Jazz at the Vaults: John Pearce (Violin)

Born in Bristol, John Pearce began learning the violin at the age of seven and has since performed in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Japan as well as at venues in London including the Royal Festival Hall, St. Martin in the Fields and St. John’s, Smith Square.

He has performed live as a soloist on BBC radio and television and has given world premieres of works by composers such as Sir Richard Rodney Bennett. He regularly appears as a soloist, most recently performing the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Stroud Symphony Orchestra and gives duo recitals with pianist and composer Motoki Hirai. Festival performances have included the Cheltenham Music Festival, the Bath Festival and the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.

John had the honor of receiving an award from the Former Parliamentary under Secretary of State for an outstanding contribution to music and was awarded a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music where he studied with Gyorgy Pauk, later continuing his studies privately with Bela Katona.  He is also part of the Live Music Now scheme that was developed by Yehudi Menuhin.

Working with many local musicians it is pianist Dave Newton who has become something of a mentor to him in the jazz field and indeed is on John’s debut album “Just Friends” released in 2019 to great critical acclaim.

Doors 8pm