Chris Hodgkins with the Pete Allen Jazz Band Sunday 11th September at the Royal British Legion Club, Newbury, 2.30pm to 5pm.
During a professional career in show business that has spanned over 45 years, there is so much Pete has achieved that it is impossible to list everything. However, here are a few highlights:-
Pete joined the Rod Mason Jazz Band in 1976 and formed his own fully professional band on the 1st October 1978.
Throughout the late seventies, eighties and nineties, the Pete Allen Jazz Band was the most featured band of its style on a host of popular BBC Radio Two programmes, including regular slots on the Terry Wogan Breakfast Show and others presented by Jimmy Young, John Dunn, Ray Moore, Gloria Hunniford, Pete Clayton, Humphrey Lyttleton, Sheila Tracey, and Brian Matthew. He also featured on Music While You Work, Friday Night is Music Night, and a number of Bank Holiday Special broadcasts for Pete Murray and Paul Daniels.
In addition to radio, the band made regular appearances on television for BBC Pebble Mill at One and Harry Secombe Highway, plus Jazz Specials for Border TV, TSW, TV South, HTV West, BBC South and BBC West . He also made appearances on various European TV shows in Germany, Denmark and Holland whilst on tour.
Throughout his career, Pete has released over 100 recordings. The band represented England at the Sacramento Dixieland Jazz Jubilee USA in 1983 1984 and 1986, attracting audiences of 85,000. Pete was also chosen to lead the Worldwide All Stars â a band that included Barrett Deams (drums) and Jack Lesberg (bass) both ex-members of Louis Armstrongâs All-Stars. In 1992, whilst playing tour dates in St Louis and New Orleans USA, Pete was awarded Honorary Citizenship of New Orleans for his services to British music and tourism.
Over the years Pete has played alongside many American jazz legends including Billy Butterfield, Benny Waters, Peanuts Hucko and Bob Wilber.
During the past 45 years, his band personnel has always featured a host of British talent, and his present line-up is no exception: Jim Newton (drums), Dave Hanratty (bass), Roger Marks (trombone), James Clemas (pian) Pete Allen on clarinet and saxes is joined by Chris Hodgkins.
Chris worked with Pete in 1983 and appeared with the band at their first Sacramento Jazz Festival in 1983
Sunday 11th September, Royal British Legion Club, Newbury, 2.30 pm to 5 pm. Admission is £17.50 at the door, preferably by cash or cheque payable to P ALLEN.
“Chrissie’s Calypso” from the album I Wish You Love by Pete Allen Jazz Band
Chris Hodgkins albums and downloads are available at:Â https://chrishodgkins.bandcamp.com/
https://peteallenjazz.com/