Band Profile

Band Info

Inspired by vintage “78” records of early American jazz masters, John Shillito borrowed an old cornet and started his playing career whilst still a schoolboy in his hometown of Sheffield in the 1950’s. He later moved to be based in London for 15years and successfully led his own band, (which included a very young Sammy Rimington). In the 1960’s he toured the UK and Europe with some of the popular jazz bands of the period. In 1971 he was invited to join John Bastable’s Chosen Six, a band which was in fact Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen without Ken, who had been forced by ill health to give up playing for a while. John celebrates over 50 years of band-leading under his own name as John Shillito’s Select Six. Band Personnel - John Shillito – Cornet and vocals; John Wurr – clarinet, alto and baritone saxes, also vocals. Bobby Fox – Trombone; Derek Maughan – drums; John Whitlock – banjo and guitar; Bob Jarvis – bass guitar. Simon Banks – Piano.