John Billett

A life of music

Growing up with a piano playing, speech training, school headmistress mother, John Billett could never escape his surroundings where live music was a glorious feature of every day life.

Taking in all the music grades in piano, music theory and singing, John joined the Exeter Cathedral Choir, becoming Head Boy, studied with the Royal School of Church Music and was twice chosen "RSCM Choirboy of the year" in consecutive years.

His jazz inspiration came from next door where the Crescent City Stompers rehearsed. At the age of 8 John learned the thrill of syncopation and the surprise of improvisation, teaching himself jazz piano, guitar and banjo. Suitably inspired he formed his "boy band" The Rivermen skiffle group and played traditional jazz with the Jazz Cavaliers.

He moved to the back row of the choir as a counter-tenor; joined Exeter Little Theatre appearing regularly in musicals, Gilbert & Sullivan and pantomime. He developed his jazz piano style listening to expensive imported US recordings through the 1960's and beyond. 

Having left the West Country he found himself playing modern jazz piano at venues in London and the South East and was one of the earliest adopters of a Moog Synthesiser.

Pursuing his singing interests he joined the London Symphony Orchestra Chorus performing all the major choral works at The Proms in The Royal Albert Hall, London's Festival Hall, plus the Edinburgh and Bath Festivals and appeared on many recordings of great classical works. He also sang extensively with the London Philharmonic Choir and The John Alldis Choir. He started and built his own four part harmony a-Capella choir performing for charitable events. 

He performed his 45 minute one man cabaret show at London's Dorchester Hotel, playing piano and singing interspersed with topical light hearted commentaries.

 Music performances took a back seat for several years, as family and business building challenges and    opportunities took their toll on rehearsal time, whilst his record collection blossomed as did listening to great live   jazz performances across the world. 

 Having sold his business interests and having more available time, the challenge of presenting live music  performances proved a temptation that could not for long be avoided. The touchstone was a "Jazz in the  Meadow" event for the Norfolk Lady Taverners charity. 

 The thrill of putting together three bands of brilliant musicians converted John to become a more committed  music promoter. 

Music, as a background to something else, is no music. Performing with recorded backing tracks is no performance. Great music is always live. Listen to music in the foreground. Brilliant music, superbly performed by outstanding musicians, and heard without distraction is a recipe for entertainment, inspiration and complete enjoyment. And the great thing about improvised music is its different every time.

Live music is so exciting, you never know what's going to happen