Father & Son by Richard & Peter John Stoltzman

PETER JOHN STOLTZMAN,

PIANIST

He has been called "a monster jazz piano player" by the late Jack Elliot, music director of the Mancini Institute and the Grammy Awards. The Boston Globe's Richard Dyer observed, "In percussive and strongly rhythmical passages, the forward momentum pours out his hands from his whole body, but he can also play dreamily, and he can even play straight." Grammy-nominated pianist Kenny Werner calls Peter's music "sweet and sophisticated. Top shelf!"

A student of William Thomas McKinley, Joanne Brackeen, Charlie Banacos and Bob Brookmeyer (and many others), Peter John graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance from Berklee College of Music in 1999. After Berklee, Peter lived in New York City for two years, where he recorded and performed with many artists and bands including Cuban saxophonist Yosvany Terry, drummer Deantoni Parks and Kudu, and rapper Jah Dan and Noble Society.

In 2003, Peter independently released a 3-CD package of all original music, available though his website www.peterstoltzman.com. The title track, "Cycles," was a finalist for the 2005 Independent Music Awards. 2005 recording plans include the release of Peter's solo piano CD, a jazz trio recording of his most recent compositions, and a father and son CD of piano and clarinet repertoire.

Peter has performed with his father, 2 time Grammy-winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, in American and international music venues and festivals, including the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall. Other events with his father include Young Audiences residencies, concerts in London, Denmark, Italy, and Japan, radio features on WNYC, Sirius Satellite Radio, and NPR, and a TV special on CBS Sunday Morning.

Peter John's "Family Trio," has been performed by his own family trio with his father Richard (clarinet), and mother Lucy (violin) in American concert halls and on WGBH, Boston's NPR radio station. His piano playing and arrangements also are featured on his father's RCA releases, WorldBeat Bach and Lamento.

In May 2004, Peter John earned his Master's Degree in Jazz Composition with Academic Honors and Distinction in Performance, along with a Concentration in Music in Education from New England Conservatory. In June, he married his fiancée of two years, Eleanor Gray. They live together outside of Boston, where Peter teaches private lessons in his home, and music classes at a Waldorf High School.

Peter also maintains a steady performance schedule in 2005, in concert halls, festivals, music clubs and institutions around the world with his father, with the American Music Award-winning funk-rock band

The Bomb Squad - www.bombsquadonline.com - and with the inspirational instrumental group Waking Vision - www.wakingvision.com.

Peter was a faculty member of the Stanford Jazz Workshop from 1996 to 2003. There he worked alongside greats like McCoy Tyner and Benny Green, and offered his unique class entitled "The Inner Experience of the Musician."

In addition to being a music teacher, pianist/keyboardist, singer/songwriter and composer/arranger, Peter is a hopeful participant in the active movement towards peace and the celebration of life everywhere.

Average Customer Review: