A versatile vibraphonist capable of doing close musical and verbal imitations of Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, Milt Jackson, and Terry Gibbs, Peter Appleyard is a superior swing player. His wide-ranging career included playing drums in English dance bands, a period spent living in Bermuda (before settling in Canada in 1951), and a busy career in the studios. He was with Calvin Jackson's quartet in the mid-'50s, toured with Benny Goodman in the early '70s, and hosted a musical television series in Canada during 1977-1979 (Peter Appleyard Presents). Appleyard, who has appeared at many festivals through the years, has led his own record dates since 1956, including sets for Canadian RCA, Audio Fidelity, Dauntless, and two 1990 albums for Concord. ~ Scott Yanow