His sparse and angular music had a lightness and playfulness to it, and he would sometimes dance at the piano while his colleagues were playing. He is one of only five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of Time magazine.

Charles Mingus (whose centenary is this year) played the double bass, with a career spanning three decades and collaborations with other jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Herbie Hancock. One of his best known compositions, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat was sung by Joni Mitchell on an album she made which was dedicated to his music.

Pete Canter has recorded several albums which have been very well received, and played at major UK festivals including the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Teignmouth Jazz Festival, Bude Jazz Festival and Exeter Vibraphonic.