John Leslie, accordionist, teacher, composer, administrator, adjudicator, and proprietor of Accordions of London, passed away peacefully on September 27th after a long illness. On September 22nd John had married Jilly, his long-time companion.

John Leslie, born in Wales on September 1st 1935, studied the accordion with Eddie Harris in London until the age of 18, and became a full time professional accordionist at the age of 20, recording and broadcasting for the BBC and many record companies. John first performed on TV when he was 12 years old, appearing in the ‘Picture Page’ program, and with Peter Brough on ‘Educating Archie’.

As well as his accordion business interests with Accordions of London, John Leslie was a very accomplished player, heard on several radio and TV advertisements.  For 14 years John was the accordionist/arranger with Jules Rubin and the Latinairs, and made many recordings with them.

John Leslie was a most accomplished teacher with many pupils winning accordion championship titles including a noteable 2nd place by Edward Hession at the 1981 Coupe Mondiale in Kansas City.

John was also the father of eight children, some of whom have become excellent accordionists and represented the UK. 

He has composed music, including pieces for the Guildhall accordion examinations, and has conducted many workshops and master classes at festivals such as Caister and at St Audries Bay, where he was always willing to share his considerable knowledge of music and the accordion.

Internationally, John Leslie regularly represented the UK, adjudicating at the CIA Coupe Mondiale international competitions, his first time being in Vichy, France, in 1973, and subsequently in many countries throughout the world. John Leslie was also a long serving member of the CIA Music Committee until 2006.

In 1983/84 he was Chairman of the National Accordion Organisation of the UK.

John Leslie’s contribution to the accordion, both in the UK and internationally was very considerable and of great length.