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1940s – As a teenager during WW2 playing piano / double bass at dance hall gigs in London. Playing on the Queen Mary on trips to New York.


1950s – Living, working and painting  in New York in that jazz and loft scene as well as recording at his loft studio. Particularly playing and studying with Lennie Tristano, the blind pianist.


1960s - Moving with his young family to Big Sur, California, still playing (the first bass solo at Berkeley) and also painting and writing about Energy and Cosmic Metabolism.


1970s - In the UK, setting up a first jazz course at Leeds, playing in duos/ groups. Bringing Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh to Europe, setting up his Wave record label.


1980s and 90s - Owning and managing the renowned Bass Clef and Tenor Clef clubs and Wave Studios in Hoxton Square. Promoting Jazz, Latin and African music.


The Millennium – After Bass Clef closed, training in blue and white ceramic repair. Putting out Wave jazz recordings. Playing jazz and painting but also based in Auvers sur Oise near Paris.


The first decade of 2000s - Playing jazz and focused on writing –  "Jazz Visions" (1999), "The Environment and Cosmic Metabolism" (2007), "Bass Clef - Play Now, Pay Later" (2009).


Up to 2020 – 80th and 90th birthday celebrations and a Collection of new CDs on Wave. Focusing on Jazz Teaching/ Masterclasses. Painting Exhibitions 2018, 2019 and 2022.

A list of some of the musicians Peter played gigs/ sessions or recorded with

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  • 1940s Mecca Dance Bands, Freddie Barratt’s band, Lou Praeger orchestra.

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  • 1950sLennie Tristano, Roy Haynes, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Buddy Rich, Jutta Hipp,  Paul Bley, Sheila Jordan, Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Sal Mosca, Ted Baker, Jeff Morton, Zoot Sims, Bill Evans, Al Cohn, Tommy Flanagan, Jerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, jamming with Mingus, Charlie Parker and a young Miles Davis  – even one memorable time with Billie Holiday.

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  • 1960s  – In California Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh, Al Shackman, Eric Barker (poet).

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  • Late 60s/ 70s - Back in the UK Bud Freeman, Louis Stewart, Martin Taylor, Stephane Grapelli, Martial Solal, Tommy Whittle, Benny  Waters, Spike Robinson. Digby Fairweather, Peter King, Tal Farlow. European tours  with Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh and  a special partnership with Bernie Cash and the group of UK Jazz musicians inspired by Lennie Tristano - Chas Burchell, Gray Allard, Derek Phillips, Dave Cliff.

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  • 1980s and 90s – At his  Bass Clef and Tenor Clef clubs and Wave Studios bringing over American musicians, including Kenny Barron, Duke Jordan, Jake Hanna, Sheila Jordan.

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  • After the Club closed (1994) and into the MillenniumBass Clef International (his band), Lee Konitz,  Ian Shaw, Tony Barnard, Dave Preston, Nils Solberg and Dick Cook, Mattie Ross and a historic playing, recording and filming of two basses  duos with great friend Rufus Reid.

© Susan Jones 2026

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