Spotlight on Jon Shenoy

Turn on any T.V programme involving live music these days and you are almost guaranteed to see our very own lead alto player, Jon Shenoy with an alto, baritone, tenor or clarinet in hand. Recently seen playing with the fabulous RAYE at the NFL London Game Watch Here  it is super glamorous, but I absolutely know he prefers a Tuesday night in Hayling island to any of that...

Jon also runs his own band the'The Hot Club Of Jupiter' absolutely do go and see this band when you can, we will try to keep you updated with their engagements.

Here are some great videos of the band to enjoy!
On the tube! 
Recording the Album!

1. Tell me about the first time you performed in public?

Well, the moment the penny dropped for me in terms of performing was at my primary school leavers’ concert when I performed Eternal Flame by The Bangles on the clarinet to the other Year 6s and their parents. Seeing Kelly Windybank’s mum in such floods of tears made me realise the emotional power I held between my hands and I vowed from that moment on only to use my new-found forces for good.

2. What do you enjoy most about being in the LP Orchestra?

Over the years I realised playing in LPSO was the musical apprenticeship that couldn’t be found from my experience of musical college education: An opportunity to sit next to some of the musical legends of the scene, quietly listen to the way they play and hungrily pick their brains of technical experience and (eyebrow-raising) stories of the scene in years gone by. Big band repertoire from the swing era has an inescapable magnetism for me as a saxophonist. The opportunity to play this repertoire that was at one time the soundtrack to everyone’s lives (and gave rise to original dance forms) is something I want to participate in along with all the other fun things I get asked to do. Although it’s hard and you have to spin a lot of plates It’s a kind of rudder, keeping me aligned.  

3. What would your three albums on your desert island be?

Arghh! Don’t we get 8? Here goes:

Soul Station - Hank Mobley
My first sax teacher made me tapes of great albums by saxophonist band leaders to whet my appetite. Even copied out the track listing and line-up in to the inlay card. Who would do that now? This was one and I wore it out on my tape player in my first car singing along to all the solos.  
Listen Here 


Live at the Village Vanguard - Wynton Marsalis Septet
This had just been released when I went to university and we all sat around with our jaws on the floor listening to Wynton’s opening trumpet solo on Cherokee. This is a bit tactical, the box set is about 8 hours long haha! So much to listen to here, Buggy Ride, Jig’s Jig, In The Court of King Oliver, Embraceable You & Uptown Ruler being my favourites.
Listen Here

Pink Noise - Laura Mvula 
2021. In the depths of covid-19 one of my favourite singers released this and lifted me from the malaise… 
Listen Here

4. Can you tell me one thing about you that you think our LP family might not know?

I gave Joe Pettitt his first apple when we were 18. The fruit, not an electronic device. Between that and all the jazz it’s been a great friendship! 

* Ha! This sounds fascinating, I wonder what other fruits we can introduce Joe to ? (Georgina)