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Peter Martin

Peter Martin is an acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, arranger, educator and entrepreneur.

His touring career has taken him to six continents numerous times and has played in the White House by invitation from The President several times.

Peter Martin performed on and arranged Dianne Reeves’ Grammy®-winning release A Little Moonlight and appeared in George Clooney’s 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck, as well as being the featured pianist and an arranger on the Grammy®-winning soundtrack. Peter has also performed, toured, and recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Betty Carter, Christian McBride, and Joshua Redman, as well as the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.

Peter attended the Juilliard School of Music and has been on the faculties of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Northwestern University, Tulane University, the University of New Orleans and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. He has performed workshops and master classes at institutions worldwide, including Oberlin College, Duke University, the Carnegie Hall Professional Training Workshops, Steinway Piano Gallery, the Rotterdam Conservatory, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow.

In 2015, after launching an successful educational video podcast, 2-Minute Jazz, Martin founded a revolutionary jazz educational web platform, Open Studio, where students from over 120 countries are part of an active community and are continuing to learn from Martin, Dianne Reeves, Fred Hersch, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Romero Lubambo and other artists.Peter Martin is an acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, arranger, educator and entrepreneur.

His touring career has taken him to six continents numerous times and has played in the White House by invitation from The President several times.

Peter Martin performed on and arranged Dianne Reeves’ Grammy®-winning release A Little Moonlight and appeared in George Clooney’s 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck, as well as being the featured pianist and an arranger on the Grammy®-winning soundtrack. Peter has also performed, toured, and recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Betty Carter, Christian McBride, and Joshua Redman, as well as the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.

Peter attended the Juilliard School of Music and has been on the faculties of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Northwestern University, Tulane University, the University of New Orleans and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. He has performed workshops and master classes at institutions worldwide, including Oberlin College, Duke University, the Carnegie Hall Professional Training Workshops, Steinway Piano Gallery, the Rotterdam Conservatory, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow.

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Album Review

Christian McBride: Live at the Village Vanguard

Read "Live at the Village Vanguard" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Bassist Christian McBride records his first live album with his highly-acclaimed quintet known as the Inside Straight, documenting an incredible evening of music on Live At The Village Vanguard. The album showcases outstanding performances from every member of the band. It is McBride's twelfth release on Mack Avenue and it was the Inside Straight quintet that began the bassist's collaboration with Mack Avenue in 2009. After a week-long sold-out debut appearance by the group at New York's jazz club in ...

14
Album Review

Christian McBride & Inside Straight: Live at the Village Vanguard

Read "Live at the Village Vanguard" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic


You may feel a whole lot better about things after checking out Live at the Village Vanguard. Now, without argument or scholarly discourse, that can be said for any of the time honored performances captured under that heady title, but here it's Christian McBride and Inside Straight and seriously, this one has fun written all over it. An instant Top Tenner for 2021. Bassist/educator/advocate, McBride needs no further introduction save to say he has heightened fun into an ...

5
Album Review

Ed "Tenderlonious" Cawthorne: The Piccolo: Tender Plays Tubby

Read "The Piccolo: Tender Plays Tubby" reviewed by Chris May


Saxophonist, flautist and vibraphonist Tubby Hayes, who died at the unconscionably young age of 38 in 1973, was that rare thing among the first generation of British hard boppers—a musician who was taken seriously by the hippest American musicians and audiences. He visited New York in 1961 and 1964 for seasons at the Half Note, and Los Angeles in 1965 for a run at Shelley's Manne-Hole. A passionate player, a gifted composer and a virtuoso on his instruments, Hayes first ...

136
Album Review

Peter Martin: In the P.M.

Read "In the P.M." reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Peter Martin is an intelligent, erudite pianist with a careful and acute ear for composing and arranging. He decided to demonstrate both talents by sneaking into studio with his long time trio mates, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Greg Hutchinson. These three players are hot off a supporting gig with vocalist Dianne Reeves. While primarily a piano trio instrumental recording, In The P.M. does feature up and coming vocalist Erin Bode on three of eleven selections.

In The ...

143
Album Review

Peter Martin: In the P.M.

Read "In the P.M." reviewed by Jim Santella


Known to most as Dianne Reeves' musical director, pianist Peter Martin takes her stellar touring trio on a musical journey through jazz's heartland on In the P.M.; guest vocalist Erin Bode adds a warm and welcome lyricism to the session. Familiar standards and fresh originals turn the trio loose with unbridled energy.

As Martin interprets “Come Rain or Come Shine" a cappella, he turns it up a notch. His keyboard technique takes him all over the place. Elsewhere, ...

212
Album Review

Peter Martin: Something Unexpected

Read "Something Unexpected" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Piano and ...more Piano...

Thirty-year-old New Orleans native Peter Martin is showcased on Something Unexpected, the second release in Max Jazz's Piano Series. To date, there have been three releases in this series. The first was Bruce Barth's superb East and West (Max Jazz 201) and following Peter Martin's contribution was Jessica Williams' outstanding This Side Up (Max Jazz 203). Like the label's vocal series, the piano series highlights a wide range of jazz styles with an emphasis on innovation ...

146
Album Review

Peter Martin: Something Unexpected

Read "Something Unexpected" reviewed by David Adler


Peter Martin, the 30-year-old from New Orleans, is the second pianist (after Bruce Barth) to be showcased on the MaxJazz label’s new piano series. (Interestingly, Bruce Barth is listed along with Martin as a co-producer.) The exciting date was recorded live in St. Louis, and it features a happening quintet in top form. Trumpeter Nicholas Payton shares the frontline with one of jazz’s best-kept secrets, tenor saxophonist Brice Winston; bassist Reginald Veal and drummer Adonis Rose anchor the rhythm section ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Erin Bode, Joe Policastro Trio, "Swing Symphony," Peter Martin, Jeremy Davenport, Dweezil Zappa, and more

Jazz this week: Erin Bode, Joe Policastro Trio, "Swing Symphony," Peter Martin, Jeremy Davenport, Dweezil Zappa, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music features jazz played by a variety of ensembles, from intimate duos and trios to a full symphony orchestra and big band teaming up to present the St. Louis premiere of a large-scale work from trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, May 2 Singer Erin Bode returns to Jazz at the Bistro for the first of two nights of performances, and the weekly “Grand Center Jazz Crawl" will feature ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Cyrus Chestnut; Peter Martin, Brian Owens & Terence Blanchard; and more

Jazz this week: Cyrus Chestnut; Peter Martin, Brian Owens & Terence Blanchard; and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis features a couple of first-call piano players- one visiting, one home-grown- plus the usual assortment of performances in a variety of musical styles from the city's talented contingent of local players. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, January 31 Pianist Cyrus Chestnut returns with his trio for the first of four nights at Jazz at the Bistro. Chestnut has applied his virtuoso technique to all sorts of material ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Peter Martin, Bobby Watson & Angela Hagenbach, Rhys Chatham, and more

Jazz this week: Peter Martin, Bobby Watson & Angela Hagenbach, Rhys Chatham, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's lineup of jazz and creative music performances in St. Louis includes a rare nightclub appearance by a favorite hometown pianist, several noteworthy touring performers, and a rather eclectic selection of tribute shows. Let's go to the highlights.... Wednesday, May 18 Pianist Peter Martin will lead his trio for the first of two nights at Jazz at the Bistro, the first time he's played the room since it was expanded and renovated in 2014. Martin will be joined by ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Yellowjackets, Peter Martin, Dave Bennett, Tatsuya Nakatani, and more

Jazz this week: Yellowjackets, Peter Martin, Dave Bennett, Tatsuya Nakatani, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis offers an album release event from one of the city's favorite homegrown piano players, plus funk and fusion, free improv, cabaret, swing, and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, October 7 The popular fusion band Yellowjackets (pictured, top left) return to St. Louis to begin a four-night stand at Jazz at the Bistro, with a new member, bassist Dane Alderson, as part of the swarm. Alderson, who's ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Peter Martin & Federico González Peña, Byron Stripling, and more

Jazz this week: Peter Martin & Federico González Peña, Byron Stripling, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes a duo concert pairing two prolific pianists, a return visit from a top trumpeter, three different big band performances, and more. Let's go to the highlights... Thursday, February 26 Pianist Kara Baldus, guitarist William Lenihan, and drummer Steve Davis will play a free concert for the Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University, with Wash U provost Holden Thorpe also sitting in on piano. In keeping with the ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Jeff Coffin and the Mu'tet, Peter Martin, Funky Butt Brass Band CD Release, Thollem McDonas, and More

Jazz This Week: Jeff Coffin and the Mu'tet, Peter Martin, Funky Butt Brass Band CD Release, Thollem McDonas, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of jazz and creative music in and around St. Louis includes the Jazz at the Bistro debut of a touring saxophonist who's already built up a nice local following; the release of a new album by some local favorites; shows from several fine piano players; and, as the saying goes, much more. Let's go to the highlights.... Tonight, saxophonist Jeff Coffin and his eclectic jazz-fusion group the Mu’tet will make their debut at Jazz at the Bistro ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Peter Brotzmann Trio, Peter Martin and Vivian Sessoms, Kurt Elling, New Mastersounds, Jamie Cullum, and More

Jazz This Week: Peter Brotzmann Trio, Peter Martin and Vivian Sessoms, Kurt Elling, New Mastersounds, Jamie Cullum, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

It's the first week of a new month, and a very busy one for jazz and creative music in St. Louis, with several noteworthy headliners in town. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, the all-star free jazz trio of saxophonist Peter Brötzmann, drummer Hamid Drake and bassist William Parker (pictured) performs at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. If you have any interest at all in free jazz, this concert is an absolute must-see, as all three of the players are adventurous, ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Bill Charlap and Houston Person, Alarm Will Sound, Peter Martin, so Percussion, Willie Pickens, and More

Jazz This Week: Bill Charlap and Houston Person, Alarm Will Sound, Peter Martin, so Percussion, Willie Pickens, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's menu of jazz and creative music around St. Louis includes performances by three top pianists representing NYC, Chicago and St. Louis, plus local stops for two acclaimed touring new music ensembles, and much more. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, pianist Bill Charlap (pictured) and guest tenor saxophonist Houston Person open an four-night engagement continuing through Saturday at Jazz at the Bistro. Both men have played at the Bistro separately before, but this will be their first time ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: The Wee Trio, Yellowjackets, Ronnie Burrage, Dianne Reeves and Peter Martin, Diana Krall, Ahleuchatistas, and More

Jazz This Week: The Wee Trio, Yellowjackets, Ronnie Burrage, Dianne Reeves and Peter Martin, Diana Krall, Ahleuchatistas, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

It's a jam-packed week for jazz and creative music in St. Louis, so much so that there's no time to even attempt a clever opening paragraph for this post. So let's go straight to the highlights... Tonight, the St. Louis Jazz Orchestra presents “A Tribute to Maynard Ferguson" with guest soloist Jim Manley on trumpet at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Also tonight, The Wee Trio, featuring St. Louis native Dan Loomis on bass, is in town to support the ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Zappa Plays Zappa, Chris Potter Trio, Peter Martin and Romero Lubambo, George Lewis and Marina Rosenfeld, and More

Jazz This Week: Zappa Plays Zappa, Chris Potter Trio, Peter Martin and Romero Lubambo, George Lewis and Marina Rosenfeld, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

It's another busy weekend for jazz and creative music in St. Louis, and with two of the week's headliners in town for performances this evening, there's no time to waste. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, the Frank Zappa repertory group Zappa Plays Zappa, led by FZ's younger, guitar-playing son Dweezil Zappa, returns to St. Louis play at The Pageant. In case you're keeping track, this will be ZPZ's fourth stop at that particular venue since the band was formed in ...

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