Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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CRITCHINSON, John

(b 24 December 1934, London; d 15 December 2020) UK jazz pianist. Self taught after tuition from grandfather at age three. Family moved to Bath; worked as farmer, served electrical apprenticeship, but meanwhile co-ran jazz club and turned pro, joined a band in Bath which folded; to London '57 and a day job servicing organs for Boosey and Hawkes. He gave up on London, worked for the Gas Board, tuned car engines, played in resort hotels. A break came May '79 with a call to join the house band at Ronnie Scott's club: still there years later, his style influenced by Oscar Peterson, full of joy. He also played with Morrisey-Mullen, then trio CDM with drummer Martin Drew (b 11 February 1944, Northampton, England; d 29 July 2010, London), bassist Ron Mathewson (b 19 February 1944, d 3 December 2020) from Ronnie's; albums (under Critchenson's name) included Summer Afternoon '82, New Night '84 on Coda. He formed a quartet mid-'90s with saxophonist Art Themen, Fave Green on bass, Dave Barry on drums: First Moves on Ronnie Scott's Jazz House. Excuse Me, Do I Know You? '99 on that label was a tribute to Scott, with Pat Crumly on reeds. He was an irrepressible maverick from whom younger people could learn.