Spotlight on Jon Stokes
This months spotlight features our lead trombone player, Jon Stokes. Well known for his impeccable lead trombone playing, and great sense of humour Jon is in high demand throughout the film session and West End world.
1. Tell me about the first time you performed in public?
I joined the ‘Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade’ in Cheltenham when I was around 9 years old. My first musical performance would have been marching with the band playing cymbals. I quickly progressed on to a bugle and then a drum before I discovered the joy of the trombone!
2. What do you enjoy most about being in the LP Swing Orchestra?
My parents' music collection was quite eclectic. We had a lot of Patsy Clein, Cher and Chris De Burgh as well as medieval plainchant, Beethoven, and John Williams (the guitarist). However, amongst all this I also found Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Bix Beiderbecke. This ignited my love of big bands and the LPSO gives me the opportunity to perform this incredible music. Not only that, but I get to do it with some remarkable musicians whom I also consider to be close friends.
3. What would the three albums on your desert island be?
Only 3?!?!
Count Basie - Chairman of the Board
Got to have a big band record and this is one of my favourites. A great album of the Basie band. The band is swinging, and the brass is tight.
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Los Angeles Philharmonic - Esa-Pekka Salonen- Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 3
This is one of the first orchestral pieces I heard that made me really sit up and listen. I've heard countless performances and recordings of Mahler 3 but this one by the LA Phil is the first one I heard and it's still my favourite. Simply beautiful (and it has a big trombone solo).
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Jon Cleary - Alligator Lips and Dirty Rice
I'm a big fan of the music of New Orleans. Trad jazz, blues, funk - all of it. This first album from British born New Orleans resident Jon Cleary has it all for me. The grooves are infectious, and I love his piano style.
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4. Can you tell me one thing about you that you think our LP family might not know?
Being brought up in Gloucestershire it is impossible to ignore Gloucester Rugby Club. Whilst I'm not a diehard fan, I do try and make a few games each year. Especially at home in Kingsholm.
