John Dennis - keyboards
John's mother was a gifted classical pianist who gave piano lessons at home. John was therefore exposed to music from a very early age. His mother's playing inspired him to emulate her and to learn to play just as well. So John persevered and developed a good classical piano technique by the time he was in his early teens.
By his mid teens, John discovered jazz. He'd always liked improvising (even in the middle of a Beethoven piano sonata!) but now he'd found a music genre where improvisation was central. This appealed greatly and John was soon hooked on jazz.
His first jazz band was formed at school. A friend, who played guitar, became the upright bass player (well, although a lot bigger it wasn't all that different from the guitar!). Another friend who had a drum kit (of a sort!) made up the trio. Their first 'gig' was playing at the school's annual music concert. The school had never had a jazz band perform at these concerts. Whether it was any good or not is lost in the mists of time - but it was certainly different!
By his early twenties, John decided to give up his day job as a computer programmer and become a full time musician. His style was now very influenced by jazz-funk - Herbie Hancock being a big influnce. He joined a number of bands and played at many of the music pubs around London. John also taught piano, did session work and collaborated with singer/songwriters.
After John's first daughter was born a more reliable source of income was required so he returned to computer programming but playing and teaching piano remained in the background. John eventually moved on to become a college lecturer teaching IT. Since taking early retirement from this, John has once again been able to devote his time fully to music - both teaching and performing.
John has been a founding member of Equinox along with John Collings. Together they are developing an original blend of jazz, funk, Latin and blues.
By his mid teens, John discovered jazz. He'd always liked improvising (even in the middle of a Beethoven piano sonata!) but now he'd found a music genre where improvisation was central. This appealed greatly and John was soon hooked on jazz.
His first jazz band was formed at school. A friend, who played guitar, became the upright bass player (well, although a lot bigger it wasn't all that different from the guitar!). Another friend who had a drum kit (of a sort!) made up the trio. Their first 'gig' was playing at the school's annual music concert. The school had never had a jazz band perform at these concerts. Whether it was any good or not is lost in the mists of time - but it was certainly different!
By his early twenties, John decided to give up his day job as a computer programmer and become a full time musician. His style was now very influenced by jazz-funk - Herbie Hancock being a big influnce. He joined a number of bands and played at many of the music pubs around London. John also taught piano, did session work and collaborated with singer/songwriters.
After John's first daughter was born a more reliable source of income was required so he returned to computer programming but playing and teaching piano remained in the background. John eventually moved on to become a college lecturer teaching IT. Since taking early retirement from this, John has once again been able to devote his time fully to music - both teaching and performing.
John has been a founding member of Equinox along with John Collings. Together they are developing an original blend of jazz, funk, Latin and blues.
John Collings - bass
John grew up on a diet of the rock and pop played on mainstream and pirate radio but was particularly drawn to the soul and funk music of the 70's and early 80's.
He was first asked by some friends to pick up the bass and to join them in the jazz funk band that they had recently formed (jazz funk? - well it was 1983). After initially dismissing the idea he finally gave in to their cajoling and on a borrowed and battered Columbus bass guitar had his first taste of music making in the low register. A few enjoyable but frustrating weeks of starting to get to grips with this wayward instrument turned into the shock of finding that the band had secured their first gig the following month! And so it was, within a woefully short period of time, that he found himself on stage in Newington Green Community Centre in North London playing in the support opening for a very good local reggae band.
Fortunately this first gig went far better than the lack of preparation and experience might have suggested and paved the way for several years of intense musical study and practice. John played in a number of soul and funk rock bands during this time and became more and more interested in jazz and blues genres.
There followed quite a few years when music making took a back seat to juggling career and family commitments. John continued his jazz studies however, attending several workshops and playing in a number of duo, trio and larger ensembles when time permitted.
The last few years have seen John returning to music making in a much more focused way. He is playing in a few different soul, funk and jazz projects and is thrilled to be holding down the low end playing the jazz and latin music of Equinox.
He was first asked by some friends to pick up the bass and to join them in the jazz funk band that they had recently formed (jazz funk? - well it was 1983). After initially dismissing the idea he finally gave in to their cajoling and on a borrowed and battered Columbus bass guitar had his first taste of music making in the low register. A few enjoyable but frustrating weeks of starting to get to grips with this wayward instrument turned into the shock of finding that the band had secured their first gig the following month! And so it was, within a woefully short period of time, that he found himself on stage in Newington Green Community Centre in North London playing in the support opening for a very good local reggae band.
Fortunately this first gig went far better than the lack of preparation and experience might have suggested and paved the way for several years of intense musical study and practice. John played in a number of soul and funk rock bands during this time and became more and more interested in jazz and blues genres.
There followed quite a few years when music making took a back seat to juggling career and family commitments. John continued his jazz studies however, attending several workshops and playing in a number of duo, trio and larger ensembles when time permitted.
The last few years have seen John returning to music making in a much more focused way. He is playing in a few different soul, funk and jazz projects and is thrilled to be holding down the low end playing the jazz and latin music of Equinox.