Peter White
@ the PizzaExpress Jazz Club
Review 1 November 2005 (photography 2005 - 2010)

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Biography

Peter White was born in Luton, England in 1954 and raised in the nearby peaceful town of Letchworth Garden City. Encouraged by his father, White became interested in music from an early age. Like many youngsters of that era he started playing the recorder and the piano, but didn’t stop there. His lessons would expand to the guitar, clarinet, cornet, trombone and violin.

“I was about 8 when I first started playing the guitar”, White recalls. “I learned by putting my fingers in different positions on the strings and listening to how it sounded. I always liked the low strings and that’s all I played for the first few months”.

White was influenced by many giants of music of the time, such as Jethro Tull, Cream, Led Zeplin and Jimi Hendrix. White was further mesmerised by Eric Clapton after watching the Cream farewell concert on television.

“I was hooked. I thought that perhaps I could be just like Clapton! I had more work to do. I tried to learn every note that he ever played, including the magnificent solo in “Crossroads”. All five verses. I also started letting my hair grow long, as all rock musicians had long hair at that time”.

In 1974 at the age of 19, White got his first professional break, playing at a holiday resort in the south of England. At the time White was content with playing karaoke classics such as “Tie a Yellow Ribbon”… and getting paid.
The opportunity to actually play music in a band and greater independence was also a great attraction.

White’s next venture was with the psychedelic Principal Edwards’ Magic Theatre group in London. This would prove to be a brief gig, as the band went their separate ways soon after he joined. Nothing is wasted, White used this opportunity to settle in London. His practise on piano at an early age would soon pay off. After a phone call from Al Stewart’s manager, White was recruited to play in Stewart’s band as a keyboard player. White would later provide guitar, as well as keyboard backup, specifically on the “Year of The Cat” album. Such exposure to the world of recording and international touring would prove invaluable experience.

In 1977 White relocated to California and was part of Stewart’s newly formed group Shot In The Dark. The group managed to release one album before their record company (RSO) fell bankrupt.

White joined his brother (Danny) who formed the group Matt Bianco. Together with vocalist (Basia), the band toured extensively and sold millions of albums worldwide.

Throughout the late 1980’s White gained further valuable experience performing and recording with artists such as Bernie Leadon (from the Eagles), Johnny Rivers, Tori Amos, Janis Ian and Susanna Hoffs (Bangles).

In 1990 at the age of 35, White released his first solo album “Reveillez-Vous”.
The popularity of this album soon grew with regular airplay on selective radio stations.

In 1995 White joined Richard Elliot, Warren Hill and Craig Chaquico on the very first “Guitars & Saxes” tour. He continues to play an integral part of the tour line up to this day. White has collobarted with many world leading artists such as George Benson, Christopher Cross, Gato Barbieri, Gerald Albright,
Rick Braun, Chris Botti, Paul McCartney and the late Freddie Mercury.
This list continues to grow.

Review (1 November 2005)

White drives forward a bright contemporary voice on guitar, which translates well from C D format into live performance. This came as no real surprise, but what did surprise me was his repertoire. White not only offered many of his own sweet melodic compositions – he also let it be known that he can ‘swing it’ with his own renditions of The Isley’s “Who’s That Lady, or upping the tempo to heavier material such as The Temptations “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”. Saxophonist Jaared had already turned my head nearly 360 degrees with his delightful airy vocals on Brenda Russell’s “She’s In Love” (made famous by Christopher Cross) earlier in the set. To hear Jaared and Peter White funk it up on The Temps’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” was electrifying.

Both White and Jaared not only reached out and touched their audience musically from the small Pizza Express stage - they both physically stepped down from the stage to get up close and personal with many surprised individuals. The ladies loved it!

I was so impressed with Jaared’s vocals during this set that I felt compelled to question him later regarding possible further vocal input, or collaborations with other artists. He replied humbly:

“It was Peter who first asked me to sing in the band after hearing me ‘vocally mimic’ the saxophone during a practise session. I don’t really consider myself as a vocalist. I am a saxophonist first and foremost!”

White carries a humble presence on and off stage. This presence can lead the listener into a false sense of ‘smooth jazz security’. Yes White’s guitar is smooth to the ears, but he never fails to bring a fresh ray of light to every composition he touches. Tonight he seemed determined to prove to his audience that there was much more to him than the ‘smooth jazz label’, which seems to follow him through the doors of most jazz venues. With the addition of Jareed’s eclectic unpredictable energy and wit - he certainly came close!

Desert Island Discs

Which 2 albums would you take with you to a desert island?

Peter White
Pat Metheny - Secret Story
Mozart - Symphonies No.40 & 41

Jaared
Bob James & David Sanborn - Double Vision
The Doors - (any album)

Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd.