Jim Sutton

Jim formed his first band (Tannhauser) whilst still at school, and its bassist is now a government minister. He did his first gigs with Tony Sawford’s Reg Glob Allstar Showband on guitar and piano because the cello, which was his main instrument at the time, was unsuitable for these applications. His first folk job was with his double-bass teacher Roger Grainger’s group Sarabande, which he participated in at the same time as being the first gigging bass player with Stourbridge heavy metal combo Diamond Head (his hearing still bears the scars). The folk music continued at university in Durham with Wynters Armoury, along with engagements in (other people’s) academic music projects and humourous rock band The Morones.

Returning to the Midlands saw the start of a working partnership with songwriter and singer Tony Jones which led to Jim’s involvement in the last embers of the Ivor Smallpiece Big Band, making the transitions into Maurice and the Minors and the first Desperate Men. Whilst all this was going on Jim was already putting a toe in the jazz water with vibist and drummer John Sparry. He eventually left the Desperates to spend more time with John’s quartet (a gig he still has after about 25 years!) and (amongst many others) Blue Train, Bryn Venus’ Key Largo Trio, the New Birmingham Bobcats and his own occasional formulations. Jim has done catalogues of jazz dep gigs with bands as diverse as Pendulum, the Swing Kings and the Crown Phoenix Big Band, plus a three year stretch with the Martinique Jazz Band including a (mercifully) brief tour of Germany. At times he has appeared to be the house bass player at the Trumpet in Bilston.

Jim was invited to play on John’s solo release Behind The Lines, and the promotional launch gig for that album, his first folk club engagement for very many years. He was there at the Emerald Club for the Desperates’ farewell appearance, and was delighted by John’s call to contribute to Walls Of Hope and subsequent gigs with the JRB.