Brian Lemon

Brian Lemon (b. Nottingham, UK, 11 February 1937) is a European jazz pianist and arranger most notable for his works with Benny Goodman, Charlie Watts, Scott Hamilton, Buddy Tate, Milt Jackson, Ben Webster, George Chisholm and Kenny Baker. He moved to London in the mid-1950s to join Freddy Randall's band. After that he worked with a variety of bands ranging from traditional to post-bop. He also had his own octet which played songs by Billy Strayhorn.

b. 11 February 1937, Nottingham, England. After playing piano in and around his home town, Lemon moved to London in the mid-50s where he joined the Freddy Randall band. During the late 50s and early 60s he played with several bands ranging from those of a traditional bent through to the mainstream and into post-bop. Amongst the leaders with whom he has worked are Betty Smith, Al Fairweather, Sandy Brown, Dave Shepherd, Danny Moss, George Chisholm and Alex Welsh. A regular member of the house band at leading London venues such as the Pizza Express and Ronnie Scott’s, he has also backed several visiting American jazz musicians, including Benny Goodman, Ben Webster, Milt Jackson and Buddy Tate. Always displaying considerable flair and switching styles with rare ease, by the 70s Lemon had become a familiar and popular figure on the UK jazz scene, a role he maintained throughout the 80s and into the late 90s. He is also in demand as a session musician on radio, performing and writing music within and beyond the framework of jazz.