Peter Morgan

Biography

I was born in Isleworth, Middlesex in 1951, and have lived in Twickenham, Middlesex with a few short exceptions since 1962. I attended local schools and eventually the now defunct Twickenham Art School, a part of Twickenham Technical College, also now closed.

When at Art School my interest and involvement in music grew, fostered by a wonderful music department at the Technical College. I played guitar and sang in a blues band until I was tempted to try the bass guitar. I was instantly at home and have considered myself a bass player ever since.

I started playing jazz at this time, encouraged by pianist Colin Wood, then a lecturer at Twickenham Technical College. He now works with Acker Bilk; as he has for the last 30 years. We are still friends and still work together, sometimes with Acker.

I left college a year early, when music became more important to me than art school. I joined a band working the U.S. bases and combined that with all sorts of casual work. I worked in West End nightclubs, did some pop tours and worked on cruise ships including the Q.E.2 and the Canberra.

I finally took up the double bass in 1980 and my life changed completely. I soon found myself playing jazz with many of my heroes and still can't really believe it all. I played with many of the well known Traditional bands including Humphrey Lyttleton, Terry Lightfoot, Acker Bilk, Terry Lightfoot and Keith Nichols. At the same time I was playing with a lot of the more modern or bop oriented bands and players. I joined the Don Rendell quartet and the Tony Lee trio. Slim Gaillard was living in London and I became a member of his band. Many American musicians were visiting the UK at this time and I was fortunate enough to play with lots of them, including Tal Farlow, Yank Lawson, "Peanuts" Hucko, Benny Carter and Harry "Sweets "Edison.

Since then I have played on many Albums and recorded two C.D's under my own name, "Duo" and "We Met" on the "Cowrie Bay" label.

It was a very exciting time for me, I only wish that I had been a better player back then.

These days, I play with violinist Mike Piggott, guitarist Nil's Solberg and pianists Martin Litton and Keith Nichols, among many others.

I think I am very lucky; not only is it still an exciting time for me but, I have a wonderful family, great friendships and my job is still my passion.