Peter discovered his father's Art Tatum records at an early age and has been a jazz devotee ever since. Other formative experiences were hearing Miles' In A Silent Way over the speakers in a dark basement jazz club at the age of 17 and witnessing Abdullah Ibrahim (then Dollar Brand) playing his first gig back in South Africa in 1970.

He has been writing about live jazz and reviewing recorded jazz since 1978 and has been The Birmingham Post's jazz reviewer since 1994 and contributor of the weekly jazz diary (every Monday) since 2002. You can find his writing and favourite listening at the notorious blog thejazzbreakfast.

He truly believes that jazz music is a force for good in the world and can even give us a glimpse of heaven. He plays tenor saxophone (a Borgani which he loves more than words can say) in a loud blues/rock covers band called The Shooters. Their music can even give us a glimpse of hell.

He is delighted and honoured to be living near enough to Birmingham and the many amazing (especially young) jazz musicians who have chosen to study, gig and - 'please! please!' - stay here. When he can he writes very complimentary things about them, many of which adorn this site's Words and News sections.

In fact, he can be so moved by the sight and sound of them choosing to dedicate themselves to an art which, despite being the finest and most difficult of all, will bring them nothing but extreme poverty, that he can grow moist-eyed. So, if you see an old bloke in the corner have a contented weep, pop over and say hello.