Peter Clayton
Encyclopedia
Peter Clayton was an English
music broadcaster and writer, best known for presenting jazz and easy listening music programmes on BBC Radio 1
and 2
.
After a period working for Decca Records
, Clayton first started to present jazz music on BBC
Radio in October 1968, with a programme called Jazz on One which was broadcast on 247 meters Medium Wave on Sunday evenings.
In 1970, he went on to present Jazz Notes and his best remembered program, Sounds of Jazz later in 1973 when BBC Radio 1
joined the BBC Radio 2
VHF transmitters broadcasting on 88-91 MHz FM
at 10 p.m. every Sunday evening. The theme music to the programme was composed by Laurie Johnson
. As well as playing jazz records, Clayton would organize and present 'live' jazz recordings with an audience (the tickets were complimentary) with each 'set' lasting about 30 minutes at the BBC studios in Maida Vale
, London
during the week. Artists such as Dave Shepherd
with his quintet, Colin Purbrook, Danny Moss
and Jeanie Lambe and Kenny Baker (trumpeter)
frequently appeared. The Mike Westbrook Orchestra made several broadcasts and filled the studio.
He interviewed the jazz singer Sarah Vaughan
on his Sounds of Jazz program in July 1977, when Vaughan sang a live tribute to the music of composer George Gershwin
.
Clayton wrote three books along with his colleague Peter Gammond; A Bluffer's Guide to Jazz, Jazz A-Z and 14 Miles on a Clear Night.
His show, Sounds of Jazz, continued to be heard on BBC Radio 2 until his death. On BBC Radio 3
, he succeeded Steve Race
as the presenter of the Saturday afternoon program Jazz Record Requests.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
music broadcaster and writer, best known for presenting jazz and easy listening music programmes on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
and 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
.
After a period working for Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, Clayton first started to present jazz music on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Radio in October 1968, with a programme called Jazz on One which was broadcast on 247 meters Medium Wave on Sunday evenings.
In 1970, he went on to present Jazz Notes and his best remembered program, Sounds of Jazz later in 1973 when BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
joined the BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
VHF transmitters broadcasting on 88-91 MHz FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
at 10 p.m. every Sunday evening. The theme music to the programme was composed by Laurie Johnson
Laurie Johnson
Laurie Johnson is an English film and television composer, and bandleader.-Career:...
. As well as playing jazz records, Clayton would organize and present 'live' jazz recordings with an audience (the tickets were complimentary) with each 'set' lasting about 30 minutes at the BBC studios in Maida Vale
Maida Vale
Maida Vale is a residential district in West London between St John's Wood and Kilburn. It is part of the City of Westminster. The area is mostly residential, and mainly affluent, consisting of many large late Victorian and Edwardian blocks of mansion flats...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
during the week. Artists such as Dave Shepherd
Dave Shepherd
David Joseph "Dave" Shepherd is an English jazz clarinetist born in London.Shepherd began on piano before switching to clarinet at age 16. He studied under a clarinetist from the Hamburg State Opera Orchestra while stationed in Hamburg after World War II...
with his quintet, Colin Purbrook, Danny Moss
Danny Moss
Dennis "Danny" Moss MBE was a British jazz tenor saxophonist. He was known for playing with most of the high profile figures of British jazz, including Vic Lewis, Ted Heath, Johnny Dankworth, Alex Welsh, and Humphrey Lyttelton....
and Jeanie Lambe and Kenny Baker (trumpeter)
Kenny Baker (trumpeter)
Kenny Baker was born on 1 March 1921 in Withernsea, East Riding of Yorkshire and died 7 December 1999. He was an accomplished player of jazz trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn, and a composer.-Biography:...
frequently appeared. The Mike Westbrook Orchestra made several broadcasts and filled the studio.
He interviewed the jazz singer Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."...
on his Sounds of Jazz program in July 1977, when Vaughan sang a live tribute to the music of composer George Gershwin
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
.
Clayton wrote three books along with his colleague Peter Gammond; A Bluffer's Guide to Jazz, Jazz A-Z and 14 Miles on a Clear Night.
His show, Sounds of Jazz, continued to be heard on BBC Radio 2 until his death. On BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
, he succeeded Steve Race
Steve Race
Stephen Russell Race OBE was a British composer, pianist and radio and television presenter.-Biography:Born in Lincoln, the son of a lawyer, Race learned the piano from the age of five...
as the presenter of the Saturday afternoon program Jazz Record Requests.