John Burch

John Burch (born John Alexander Burchell; 6 January 1932 – 18 April 2006) was an English pianist, composer and bandleader, equally at home playing traditional jazz, bebop, blues, skiffle, boogie-woogie and rock.

Background Burch was born in London on 6 January 1932. Having started piano lessons at age 12, he played in army bands during his military service stationed in Germany and in the late 1950s toured military bases with his trio.

He was also a teacher on the Barry Summer School jazz-education project, which was attended by pianist Keith Tippett.

On 19 September 1962, Burch on piano played in the Don Rendell Quintet at the Paris Cinema. Other musicians included Don Rendell on tenor and soprano saxophone etc., Graham Bond on alto saxophone, Dick Heckstall-Smith on tenor saxophone, Tony Archer on bass and Ted Pope on drums. The session was recorded.

Johnny Burch Octet In 1963, Burch, Mike Falana John Mumford, Graham Bond, Stan Robinson, Miff Moule, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker participated in a live broadcast for the BBC.

In 1965, Burch, Hank Shaw, Ken Wray, Ray Swinfield, Peter King, Harry Klein, Jeff Clyne and Mike Scott participated in a live broadcast for the BBC in November 1965.

Johnny Burch Trio The Johnny Burch Trio was active in 1965. It consisted of Johnny Burch on piano, Ron Mathewson on Bass and Alan Green on drums.

Discography + Albums Act Release Catalogue Year Notes Red Price, Ray Warleigh & Chris Pyne with the Johnny Burch Trio Groovin' High: Jam Session At The Hopbine, 1965 Acrobat – ACMCD4393 2017 CD

Death Burch died from cancer on 18 April 2006.

Later years In 2019, the recordings by the Johnny Burch Octet that was recorded in 1963 and 1965 were released on the album, Jazz Beat.