ABOUT PETER APPLEYARD.....

Vibes Appleyard is a show-stopper, all swing and bravura stick work…(he) shows he has a few----if any----peers in the vibraphone world. He's the finest invention since Lionel Hampton.

PETER APPLEYARD WAS BORN IN Cleethorpes England and began his musical career as a drummer. At the tender age of seventeen, he joined "Mendlessohn's Hawaiian Serenaders", which at that time was the most popular dance band in England. After drumming engagements with the Royal Air Force Band ( as well as several other leading British orchestras) Peter left England in 1950 for a two-year stint in Bermuda…he then re-located in Canada in December 1951. It was in 1951 that Peter visited New York's legendary "Bop City" where he soaked up what has become for him, the life-long music influences of pianist George Shearing and vibraphone, great Lionel Hampton.

Peter was so affected by what he had heard in New York, that he changed his focus, and emerged as the major jazz vibraphonist that we know and love today. He was a featured vibes soloist with Calvin Jackson Quartet at the Park Plaza Hotel in Toronto, and eventually formed his own quartet , His first album as a leader, Anything Goes (RCA) was a huge success .Not long after the release of the album. Peter and his group opened New York City's famed jazz boite. "The Round Table". Soon he was sharing the stage with the Steve Allen, Andre Previn and the "Dukes of Dixieland."

Throughout his long and prestigious career Peter has appeared in virtually all major jazz venues in the U.S.A., Asia, Europe and Canada. He has also had a long standing association with CBS Radio and Television which has brought about numerous opportunities to appear on a number of major television variety shows ( for CBS as well as other networks), including "The Andy William Show," The "Arthur Godfrey Show" and NBC's "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and the original "Today Show with Dave Garroway". In 1976 Peter launched his highly regarded television series "Peter Appleyard Presents". The show was broadcast throughout Canada and the Commonwealth and featured performances by the world's most highly regarded jazz artist. Today these wonderful episodes can be seen on the BRAVO network.

In the 1960's Peter enjoyed a stint as the featured artist and musical director for the lovely stage and screen star, Gloria De Haven-appearing in elegant hotels and showrooms throughout the United States. Peter also toured Europe with Buddy DeFranco, Barney Kessell and Herbie Mann. He was happy to be part of the Dick Hyman Japanese tour, which also included Flip Phillips, Howard Alden, Butch Miles, Michael Moore and Ken Pepiowski. Peter toured Japan again in 1993 with the late Mel Torme, and in 1992 he appeared in an all-star tribute to his idol Lionel Hampton at world "Apollo Theatre"in New York City.

A chance backstage meeting in Toronto (actually orchestrated by a prominent newspaper reporter) with legendary clarinettist Benny Goodman led to Peter's eight-year stint with Benny Goodman Sextet. Benny was forming the band to open at the world famous"Rainbow Grill" in New York City.

Eventually Goodman's group (which included such notables as Hank Jones, Milt Hilton, Bobby Rosengarden and Bucky Pizzarelli) performed at nearly every major international concert venue, including a much publicized tour of Russia. Peter's recordings with Goodman include On Stage(London Records/ Phase Four) and Benny Goodman into the 70's (Time-Life Recordings), Peter Appelyard is one of the founding members of The Benny Goodman Tribute Band (which performs with a number of Goodman Alumnus). And is also the leader of the extremely popular "Swing Fever Band".

Peter has also appeared and recorded with clarinettist "Peanuts" Hucko and the Pied Piper Quintet (World Jazz Records).He also performed alongside Tommy Dorsey, Tony Bennett,Slam Stewart, Joe Williams, Anne Murray, the late Woody Herman and an array of Jazz and music luminaries. In addition to many of his "live" engagements, he has also performed on( and conducted) numerous film scores for composers Robert Farnon, Maurice Jarrek, Percy Faith, Gil Melllie and the late Henry Mancini

Another highlight of Peter's career was a performance in 1975 at New York City's Uris Theatre along side Frank Sinatra (by Frank's request). Also appearing were the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. Peter had the fascinating task as serving as Musical Director for Her Majesty, Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. In fact the Queen Mum has said, "Peter's music is one of my most pleasant memories of Canada"

Some of Peter's foremost recordings as a leader include Percussive Jazz and The Vibe Sound of Peter Appleyard (Audio Fidelity), as well as the direct-to-disc Peter Appleyard Presents (Salisbury Labs). Peter's 1983 big band recording, Swing Fever went gold-selling over 50,000 copies in Canada alone. Peter Appleyard has also recorded twelve albums for the Canadian Talent Library. which are available on various labels through out Canada.

Peter Appleyard is considered, without a doubt, to be one of the leading jazz percussionist in the world today, and certainly a Canadian national treasure. Currently, Peter resides in Toronto-his long time home base---dividing his time between Toronto engagements, touring and his Guelph, Ontario farm. He is the proud recipient of the Scarborough, Ontario "Civic Award of Merit" for his outstanding contributions to the international and Canadian music scene, He has also been honoured to receive "The Order of Canada" in recognition of his international stature as a musician and "Good Will Ambassador".