spotlite CD - Hi fly) Peter King Quintet - May 26th, 1984 (90% of one per cent - Spotlite SPJ529) Henry Lowther (tp), Peter King (as), John Horler (p), Dave Green (b), Spike Wells (d). Old Folks (HL out)/3/4 Peace/Eye Of The Hurricane/Gingerbread Boy. Stan Tracey Big Band - January 5th and 6th, 1987 - (Genesis - Steam SJ114) John Barclay, Steve Sidwell, Henry Lowther, Guy Barker (tp), Chris Pyne, Malcolm Griffiths (or Pete Smith#), Geoff Perkins (tb), Peter King, Jamie Talbot (as), Art Themen (ts), Tony Coe (ts,cl), Phil Todd (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d). The Beginning*/The Light*/The Firmament (p,b,d only)*/The Gathering*/The Sun Moon And Stars*/Feather, Fin And Limb*#/The Sixth Day*#. (*Trio Records CD - Genesis) The titles above form part of this CD. Recorded live at the Bull's Head Inn in Barnes, SW London. The CD is available only from the Bull's Head... Peter King/Dick Morrissey/Martin Taylor - 1987 (Live At The Bull - Bull's Head Music BHM001) Peter King (as), Dick Morrissey (ts), Tony Lee (p), Ian Scott-Taylor (b), Terry Jenkins (d). Bird Feathers*. Tony Crombie (d) replaces Terry Jenkins. They Can't Take That Away From Me*. Peter King (as), Ian Scott-Taylor (b), Terry Jenkins (d). You've Changed*. (*Bulll's Head Music CD - Live at the Bull) Peter King Quartet - late 1980s (Focus - KPM Music KPM 1307) Peter King (as), John Horler (p), Dave Green (b), Spike Wells (d). For Starters/East 34th Street/Bill's Peace/New Chapter/One By One/Focus. Peter King Quartet / Sextet - April 20th and 30th, 1988 (Brother Bernard - Miles Music MM076) Peter King (as), John Horler (p), Dave Green (b), Tony Levin (d). But Beautiful*/Dalin*/Overjoyed*. add Guy Barker (tp) and Alan Skidmore (ts). Brother Bernard*/Chatelet*/Playing In the Yard*. (*Miles Music CD - Brother Bernard) Tony Crombie and friends - January 5th and 19th, 1989 (Tony Crombie and friends - Renaissance REN001) Peter King (as), John Horler (p), Kenny Baldock (b), Tony Crombie (d), Johnny van Derrick (vln), Tony Dakis (accord). Tango '89/Fallen Bird (TC,TD out). Peter King (as), Tony Crombie (p), Kenny Baldock (b). Sophisticated Lady. Guy Barker, John Barclay (tp), Pete Beachill (tb), Peter King (as), Tony Coe (ts), Dave Bishop (bs), Gordon Beck (el-p), Roy Babbington (b-g), Barry Morgan (d), Simon Morton (perc). 12 Note Samba/Raising The Temperature. Peter King has continued to record from 1990 through to the present day, a period currently outside the scope of this website. Details of these later recordings will probably be added sometime in the future... |
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