John Grimaldi

John Grimaldi (25 May 1955 – 12 December 1983) was a British musician, songwriter, and visual artist.

He was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England.

Grimaldi was educated at St Albans School, where he developed his songwriting, electric jazz, and visual art.

His career was focused on jazz, although he played in other genres.

Grimaldi and Mark Pasterfield set up a school band called Motiffe in 1970.

Grimaldi played guitar; Pasterfield became the drummer; Dave Shackley played bass; and Ian Wilson, Quentin Bryar, and Steve Bellingham played keyboard.

Bellingham left in 1971, and Mick Avery then joined on keyboard.

(1972)

Grimaldi became interested in music after he joined his school's orchestra in his early teenage years.

While in the school orchestra, he learned to play stringed instruments and write music.

In early 1972, they had a support slot to the Electric Light Orchestra; shortly after, they were recorded live in St Albans School by Deroy; 100 copies of the album were produced.

(1972 – 1974)

In 1972, there was conflict within Motiffe regarding what and how much the band should play.

John Grimaldi and Dave Shackley started a new band named Flux, aiming to become professional.

Neil Chapman (drums) and Phil Hawkins (keyboard) made up the rest of the band.

Flux played live and recorded music but nothing was ever released.

In late 1972, Chapman left, to be replaced by Charlie Chandler from Hemel Hempstead on drums; Dave Punshon (keyboard) left St Albans band Babe Ruth to join Flux.

Richard Blanchard, a flautist, saxophonist, and vocalist from Pinner, joined.

The band played in 100 clubs, including the Marquee Club.

Flux recorded a demo for EMI at Manchester Square, but were not signed.

Punshon left to live with the Divine Light Movement and was replaced by circuit musician Zoë Kronberger (keyboard).

Chandler left to rebuild antique furniture and was replaced by circuit musician Nick Monas (drums).

Blanchard, who was also a professional photographer, left to focus on his photography work and to pursue other music opportunities.

He was replaced by circuit pro Jon Gifford (flute/saxophone).

A vinyl LP of a Flux live gig at St Albans City Hall in 1973 was released on Seelie Court Records (cat. no. SCLP005) in 2020.

The line-up was Grimaldi (guitar), Dave Punshon (keyboards), Richard Blanshard (saxophone, flute, and vocals), Dave Shackley (bass), and Charlie Chandler (drums).

Kronberger and Monas eventually left in mid-1974.

Soon afterward, Grimaldi joined Argent, resulting in Flux folding in late 1974.

(1974 – 1975) In 1974, Russ Ballard left Argent; Grimaldi and John Verity joined the band to replace him.

Their entry into the band was partly due to their being from the same town and school as Rod Argent, the band's founder.

Grimaldi was involved in their albums Circus and Counterpoints, contributing to the album artwork as well as the music.

He also played with at the Roundhouse in 1975.

When the band stopped touring in 1975, John left to organize the John Grimaldi Band.

(1975 – 1976)

The John Grimaldi Band turned into Captain Sussex, a jazz rock band.

Grimaldi played withlaying with John Giblin (bass, vocals), Mick Parker (keyboard), and Preston Heyman (drums).

Coming out of Captain Sussex came Cheap Flights.

This band went through three major versions but was firmly planted in the jazz rock genre.

(1976 – 1977)

Grimaldi formed several bands and wrote and performed until his death from multiple sclerosis in 1983.