Peter King
(Alto, Tenor and Soprano Saxes. Composer and Arranger)
PETER KING, in the words of one critic, "the finest alto saxophonist that Britain has ever produced, and one of the finest in the world today" (Dave Gelly, 'The Giants of Jazz', Aurum Press, 1986), has been a major influence on the British Jazz scene ever since he played, (at the age of eighteen!), the opening of RONNIE SCOTT'S, London's internationally famous jazz Mecca.
"Had Ronnie Scott's Club died over night and been heard of no more it could still have justified its existence by pointing to a discovery like Peter King." (Benny Green, 'Jazz Decade, ten years at Ronnie Scott's', King's Road Publishing Ltd. 1969).
"A wonderful musician ...PETER KING of course is a master of his instrument. People are aware of that here ..(In America), .. as well as in England". (ELVIN JONES, 'Jazz U.K. Sept 2001).
Although he now concentrates on his work as a solo artist and with his regular Quartet, Peter has worked and with such legends as Bud Powell, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Milt Jackson, Lalo Schifrin, Frank Foster's 'new' Count Basie Band and the Ray Charles Orchestra. He has also recorded with Hampton Hawes, Al Haig, Philly Joe Jones, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and many others, including Red Rodney, who said this of Peter.. "He's got that natural growl in his playing -yet he's soft and beautiful when he wants to be."
Peter has also worked with many great singers, such as Ernestine Anderson, Joe Williams, Anita O'Day, and made albums with Jon Hendricks and Jimmy Witherspoon. He has also accompanied artists as diverse as Tony Bennett, Marlene Dietrich, James Brown and Lauren Bacall. King is also known for his recorded work with the pop group, 'Everything but the Girl' and as featured soloist and Musical Director of the Charlie Watts Quintet. Peter can also be seen in films such as 'Blue Ice' starring Michael Caine and the new hit movie, 'The Talented Mr. Ripley', staring Mat Damon and directed by the Oscar winning Anthony Minghella. Peter also can also be heard playing on Mike Figgis' film 'Time Code' particularly over the opening titles.
As a featured performer, Peter has long been a favorite of European jazz festival audiences, including, in FRANCE (Marciac, with Phil Woods, Bobby Watson, Cedar Walton, and Victor Lewis; in addition to festivals in Nice, Paris, etc.), BELGIUM (Comblain le Tour, Liege, Bilzen, and Gouvi), SPAIN (Bilbao, San Sabastian, etc.), FINLAND (Pori), and NORWAY (Molde, as at Pori, with John Hicks and Idris Muhammad). Peter has been a special guest of Lalo Schifrin with various Symphony Orchestras at concerts in Germany and Switzerland and joined him in Israel for a concert in January 2000 with the Israeli Philharmonic.
There have also been several appearances at the Berlin Jazz Festival, including a concert with Phil Woods and Jackie McLean. Phil was a special guest with Peter's Quintet at the Glasgow Festival, as was Johnny Griffin, who joined them in a special appearance at the Cork Festival (Ireland). The later featured a string section, for which Peter did all the writing. Additionally, Peter was the only non-American artist invited to perform at the Gem Theatre in Kansas City during a week of celebrations in honour of Charlie Parker in March 1999.
In the summer of 1999, Peter played and performed his first 'ACTING' role in the Julian Barry play 'LENNY'. The work involved being on stage throughout the play and acting in several small scenes, as well as his leading a searing bop group of jazz all stars. Directed by Sir Peter Hall and with Eddy Izzard in the title roll, LENNY is about the life of Lenny Bruce and received rave reviews when it opened in London's West End. In March 2000 he toured with Benny Golson and his tribute band, 'ROOTS'.
A prolific composer and arranger, his most ambitious work to date is probably "Janus", a BBC commission, featuring his own Quartet and the "Lyric String Quartet". He has many albums to his name, including 'Tamburello' (which won the Best CD of the Year prize at the 'BT British Jazz Awards'. Other winners include Wynton Marsalis.) Peter's latest project is a full length three act Opera He received much encouragement from Sir Peter Hall and Julian Barry, who is writing the libretto.
In the Autumn of 2001 Peter went on the road again with the new Charlie Watts Tentette, for which he wrote several arrangements and shares the role of Leader,. As well as playing two weeks at Ronnie Scott's, the band played at the Blue Note in Tokyo and New York. In October 2002 Peter visited Russia for an extensive and highly successful solo tour.
A SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
"NEW BEGINNING", (Spotlite)
"EAST 34TH STREET", (Spotlite)
"PETER KING QUINTET", (Spotlite)
"BROTHER BERNARD", (Miles Music)
"PETER KING IN PARIS", (Blue Silver)
"HIGH FLY", (Spotlite)
"CRUSADE", (Blanco y Negro/W.E.A.)
"TETE MONTOLIU" Featuring Peter King, (Fresh Sounds)
"A TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE: PARKER (WITH STRINGS)" (The Charlie Watts Quintet), (Continuum Records)
"WARM AND TENDER" (The Charlie Watts Quintet), (Continuum Records)
"LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY" (The Charlie Watts Quintet), (Virgin)
“BIG BLUES” (Jimmy Witherspoon), (JSP)
"TAMBURELLO", (Miles Music)
"SPEED TRAP" (Live at Ronnie Scott's)
(Peter King Quintet), (Ronnie Scott's Jazz House)
“THE GEORGE COLMAN QUINTET” (Live at Ronnie Scott's) (Ronnie Scott's Jazz House)
“LUSH LIFE!” (Miles Music)
"FOOTPRINTS" (Miles Music) released June 2003
"JANUS" (Miles Music) released November 2006