Playing guitar, and occasional violin, with soul, blues and reggae bands in the London club scene of the 1970s, first group The Bone Idols played local gigs and toured the South of France. During a week's residency at a nightclub in Cannes, Stephane Grappelli, who was playing down the road at the Palm Beach Casino, came in most evenings to unwind and sat at the band table - a significant encounter in view of future events. Playing with other local bands including The Sound of St. James and Krivoli Rog who featured vocalist Paul Conroy, later chairman of the Brit Awards. An attempt at a "proper job" at the BBC tape library with a view to becoming a sound engineer, was cut short after playing at all-nighter gigs in London at weekends and not being on the ball on Monday morning, although came back to the BBC on a couple more occasions.

Still on guitar, All-nighters at the Flamingo Club in London's Wardour St. with the System Soul Band opposite bands like Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, and US Airforce bases around the UK with Mac and Katie Kissoon were followed by a year with Junior's Conquest, which featured Hammond organist/guitarist Junior Kerr (later aka Junior Marvin of Bob Marley and The Wailers). This was followed by 2 years, as guitarist/violinist, with The Gass recording first album at Sound Techniques and Trident Studios, which featured Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green as a guest on two tracks. Apart from some dates in Spain The Gass played mainly the London club scene,  which at the time included The Bag O' Nails, Speakeasy, Scotch of St. James, The Revolution, Rasputin's, Sybillas and a Saturday night residency "Upstairs" at Ronnie Scott's where regular sitters-in included Peter Green, Georgie Fame and the horn section from Ginger Baker's "Airforce".
Another venture - Phil Collins's "Zox & the Radar Boys" - a band he formed pre Brand X, while still with Genesis - MP violin.

A change to a more acoustic style, featuring more violin, resulted in tours, recordings, broadcasts from 1974 with Paul Brett (3 albums).  Claim to fame! - Possibly the only person ever to appear on the Old Grey Whistle Test wearing a dressing gown - see videos) - still have the OGWT badge of honour; Paul King (Mungo Jerry) - 3 albums, Ralph McTell (6 albums) and tours with Ralph and Danny Thompson, including a week in Holland supporting Randy Newman and also concerts with  Ralph's six piece band which included Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg, Maddy Prior and Nigel Portman-Smith.

Recording with Joanne Kelly (the greatest female British blues singer) and Pete Emery on the album "Do It".

A short-lived band "Horace" with Rick Parnell - (famous as the in-the bath, non-playing Spinal Tap drummer) - no gigs but one vinyl EP

Violin and guitar with Bert Jansch for several years as a duo and other line-ups including the band "Conundrum" with Bert, Rod Clements (Lindisfarne) and Pick Withers (later with Dire Straits), and recording 2 albums.

1980 - 81 a member of the Denny Laine Band (Moody Blues, Wings) - 1 album "Japanese Tears" (including re-workings of "Go Now" and "Say You Don't Mind"), playing UK and continental dates on guitar and violin. 

In 1982 Bert Jansch asked me to join the re-forming Pentangle (the original line-up, replacing John Renbourn who was leaving to pursue a music course at Dartington College), as violinist/guitarist, from 1982 - 89 (2 albums) - tours of the U.S.A., UK and and continental dates.

Alongside this there were violin jazz gigs including Keith Nichols' Ragtime Orchestra which featured in concerts at the Purcell Room in London and the Bix Beiderbeck concert series at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with Guy Barker. Also some guitar dates at Ronnie Scott's with Madeleine Bell. Three nights with Bert Jansch as part of a guitar week at Ronnie's opposite John Williams.

Further work with pianist/arranger Keith Nichols at concerts and jazz festivals. An International Fiddle Festival at Battersea Arts Centre with Nigel Kennedy.  With Gypsy Jazz guitar stars Fapy Lafertin, Angelo de Barre and Romane. Playing with Grappelli guitarists, including Diz Disley, Martin Taylor, John Etheridge, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jeff Green and Denny Wright. Also with the Neil Stacey's Kimbara Brothers, Jonny Hepbir Quartet, Ultraswing, Tours of Finland with The Hot Club of London (Nils Solberg and Gerry Higgins), Ian Cruikshank, Keith Stephen's Gypsy Jazz, Jack Emblow, Big Jim Sullivan, Max Brittain, John Joyce, Wizz Jones, Tom "Spats" Langham, Malcolm Harrison, Gary Potter, Campbell Burnap, Digby Fairweather, Alan Barnes,  Piers Clark, Marty Grosz, Ken Peplowski, Chris Spedding, Howard Alden, Mike Dowling, Nigel Price, Herbie Flowers, Laurence Corns, Jason Henson,Tony Barnard, Jim Mullen, Stefan Grossman, Duck Baker, Gary Brooker, Dave Bronze's "Fargo" (1 album). 
Long-standing" member of The Lord Colwyn Band (MP vln/gtr), featuring Anthony Colwyn (dentistry/tpt/perc), saw the inside of many a Cotswold marquee and royal event. (The champagne withdrawal is evident) - 1 album.

Ventures into comedy/theatre include Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band (honorary member-3 albums and several continental tours - MP violin/ banjo/guitar/strohviolin and saw). Recordings: Jim Davidson ("The Devil Went Down to Brixton"), Ivor Biggun & the Red-nosed Burglars ("Cyril Goes to Bognor") and Bernard Cribbins ("I Can't Stand Your Country Music"). Long-standing partner in crime, accordionist John Parker alias Les Onions and MP (Hercule Croissant) liven up a few jolly events in various guises. Local Folk Club gigs with Dave Toye.
Performances and recordings with Australian vocalist Jeff Duff (Duffo) Band. Also a duo, Duffo and MP performing as "Zippy & Pinhead" (never quite sure who was who). Duffo sported a pink jumpsuit and lived on tofu.

Russell Davies' film "The Lowest of the Low" - the history of the bass saxophone, includes MP in the Joe Venuti role, playing "Raggin' the Scale" - (see videos).

Currently an occasional member of John Etheridge's "Sweet Chorus" and  played at the Xabia Jazz Fesival in Spain as a member of Martin Taylor's "Spirit of Django" - also playing at the party, with Jeff Green, to celebrate Martin's MBE.

Five years as jazz/rock violin/guitar "tutor" with the "Herbie Flowers Rockshop" week at Dartington International Summer School. The first International violin festival - "The Genius of the Violin" - held in London in 2004, featured a live broadcast from the 606 Club. The "Violin Summit" included playing with Christian Garrick and Stuart Hall, and was broadcast on BBC Radio 3's "Jazz Notes".

In addition to guest appearances on numerous recordings by other artists my first CD release "Blues for Stuff and Steph", featuring a quartet, has received excellent reviews from music publications in the UK, the USA, Jazz FM and BBC radio's "Jazz Notes".
"One of the best swing jazz fiddlers anywhere"..... New York Jazz Times. "Master of the jazz violin"...Jazz UK.

MP Quartet CD "Take a Walk" received excellent reviews and media coverage, including Humphrey Lyttelton opening his BBC Radio 2 "Best of Jazz" with "Struttin' Stuff" from the CD. (He also opened a previous show with a track from "Blues for Stuff and Steph"). 

"Stephane Grappelli - with and without Django", by Paul Balmer (Sanctuary Publications)
"Exploring Jazz Violin" by Chris Haigh, Schott Publications
"Dazzling Stranger - Bert Jansch and the British Folk and Blues Revival" by Colin Harper, Bloomsbury Publications 
"The Songs and Guitar Solos of Bert Jansch" Punchbowl Publications
"The Guinness Who's Who of Sixties Music" by Colin Larkin, Guinness Publications
"Streets of London - The Official Biography of Ralph McTell" by Chris Hockenhull, Northdown Publishing 
"Strange Brew - Eric Clapton and the British Blues Boom 1965-1970" by Christopher Hjort, JawBone Publications

31/01/16 and 1/02/16, as an ex-member of Pentangle and Bert Jansch bands, two concerts for "Celtic Connections" in Glasgow, playing guitar with Jacqui McShee as a duo, violin with Robert Plant's Sensational Space Shifters, Graham Coxon (Blur),  Bernard Butler (Suede), Karine Polwart and Martin Simpson and others for the Bert Jansch Foundation.
http://bertjansch.com/news/bert-inspired-a-concert-for-bert-jansch

Current appearances at The Ivy Club in London with the Joe Thompson Trio. Blues gigs with the Nigel Bagge Band and guest appearances at jazz clubs and festivals in the UK and abroad. "Jazz Breakfasts" with Herbie Flowers. Concerts and festivals with MP's Hot Club Trio and Martin Wheatley's Arcadians. With  Marcus Bonfanti (currently frontman for "Ten Years After" and "The Ronnie Scott Blues Explosion") and "The Hot Strings Review" with guitarist/vocalist Laurence Corns  www.laurencecorns.com 

Recording with guitarist Chris Spedding on John Lodge's (Moody Blues) solo album "10,000 Light Years Ago".

Concerts, including supporting Steeleye Span on tour, with Jacqui McShee & Friends (MP, Kevin Dempsey and Tom Chapman). 

In November 2023 playing with Jacqui McShee and Kevin Dempsey at the Royal Festival Hall for the Bert Jansch Foundation, celebrating 
what would have been Bert's 80th birthday.

In December 2023 playing with Ralph McTell again at the "Streets of London Homless Charity" concert at the Half Moon Putney

Album recordings include:

1970 GASS - MP (gtr/vln), Bobby Tench (voc/gtr), Derek Austen, (kbds/flute), DeLisle Harper (bass), Godfrey Maclean (dms/perc). Special guest – Peter Green (gtr)
1972 PAUL BRETT
1973 BRADLEYS ROADSHOW – Paul Brett -live at the Marquee Club
1973 EASY – Ralph McTell
1974 CLOCKS – Paul Brett
1975 STREETS - Ralph McTell
1975 INDISCREET - Sparks
1976 DO IT – Jo Ann Kelly
1977 A RARE CONUNDRUM – Bert Jansch
1977 KING OF BONGO BONG – Duck Baker
1978 LORD COLWYN’S 3B BAND
1978 HARD PRESSED – Bob Kerr’s Whoopee Band
1979 SLIDE AWAY THE SCREEN – Ralph McTell
1980 JAPANESE TEARS/Say You Don’t Mind/Go Now – Denny Laine Band
1981 TOO RISKY – Jim Davidson – Live
1983 OPEN THE DOOR – Pentangle
1983 ALPHABET ZOO – Ralph McTell
1984 FULL MOON - Cliff Aungier
1985 IN THE ROUND – Pentangle
1986 STRUTTIN' OUT - Stefan Grossman
1988 RADIO NIGHTS – The Moonlight Serenaders (Keith Nichols/Claus Jacobi)
1988 RUSTY TAYLOR’S JAZZ REVIEW – Rusty Taylor/Keith Nichols
1989 KEEPING UP WITH THE SPIKE JONES’S – Bob Kerr’s Whoopee Band
1990 STEALIN’ BACK - Ralph McTell
1991 I LIKE TO DO THINGS FOR YOU – Janice Day/ Keith Nichols/Guy Barker & The Cotton Club Gang
1992 SYNCOPATED JAMBOREE – Keith Nichols and the Cotton Club Orchestra
1993 HEP TO THE BEAT – The Blue Caps & Friends
1993 ONE MORE ROAD – Pentangle
1993 HOUDINI'S MOON - Paul King
1994 HAPPY DAZE – Bob Kerr’s Whoopee Band
1995 ABOUT THYME – Jacqui McShee/Gerry Conway/Spencer Cozens
1995 WHEN THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN – Bert Jansch
1995 THE MILL IS GONE – King Earl Boogie Band
1995 HOUDINI’S MOON – Paul King
1997 POPPIES – THE ULTIMATE PEACE ALBUM – Various Artists
1998 GRAVELANDS – The King
1998 "BLUES FOR STUFF & STEPH" – Mike Piggott Quartet. MP vln, Brian Dee pno, John Rees-Jones bs, Dave Trigwell dms
1999 LONELY STREET - Bap Kennedy
1999 DE RIGEUR – Ultraswing
2000 RED SKY – Ralph McTell
2001 A WOMAN'S VOICE - Jacqui McShee
2002 BOISDALE BLUE RHYTHM BAND - LIVE
2003 STROHLIN' AND STUMBLIN' - With Piers Clark - guitar
2004 BOISDALE BLUE RHYTHM BAND - LIVE
2004 I'M OLD FASHIONED - Heather Simmons
2006 "TAKE A WALK" - Mike Piggott - featuring Jacqui McShee, Peter Ind, Nils Solberg, Brian Dee, Peter Morgan and Rod Brown
2006 ALL DAY BREAKFAST - Martin Wheatley
2006 "MESS OF BLUES" (MP guitar/violin)
2006 THANK YOU MR MOON - Debbie Arthurs' Sweet Rhythm
2007 TRIBUTE TO PAUL WHITEMAN - Live at the Sage Theatre, Gateshead SPATS LANGHAM & HIS RHYTHM BOYS
2008 CHASING SHADOWS - Spats Langham & his Rhythm Boys
2009 NOW AND THEN - Mary Hopkin (re-releases from from 1977)
2009 ORDINARY MAN - Duncan McKenzie
2009 BY A WATERFALL - Spats Langham's Hot Fingers
2010 THE TALK OF THE TOWN - Debbie Arthurs' Sweet Rhythm
2010 FARGO - FARGO - Dave Bronze, Heather Simmons, Martin Wheatley
2011 ATTUNE...OR TWO Keith Stephens Hot Club Trio
2012 WAITING FOR THE MOON - HORACE (Feat. Ric Parnell of Spinal Tap)
2012 JOUEZ - Ultraswing
2012 DIDN'T PLAN MY ROUTE HERE - Nigel Bagge
2013 ATMOSPHERICS - Kate Daniels - with John Etheridge, Alec Dankworth
2014 PRETTY RED SHOES - Cat Piggott - with MP guitar, fiddle, mandolin, percussion
2015 10,000 LIGHT YEARS AGO - John Lodge (Moody Blues) - with Chris Spedding
2018 "STRINGS AIN'T WHAT THEY USED TO BE" - Wheatley's Arcadians
2019 "LES BLUES DU RICHMOND" - Duck Baker

MP- GUITARIST: Becoming aware of recordings by such artists as Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson, T Bone Walker and John Lee Hooker, my first live introduction to the blues was John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers featuring Eric Clapton and then Peter Green and other British Blues bands of that era. After playing in local groups such as the Convicts, The ‘Ighbroughs, The Bone Idols, and Sound of St. James, I joined the System Soul Band, playing  Clubs and US Airforce bases in the UK, and All-nighters at London’s Flamingo Club. This led to playing in soul and reggae bands around London and Junior’s Conquest led by Hammond organist/guitarist Junior Kerr who, as Junior Marvin,  later joined Bob Marley and the Wailers.

My first album recording was with The Gass for Polydor records. The band was Bobby Tench (voc), DeLisle Harper (bass), Godfrey Mclean (dms), Derek Austin (keybds), myself (guitar/violin). The Gass played London’s top night clubs: The Bag O’Nails, Speakeasy, Blaises, Revolution, Rasputin’s, Sybilla’s, Scotch of St James, tours of Spain and, for a year, a Saturday night residency “Upstairs” at Ronnie Scotts. Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac was a regular sitter-in at these sessions and played on two tracks on the Gass album. The Gass also recorded with Jack Hammer (writer "Great Balls of Fire"). Continuing to play guitar alongside violin, including with Shakey Vick's Blues Band, which included bass player Alex Dmochowski, (previously with Aynsley Dunbar's Retaliation and later with Frank Zappa). Alex and I were planning a band "Wavy Gravy" - which never materialised...."Blues on the Farm" with Gary Brooker Band (vln) and with Madeleine Bell at Ronnie Scott's (gtr). A special moment was recording the album" Do It" with the great Joanne Kelly and Pete Emery in 1976.

Current gigs with contemporary blues players include The Nigel Bagge Band and Mike Dowling (USA), Duck Baker (USA,) UK band “Mess of Blues” (featuring Graham Hinton ex Bone Idols) and Eric Ranzoni’s Blues band. Playing with Laurence Corns - a very versatile musician and great bluesman too. Also with Marcus Bonfanti - great blues guitarist and vocalist with Ten Years After and "Ronnie Scott Blues Explosion."

"One of the blackest white geezers I've ever met" - Jim Richardson (bassist with Georgie Fame, Chet Baker)

 

CDs STILL AVAILABLE!!!

JUNE
2 Herbie Flowers Jazz Breakfast - Speigeltent, Brighton Fringe Festival. Details tba 
7 Kings Arms Horsham with Nigel Bagge Band 8pm
9 The Hawth Hawth Ave, Crawley RH10 6YZ Jazz Lunch, MP Hot Club Trio 12pm Box Office 01293 553636 (12,noon – 2:30pm) £33.95, incl 2-course lunch
19 Gosport Jazz Club http://www.gosportjazz.org.uk/ with "Jazz Cafe"
24 The Paris House  Western Rd, Hove BN3 1AF 2 - 5pm with Nils Solberg, Jarrod Elks, and Oz Duchaine (dbs)  (Hot Club of Hove)

JULY
8 The Paris House  Western Rd, Hove BN3 1AF 2 - 5pm with Nils Solberg, Jarrod Elks, and Nick McGuigan (dbs)  (Hot Club of Hove)
11-14 Goodwood Festival of Speed with "Jazz Cafe"
16 Three Horseshoes Knockholt Sevenoaks TN14 7LD MP Trio Nils Solberg and Jerome Davies 12.30-3pm https://3shoesknockholt.co.uk/
Tel: 01959 532102
30 The Woolpack 186 High St, Banstead SM7 2NZ with Al Nicholls Quintet incl Nils Solberg 2.30pm

AUGUST
12 The Paris House  Western Rd, Hove BN3 1AF 2 - 5pm with Nils Solberg, Oz Duchaine (dbs) Angus Bishop (dms) (Hot Club of Hove)
15 OXO Brasserie, Barge St. London SE1 9PH 6pm - 10pm with Marcus Bonfanti
17/18 Brasserie Zedel  20 Sherwood St, London W1F 7ED "Hot Strings Review"with Laurence Corns/Mez Clough 12.30-3.30pm
25 Coast Cafe Beach Parade Worthing BN11 2FG 2-4pm MP Trio with Piers Clark gtr. Contact: dennis.simpson100@gmail.com
26 The Spice of Life  6 Moor St, London W1D 5NA  "Hot Strings Revue" Quartet with Laurence Corns 12-2.30pm £10
27 Watermill Jazz Club Betchworth Park Golf Club, RH4 1NZ, Reigate Rd, Dorking  MP Hot Club Quartet with Nils Solberg, Peter Morgan, Rod Brown 8pm http://www.watermilljazz.co.uk/

SEPTEMBER
1 Seven Stars,Ship St. Brighton 4-6.30pm with Pete Long Trio
5 The Swamp, Jacqui McShee Trio with Kevin Dempsey  https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skiddle.com%2Fwhats-on%2FCheltenham%2FDEYA-Brewing-Company%2FPentangle39s-Jacqui-McShee-Trio-at-DEYA%2F39221972%2F&h=AT1IVfVvMAWJgvhm2DbqAKe-jMequJ_EsGea0X1kwCoCUp1Q05ZHMBbPhJ-Eie-eeHGNmwHGNl_kE9WT_g5xpbA5B9zZ6PMF5kpSPwxIF-pugKSdeNfoqOQo60WuVIjUmmw_NDZg_fNB78wHoP0YqQ
7 Hartfield Fete with Nigel Bagge Band 1pm
9 The Paris House  Western Rd, Hove BN3 1AF 2 - 5pm with Nils Solberg, Jarrod Elks, and Oz Duchaine (dbs)  (Hot Club of Hove)
11 OXO Brasserie, Barge St. London SE1 9PH 6pm - 10pm with Marcus Bonfanti
12 Private event Kent with Johnny Hepbir Quartet
17 "Annie's Jazz" Chalkwell Park Rooms, Westcliff-on-Sea https://musiconmydoorstep.co.uk/gig-tickets/7658/annie-rsquo-s-jazz-martin-wheatley-rsquo-s-acadians
19 Concert with Herbie Flowers  Cancelled due to HF deceased
24 OXO Brasserie, Barge St. London SE1 9PH 6pm - 10pm with Marcus Bonfanti

OCTOBER
3 OXO Brasserie, Barge St. London SE1 9PH 6pm - 10pm with Marcus Bonfanti
4 The Better Half 1 Hove Pl, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 2RG 2-5pm with Jason Henson Trio
14 The Paris House  Western Rd, Hove BN3 1AF 2 - 5pm with Nils Solberg, Jarrod Elks, and Oz Duchaine (dbs)  (Hot Club of Hove)
15 Shalford Village Hall  Kings Rd, Shalford, Guildford GU4 8BQ https://guildford.u3asite.uk/u3a_groups/jazz/  - MP Quartet 2-4pm
16 OXO Brasserie, Barge St. London SE1 9PH 6pm - 10pm with Laurence Corns
24 OXO Brasserie, Barge St. London SE1 9PH 6pm - 10pm with Marcus Bonfanti

NOVEMBER
5 Three Horshoes The Pound, Knockholt TN14 7LD 8 -10.30pm MP, Nils Solberg gtr, Jerome Davies dbs
9/10 Brasserie Zedel  20 Sherwood St, London W1F 7ED "Hot Strings Review" Trio with Laurence Corns 12 - 3.30pm
12 Marlow Jazz Club with Gary Potter Quartet 8pm https://www.marlowjazz.co.uk/
22 The Kings Arms Horsham with Nigel Bagge Band 8pm
23 The Crown Capel with Nils Solberg and Bob Cranham - details tba