Peter Lay

Pete Lay, drummer, bandleader, promoter, and longtime editor of Just Jazz magazine, died September 7, 2025 at age 78. A central figure in Britain’s traditional-jazz community, Lay led Pete Lay’s Gambit Jazzmen, a Surrey-based New Orleans style outfit that played clubs and festivals across the UK and on the continent.

Beyond the bandstand, Lay’s editorial stewardship of Just Jazz helped sustain the country’s trad-jazz network, documenting UK bands, venues, and fans while keeping an eye on events in the US. Just Jazz is the only comparable magazine to The Syncopated Times in its tight focus on traditional jazz.

With his wife Heather Lay, he produced popular jazz “breaks” and weekenders, including the Warner Jazz Breaks, the Winter Jazz Party, and festival residencies that drew listeners from around the UK. His death came during one of these events.

As a sideman, Lay worked with Ken Colyer, first as a deputy and later as a full member over four years, and with Bill Brunskill’s Jazzmen. He was a frequent visitor to New Orleans, making friends and music with Chris Tyle’s Silver Leaf Jazz Band. As a drummer his focus was on crisp, unshowy timekeeping and devotion to ensemble feel.