While largely unknown outside of his native Britain, pianist and composer John Burch was a pivotal figure in the London jazz scene of the post-bop era. An uncommonly keen judge of raw talent, his influential octet was the launching pad for future R&B and rock stars including Graham Bond, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce. Born John Burchell in London on January 6, 1932, he began formal music lessons at age 12, and while stationed in postwar West Germany made his professional debut in a series of local jazz combos. In 1957 Burch formed his own trio, which for a time included fledgling saxophonist Graham Bond; two years later, the pianist toured France with bassist Jeff Clyne and saxophonist Bobby Wellins. After a brief stint with drummer Allan Ganley's Jazzmakers, in 1961 Burch joined forces with saxophonist Don Rendell, cutting the LP Roarin'. In addition to introducing the rich, blues-inspired sensibility he continued to hone throughout his career, the disc also featured his first recorded composition, "Manumission." Another saxophonist, Dick Heckstall-Smith, co-led Burch's next unit, a quartet that headlined the famed Wardour Street venue the Flamingo Club alongside Georgie Fame's Famous Flames. In 1964 the unit swelled to an octet that for a spell included drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, who later teamed with guitarist Eric Clapton in the influential hard rock trio Cream. As union regulations loosened and U.S. jazz icons played London with increasing frequency, Burch also emerged as a well-respected and versatile sideman, backing everyone from saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk to trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. After dissolving the octet in 1966, Burch channeled much of his energy into composition. Fame cut his "Preach and Teach" as the B-side of the hit "Yeh Yeh." But he spent more than a decade as a club sideman, not resurfacing on record until 1978's One Way, a collaboration with drummer Tommy Chase and saxophonist Ray Warleigh. During the early 1980s, Burch regularly accompanied saxophonist Kathy Stobart, and also cut several dates in support of American singer and saxophonist Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. He finally agreed to re-form the octet in 1984, teaming with saxophonist Dick Morrissey for what would prove the most vital music of his career. Burch remained a constant of the London club circuit until his death from cancer on April 18, 2006. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi