May 2026 will be a significant month for Pete Cater, as the acclaimed British jazz drummer releases his new EP West Side Story and performs live under The Great Drum Show banner. The EP is scheduled for digital release on May 1st, 2026, adding another important recording to Cater’s extensive musical career.
West Side Story was recorded in a school hall during the summer break, a setting that might seem unexpected for a professional jazz release. Yet the EP delivers a rich, polished sound and features a strong line-up of musicians. The project demonstrates Cater’s ongoing commitment to high standards and his willingness to take creative routes outside conventional studio practice.
Cater’s background has long been rooted in jazz. Born in Staffordshire in 1963, he was inspired by his father, a semi-professional drummer, and began performing live at a young age. His later move to London at 29 helped establish the foundation for a career marked by independence, resilience and a refusal to compromise on musical quality.
The Great Drum Show will give audiences two chances to see Cater live shortly after the EP release. He will perform at Pizza Express in Soho on May 17th and at the Concorde Club in Eastleigh on May 20th. These gigs are expected to showcase the energy, control and authority that have made Cater such a respected live performer.
With awards and recognition behind him, including honours from the British Jazz Awards and the Radio 2 National Big Band Contest, Pete Cater remains a vital presence in contemporary jazz. West Side Story and the upcoming May concerts show an artist still evolving, still performing with intensity, and still committed to the music that first inspired him in childhood.