As many of you know the veteran trumpeter John Shillito died recently at the grand age of 87 with a life dedicated to jazz since the 1940s playing with many top New Orleans bands. He was a lovely man with a great talent which many of us will have heard with his last band the Riviera Ramblers as well as others. They were a star turn in our first Festival in 1989 and played many times up to and including our last in 2019.
Music lovers and others of all generations will have enjoyed a pleasant Sunday lunch time in a pub with clarinets and trumpets doing their thing. Trad and New Orleans is the great good time music of the jazz world and brings a smile to many a face. It is a poignant thought that with the passing of such players as John the music itself, which was there at the birth of the blues, is passing; but hopefully young musicians will realise this and regenerate it before the pubs and clubs fall silent.
I had the privilege of attending John’s funeral yesterday on both a personal basis and for Teign Jazz and Blues and its members. It was a lovely day, the sun came out and it was fascinating to hear of John’s life and meet his family. Delightfully, many musicians from near and far came together to play at the wake but also to parade in front of the cortege in true New Orleans tradition. Please excuse my poor videoing but I thought you might appreciate some clips (to be added soon).
You will be missed John but at last you are back ‘In Peoria.’
