By 2017, he was leading his own quartet featuring pianist John Critchinson, bassist Alec Dankworth and drummer Clark Tracey, as well as appearing with bands led by other leaders including Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra.
He has also acted as a compere at jazz festivals and appears in the anchor interview role in the 2015 documentary film Tubby Hayes: A Man In A Hurry.
In his late teens, Spillett began to sit in at local jazz venues, appearing with saxophonists Dick Morrissey, Art Themen, Spike Robinson and Duncan Lamont among others.
During the early 2000s he played gigs with, among others, saxophonists Peter King and Alan Skidmore, trumpeter Steve Waterman, guitarist John Etheridge and vocalist Tina May.
In 2013, Spillett was part of the co-operative band 'Standard Miles' also featuring trumpeter Henry Lowther, pianist John Critchinson, bassist Dave Green and drummer Trevor Tomkins.
Featuring Mike Carr, John Pearce, Len Skeat, Danny Moss Junior and Martin Drew, these sessions remain unissued.
Spillett is the anchor interviewee in the 2015 documentary film Tubby Hayes: A Man In A Hurry, written by Mark Baxter, directed by Lee Cogswell, produced by Paul Weller and with narration by actor Martin Freeman.
Spillett's primary influence on the tenor saxophone is often cited as Tubby Hayes, although in interviews he has credited John Coltrane as his all-time favourite saxophonist.
[5][6] He has also named Ronnie Scott, Sonny Rollins, Dick Morrissey, Hank Mobley, Ben Webster, Stan Getz and Alan Skidmore as inspirations.
In 2006, he co-authored the autobiography of Vic Ash I Blew It My Way and musicians including Alan Skidmore, Kenny Wheeler and Stan Tracey have commissioned him to write notes for their albums.
In 2008,The Little Giant, a 4-CD compilation of Tubby Hayes work assembled by Spillett for the Properbox label, won Best Reissue in the British Jazz Awards.