Vibraphonist, percussionist and composer Peter Appleyard was born in England in 1928. After cutting his musical teeth in British dance bands and RAF ensembles, he moved to Canada in 1951 and quicky built a reputation as a first-class vibraphone player. By 1957 he'd put together his own Toronto-based band, which toured throughout North America and made several television appearances in Canada and the U.S.. During the '60's he co-hosted a CBC radio show named "Patti and Peter" with singer Patti Lewis, and "Mallets and Brass", a CBC television show with Guido Basso. Between 1977 and 1980 he also hosted "Peter Appleyard Presents", a television jazz and variety show that was syndicated throughout North America, and gained international exposure when he toured with clarinetist Benny Goodman's sextet throughout the 1970's. During the '80's and '90's he toured clubs, festivals and concert halls in North America, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Japan, Germany and the UK with the All-Star Swing Band as well as a Benny Goodman tribute band comprised of Goodman alumni. Currently into his 52nd year as a musician, Appleyard was awarded the Order of Canada in 1992 and is still active as a performer.

These two tracks are from Appleyard's 1976 album Sophisticated Vibes, another Canadian Talent Library disc, recorded at Manta Sound in Toronto. "Tico Tico" is a cover of a really old Brazillian song by Zequinha de Abreu, while "Who Needs It" is a funky Appleyard original. On both, Appleyard is ably supported by unidentified bandmates on drums, horns, flute, organ, guitar and bass.

Who Needs It
Tico Tico