PRESS
"The pianist (John) also deserves special mention - his music selection was wonderful and it was a great pleasure to see someone enjoy playing so very much even if for the majority he was mainly background noise. For us, he made the day!" OpenTable.com
"I took my family for dinner here just to see John Watson who is now the musical director and resident pianist in the Palm Court. John is well known as being one of the finest pianists in London. He was resident at the Four Seasons hotel for many years until it also close recently for refurbishment. John plays many other gigs around the country and Europe and its well worth a visit to any establishment when he is playing." OpenTable.com
"And then there is the piano bar, where the incredibly talented John Watson presides. He himself is worth a trip across the Atlantic or from anywhere." tripadvisor.com
"Other plus points; the pianist John Watson, who tinkles away unobtrusively and is very good at picking up on the mood of the evening." FT Arts & Weekend Magazine
"The pianist clearly knew his stuff, and it turned out to be John Watson...a friendly, personable guy, and an excellent pianist with a nice rapport with the diners in the room. Whilst I was contemplating the menu, John played ‘Waltz for Debby,’ ‘Emily,’ and ‘Teach Me Tonight.’ All quality tunes beautifully played. John Watson executed a brilliant chord change in ‘Angel Eyes,’ and his accompaniment throughout was of the highest order. He is a very physical pianist with plenty of head and body movement as the mood takes him whilst playing. John Watson...is quite a find." Crescendo & Jazz Music
"The album has been recorded with three top quality musicians. John Watson does a fine job on piano" 80sEmpire.com/arena
HOTEL GUESTS & MANAGEMENT
"Just a quick note to say thank you so very much for a wonderful performance during our event on Tuesday night. John, your stage presence throughout the evening had everyone talking and buzzing all night, from our hosts to all our guests. WE received so many compliments on finding such talented performers, therefore please accept these, as well as ours. Looking forward to the next event and hope to have you onboard." Mathias Saleborn (Regional Director - The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.)
"John is the ultimate Resident Pianist. I have nothing more than good to say about him. The guests absolutely love him and many came because of him. He was also instrumental in setting up the Dinner Jazz evening in Lanes Restaurant with great success. I would recommend John to anybody a true pleasure to work with!" Richard Raab (Director of Food & Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma)
"It is absolutely astonishing to find a pianist playing in a hotel who is totally into the music – whatever it happens to be – that he is not just playing but performing every moment. Most of them, however talented and well trained, seem to operate on auto-pilot, with nothing new to bring to a standard they’ve played thousands of times before. One is occasionally reminded of this difference when a customer approaches John and speaks to him while he’s playing. The music continues without flaw or fault, but somehow the light goes out of it until he once again is able to return his undivided attention. It’s a light that is seldom if ever there for most players." Kurt
"We thoroughly enjoyed your piano bar in the evenings. John is terrific and so talented." Tom and Deborah
"John did a lot of healing in our lives when he played for us on the piano. Thank you for him." Dr. and Mrs. Northrup
"It is a rare breed of pianist who truly listens to every note he plays in a bar. Count yourself one of the few." Charlotte
"John offered everything we loved in music – brilliant piano, great range of music, and a charming man. My business partner never misses an opportunity to hear John play." Raynette Mitchell
"I really enjoyed your musicianship and appreciated your openness in letting me share the music and sing with you. You really inspired me and after 8 months of not singing it felt good to do that again!" Chris
"I hear nothing but compliments with regard to John’s work here and the way in which he blends in with the Clients and Restaurant guests on the one hand and on the other with the Management and Staff." H.W.Atkinson (Area Controller – Four Seasons Hotel)
"17 years have passed since I came to London but I have decided to go back to Japan. Thanks very much for your kind friendship and excellent piano."
"I speak for all when I write to say how pleased we are with your style, commitment and enthusiasm for our guests and the service you provide." H.W.Atkinson (Area Controller – Four Seasons Hotel)
PRIVATE PARTIES
"Just to say thank you so very very much for playing on Sunday. The weather couldn't have been much worse - but as usual YOU made the party!! You really were terrific." Angie & Graham
"I can never thank you enough for making my mum's birthday such fun. We all had such a wonderful time, you are so brilliant at what you do, and everyone thought you were fantastic." Linda
"Thank you again for all the wonderful music you, Miles and Dave played and sung. Literally everyone who came has been in touch to say how much they enjoyed the evening which was made to perfection by the musical experience that was simply superb!" Andy
"I just wanted to say a big thank you for last weekend. My In-Laws were thrilled at the way the party went and they truly loved your music. You really helped to make it a very special occasion for them. In fact, in all the years I have known my mother-in-law, I have never seen her so at ease and sociable!" Lisa
"How splendid you were! You made the party work seamlessly and with much panache. I will be eternally grateful to you for your kind and generous contribution to a wonderful birthday." Heather
"Just had to tell you how fantastic you are! The party was brilliant because you just get everyone going and play the perfect music at all times! Everyone of our friends said it was the best party they have been to for ages and then added YOU made it! Praise indeed from that lot! Thank you so very much John.......YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!" Lynne and Michael
"Just wanted to thank you for your big contribution to a most successful event. People thought your music was great and you pitched it just right. Thank you as well for pitching all the announcements at the appropriate times. This is something that was most useful as we do not have much experience when it comes to staging this type of events. So, once again many many thanks and we hope we will have the opportunity to meet again in the future and hopefully well before my 70th birthday !!!" Cécile
"Thank you so much for making our party go with such a swing. Everyone had a wonderful time and we have had so many compliments about your wonderful music and singing. Kind regards and many thanks again" Elaine & David
"Thank you for playing at our wedding reception and being part of the celebrations and not just a piano player playing songs on the sidelines - we have received many favourable comments about the music and yourself including comments that you do not use backing tapes and were actually playing the songs and singing and it was all live, I think a few of the guests had never seen a live pianist before, and what a good choice to introduce them to one, also The songs and music played suited the mood of the evening and the event, you certainly are the Master of the Mood."
"We would like to stay in contact so that next year we could attend another of your venues to enjoy some more of your music and appreciate it more than we did on Saturday as we were a bit preoccupied being the bride and groom."
"We take this opportunity to wish you and your family a lovely Christmas and all the best for the New Year including sales of your new CD!" Sandra and Richard
"Just a quick message to thank you once again for yesterday. You played all the right music and really created a brilliant atmosphere at Mark’s party. We were delighted with the way the party went and we have had great feedback on the music, so thank you very much." Laura & Mark
"Thank you for helping to make our silver wedding anniversary a very special occasion. It was a truly fabulous evening and a great time was had by all - all thanks to your efforts and hard work!" Jackie and Simon
"Thank you so much for making our party such fun! All the guests enjoyed the music. How you played continuously for so long I have no idea!" Jenny
"Just to say thank you for last night. You were great. All the kids and adults really enjoyed your music and you made a great atmosphere." Fiona
"John is a wonderful performer and helped to put everyone in a relaxed mood." John (Conference Line)
"Thank you so much for providing the music at our Heads of Department Dinner last Friday. As a DJ, singer, musician, disco and band in one, you did a fantastic job and everybody had a great time." John Stauss (General Manager – Four Seasons Hotel)
"Thank you so very much for all your support, advice and beautiful playing. It’s always a pleasure and also fun working with you." Keely
"The music was enjoyed by everyone at the function and I felt I was dancing to a big band. Well done." Barbara
"Thank You for creating such a lovely atmosphere with your fantastic range of music, it really made the evening go with a swing!" Marilyn and Allan
"Just to say thanks for the excellent job you did on Sunday. The singalong, especially, was a great success and we have had glowing reports from all our guests." Maurice and Paulette
"Just a note to say thank you for turning a Birthday Party into a night to remember. The phone has not stopped ringing with people singing your praises." Robert
"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding...as usual you were fantastic." Ben & Laura
RECORDINGS & VIDEOS
"Bought ‘Master of the Mood’ at the pizza place on the night !! Fantastic !!! Such talent and so playable. Just keep on keepin' on" Andrea
"I have only just had the chance to listen to your cd on i tunes....... it was beautiful!" Tina
"Your new CD is just amazing." Alessia (Warner Music Italy)
"Your CDs have been a pleasure to produce; you play so wonderfully, both Chris and I have enjoyed your CD immensely. I hope you sell them with the speed with which they deserve." Nicki (CP Studios)
"Have only just viewed the video. Stephen and I both thought it was excellent and look forward to hearing you play it "live" sometime - very atmospheric piece. Well done! PS Were we included in "the usual suspects" in the lyrics?!!!" Angela
"I had much pleasure watching your new video of Master of the Mood which is my all-time favourite and which I play as often as I am able. I am very much interested in all your goings-on and just love to click onto your website and read the latest news. Just know that, far, far away in the not-so frozen North of America (it is Spring, after all!), there are two very devoted fans who just smile away and scat away every time we play your CD. Continued great success, dear friend." Heather
"We just wanted to thank you for all your help with our choir’s recording." Nash Mills School Choir
MUSICIANS
"Just a note to say thank you again for Friday. The arrangements were excellent, the choice of repertoire spot-on - it was just perfect!" Sean Gray (Josef Weinberger Ltd. - publisher)
"Many thanks for playing at the Savoy for us. You did a fine job as usual." Mitch Murray (songwriter)
"Thank you John for your contribution as a musician/arranger, for the work you put in and for wearing both guest and muso hats on the day." Michael Lindup (Level 42)
"Many thanks John – it was a great success!" Bruce Welch (The Shadows)
"Hi John it was a pleasure working with you on "Master of the Mood"...It sounds fantastic!!! Told you it was gonna sound good!!!" Miles Danso
"Thank you for your special contribution…..your preparation makes all the difference." Ricki Wilde (songwriter)
"Thank you for all your help and support." Leee John
"I didn’t get a chance to thank you for your contribution to what everybody agrees was a great Ladies Night." Graham Gouldman (10cc)
"Really delighted with your musicianship and performance." Gina (manager of Leee John)
CHARITIES
"Just wanted to say a big thank you for all that you did to help us at our 30th Anniversary ‘do’…..we really appreciated all you did." Ella (Celebrities Guild of Great Britain)
"thanks for helping to create such a wonderful evening at our Annual Ball last Saturday…..as usual you did us proud." Bobath Functions Committee
"I can’t thank you enough for giving your time to our event." Simon (Jeans for Genes)
"John you are a very special person and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving your time and your voice to such a worthwhile cause." Lynne (Chai Centre)
"I should like to thank you most sincerely on behalf of myself and all the committee and all the guests at the function last Sunday for the excellent music and singing." Barbara (Anonymous Seven)