Peter Clayton

Who was Peter Clayton?

Peter Clayton was an English music broadcaster and writer, best known for presenting jazz and easy listening music programmes on BBC Radio 1, 2, 3 and the World Service.

After a period working for Decca Records, Clayton first started to present jazz music on BBC Radio in October 1968, with a programme called Jazz on One which was broadcast on 247 metres Medium Wave on Sunday evenings.

In 1970, he went on to present Jazz Notes and his best remembered programme, Sounds of Jazz, later in 1973 when BBC Radio 1 joined the BBC Radio 2 VHF transmitters broadcasting on 88-91 MHz FM at 10 p.m. every Sunday evening. The theme music to the programme was composed by Laurie Johnson. As well as playing jazz records, Clayton would organize and present 'live' jazz recordings with an audience with each 'set' lasting about 30 minutes at the BBC studios in Maida Vale, London, during the week. Artists such as Dave Shepherd with his quintet, piano player Colin Purbrook, Danny Moss and Jeanie Lambe and Kenny Baker frequently appeared. The Mike Westbrook Orchestra made several broadcasts and filled the studio.