John Burch (musician)

John Burch (born John Alexander Burchell, January 6 1932, in London died April 18 2006), was a British pianist, composer and band leader equally at home playing traditional jazz, bebop, blues, skiffle, boogie-woogie and rock.

Starting piano classes at age 12, during his military service stationed in Germany he played in army bands and in the late 50s toured military bases with his own trio, including Graham Bond. In 1959, he toured France with bassist Jeff Clyne and saxophonist Bobby Wellins. In 1960 he joined Allan Ganley's Jazzmakers.

In the early 60s he led a quartet and an octet with Graham Bond, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Ray Warleigh, Peter King, Hank Shaw and future Cream founders Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. In 1965 he led a trio featuring Ron Mathewson and John Stevens.Other musicians he worked with include Don Rendell, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Freddie Hubbard, Red Rodney, Jon Eardley, Kathy Stobart and Eddie Vinson, and in 1984 he re-formed the octet with Dick Morrissey, at the same time playing with UK jazz-funk band Morrissey - Mullen.

As a composer, he wrote "Preach and Teach" (1966) which provided the B-side of Georgie Fame's hit "Yeh Yeh", and was also recorded by Buddy Rich.

He dedicated his "Resurrection Ritual Suite" to Dick Morrissey and on his death had just completed a tribute to Ronnie Scott called "Just By Chance".

He was also a teacher on the Barry Summer School jazz-education project which was attended by pianist Keith Tippett.