Index to Band Leader Profile (just click on a topic to jump to it)
The band leader, Peter Salmond, is a self-taught
banjo player. Having asked for a banjo for his 40th birthday, he formed his first traditional
jazz band along with his son Andrew (now an accomplished pianist) on trombone and his daughter Julia on double bass, along with other pupils, parents, teachers and friends at Lomond School in Helensburgh.
Naturally enough, they called themselves The Lomond Jazz Band. Demand for the band grew and eventually the older members of the band formed their own band. For want of a better
name, Pete's Jazz Band was established. Because of illness within the group and two other members moving away from the area, Peter decided to start afresh and formed Summit Jazzy -
the TOPS in New Orleans Jazz.
All the band members are extremely well known in the band circuit as they all play in several different bands. Indeed, Peter Salmond has gained valuable experience by being
invited to 'sit in' with the following local jazz bands (in alphabetical order):
The Allander Jazz Band Bob McDowall's Jazz
Band The Jazzwegians Kit Carey & his
Jazzmen The Maid of the Forth
Stompers The syncopated style of banjo playing that Peter Salmond has perfected has been influenced greatly by the famous George Formby on his ukulele. As a teenager, Peter had
played ukulele and had taught himself this unique style of rhythmic strumming. He has now transferred this style to the banjo.
To keep the costs down (and hopefully obtain more gigs!), Summit Jazzy play mostly as a 4-piece band. The syncopated sounds from the banjo soon get the toes tapping - thus
reducing the need for drums. There is, however, nothing more exciting and exhilarating than to hear the full 6-piece band in full swing.
To vary the sound, especially when playing as a smaller group, Peter uses his most uncommon 4-string tenor guitar. Again, he has perfected his own unique style of playing,
having been fascinated by the incredible sounds of Chet Atkins. On numerous occasions, he has performed solo on the guitar with a wide range of melodies - from Walt Disney to the
Beatles' classics; old tyme favourites to modern musicals; Scottish melodies to Irish folk songs; and jazz standards to the more popular tunes of today.
For more information on how to convert an ordinary 6-string guitar to a 4-string
tenor guitar, visit
www.summitjazzy.co.uk/videos.html
There
is a short sample of Peter's guitar playing on the 'General Information' page. It
is the first line of one of Peter's own
compositions, a tune
entitled "Go To Sleep With A Smile On Your Face" - with NO
multi-tracking!.
John Cowan & the Lairds of Dixieland
Mike Daly and his Rhythm Kings
The Clive Deakin All Stars
Dr John & Friends
The Faslane Jazz Band
Hugh Muldoon's Ragtime Band
George Ogilvie & his Jazz Band
George Penman & his Jazzmen
The Steamboat Stompers
The Sunset Cafe Jazz Band
Dave Wilson & the Uptown Shufflers
Zeke's Jazz Band
L to R: Peter Salmond and John Cowan
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In March 2003, Peter entered a national guitar competition and was immediately invited to be interviewed live on BBC Radio Scotland with his unusual instrument. Having qualified for the quarter and semi-finals, Peter won the grand finals (Blues category) of the "Guitar Hero" competition on 2 May 2003 in Glasgow. Next year - Birmingham?
The "Guitar Hero" competition is one of the UK's most prestigious guitar events, as recognised by Total Guitar, Guitar Buyer, Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM), Guitar Institute (GI), Ernie Ball Musicman Guitars, Peavey Electronics, Total Accuracy (Jamtrax) and the Musicians Union. You cannot get better endorsement for a competition in the UK !
Peter's prize was a fabulous Ernie Ball electric guitar which he immediately converted from 6-string to 4-string!
Anyone interested in learning to play this type of guitar should contact Peter as early as possible. He is convinced that it is easier to play than a 6-string guitar and emphasises that an ordinary 6 string guitar can be easily converted to a 4 string tenor guitar. He also claims that you don't have to be able to read music to play his style of guitar plucking.
Peter's tuition fees are very reasonable!
For further information about the competition, contact www.guitarhero.com
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For the first round of the competition on the 28 February 2004, Peter played two tunes - 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' followed by the old time favourite 'Whispering.' The slow melody followed by the second much faster melody managed to get Peter through to the second round.
Having been told that he was not allowed to play the same tunes again for the second round of auditions, Peter decided to play the Walt Disney classic from the film Pinocchio 'When You Wish Upon A Star' followed by the up-tempo oldie 'Ain't She Sweet.'
A few days later, Peter was informed that he had not made it through to the finals this year because his choice of tunes were too similar to previous auditions. Peter's attitude had been to maintain the winning formula!
No doubt he will try again next year. Watch this space.
For further information about the competition, contact www.guitarhero.com
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As well as playing the banjo and guitar, Peter Salmond has also played the double bass - and the bagpipes! Indeed, he played the bagpipes in the Boys' Brigade and was Pipe Major in his school's Combined Cadet Force Band. The following press reports show him as one of the main organisers of a local Burn's Night in 1989. Peter is top left in the picture and his daughter, Julia, is 3rd from the left.
Meanwhile, here are the words to his own song:-
Go To Sleep With A Smile On Your Face
Go to sleep with a smile on your face
Forget about the whole human race
The trouble and strife
But that is ‘just life’
Go to sleep with a smile on your face.
So remember those happier days
The fun you had in so many ways
At least with good health
Who needs to have wealth
Go to sleep with a smile on your face.
Go climb that mountain to the top
Never falter, never stop.
But at the summit, stop to think
Before you wake with just one blink.
Stay and dream for a while in your bed
With happier thoughts in your head
Wake up and you’ll find
You’ve got peace of mind
Show no hatred, just loving instead.
And here are the "dots" to his own song (courtesy of John Cowan):-
Words, Music, Copyright by PETER SALMOND - 20 September 2002
Please note the following ingredients for the above song:-
1. Good story line
2. Definite moral involved
3. Can be sung by either sex
4. Simple melodic tune
5. Easy range of notes
6. Change of key for middle section
7. Complete break after middle section
8. Bouncy, foot-tapping number
9. Appropriate for all ages
10. Suitable for any size / type of orchestral backing !!!!
PLEASE CONTACT PETER ON 01389 841 279 IF YOU WOULD LIKE A SINGING AUDITION
Peter Salmond is a member of the Musicians' Union
(Membership No. 485739)
You are listening to Peter's pathetic attempt at singing his own composition !
Go To Sleep With A Smile On Your Face
Order your copy now! (REFER TO THE PAGE "HEAR AND SEE THE BAND").
Click here to e-mail Peter at petersalmond@btinternet.com or phone him on 01852 200787.