Music
Press
"You and your band were the highlight of my weekend. I walked into that place and instantly felt at home. I can't wait to see you play again." - Shel "Charlie Girl" Bailey, 97.1 Charlie FM
Keep Your Hat On, Pete Petersen and the Porkpie Sextet.
Get ready for some swinging, down the center of the groove, well-paced, scintillating straight ahead jazz and bop from a Portland cat who writes and plays in the best of the tradition. Pete Petersen’s original compositions breathe, giving all players room to cook up energetic solos. His arranging has been compared to that of stalwarts like Marty Paich, Neal Hefti, Sammy Nestico and Frank Foster, although all those cats wrote mainly for big bands. In the case of Petersen, the writing is for a sextet that flows with such enthusiasm that they often sound more like a big band. Each original is a distinct, solid little adventure and all comers contribute mightily. In addition to Petersen’s spirited tenor, the sextet includes Brian Dickerson, alto sax; Greg Garrett, trumpet and flugelhorn; Ben Medler, trombone; Brian Ward, piano; Andre St. James, bass; and drum chores split between Ed Pierce and Donny Osborne. The two familiar tunes are “Falling In Love With Love” and Ray Brown’s “Uptown Sop.” The other seven tunes are Petersen’s own, and every one of them rings out with the joy of playing the real deal.
Pony Boy Records, 2007, 47:38. - George Fendel, JSO JazzScene CD Review
Oh, that creamy, dreamy music to sigh by, where did it all go: Hold on to your hats, ladies and gents because that music all ran and hid in the new CD release, Keep Your Hat On, by Pete Petersen and the Porkpie Septet.
This CD opens with a (Charlie) Parkeresque boogie, Keep Your Hat On, that is quick, smooth and mellow! It’s wonderful.
All of these tunes are beautifully arranged, with the closed chords using jazz-oriented alternates. What’s on paper is only the beginning of a tune. First, you have to find people who actually want to perform this music in this style. Then you have to find the ones whose technique and experience support this ability on their instrument. Sometimes the soul is willing but the flesh is weak. Then treat them real nice.
The opening cut, Keep Your Hat On (for which the CD is named), composed by Petersen, is a fun and authentic demonstration of how many instruments can blend together so well that they sound like one.
Of the two tunes that Petersen did not compose, Uptown Sop by Ray Brown is delightful. It features André St. James talking to you on the bass.
Ordinarily, hearing certain music makes this writer want to jump up and play, but a listen to the first number on this CD makes one want to go home and practice some more…a LOT more!
Number six, La Tentación, is a Latin-style tune that articulates the Latin beat with grace and humor. All the tunes, while serious as quicksand, impart warmth and humor resulting in a shared intimacy with the listener. It’s like you are saying, “Yes, yes. That’s right. Mmm Hmm.”
It’s tempting to list and describe all the tunes but that would not do any of them justice. You have to buy the CD and see the band in person to prove to yourself that it really is them.
Pete Petersen plays tenor and baritone sax (wait for it!); Bryan Dickerson plays alto sax; Greg Garrett plays trumpet and flugelhorn; Ben Medler is on trombone; Brian Ward on piano; Andre St. James is on bass; with Ed Pierce and Donny Osborne splitting up the numbers on drums.
Keep Your Hat On is produced by Stan Bock, Pete Petersen and Four Flavors Music. Visit the website at www.petepetersen.com. The label is PonyBoy Records, www.ponyboyrecords.com. If you listen to any samples on the web pages, you will become hungry for the whole dish.
This writer enjoyed the CD immensely, and will likely keep it handy, especially for the times when even the soul is weak. - Positively Entertainment magazine (CD Review)
Petersen's an accomplished player. He has a big, throaty tone and a blowzy, swashbuckling style with the conversational touch of old-time sax players." - Paul de Barros, Seattle Times Jazz Critic - Seattle Times
"This group, their arrangements, and musical choices are a big band at its best."
--- Mary Burlingame-producer/host, Home Grown Live
www.kmhd.fm - KMHD 89.1 FM The Jazz Station
Porkpie plays spirited, with enthusiasm and like they're having fun with it. Throwing in a novelty tune like "Hey Pete" just has to help the image. Their music book has some great stuff obviously. You can't go wrong with the Basie charts for sure. Their album is a must have in my collection. - Tim "Java Man" Taylor, KMHD 89.1 FM the Jazz Station - KMHD 89.1 FM The Jazz Station
After last night they're EASILY my favorite band in the northwest. The amount of energy they put into that room was incredible. I've just never heard a band that good playing so many classic swing tunes.. and the muted trombone! .. and Warm Valley! (I've never even heard a DJ play that, much less a band!) .. and so many great classic tunes like Don't Be That Way and Shorty George and Air Mail Special.
-Kevin, Eugene, OR
(www.swingout.net) - www.swingout.net
Great fantastic stupendous show. Please please tell the rest of the guys how much we enjoyed the music. In case you couldn't tell, we REALLY enjoyed the music. REALLY!!!
-Amy, Seattle, WA - via e-mail:
Porkpie was like having our own Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at the Viscount. Some of these songs were the best versions I've ever heard performed anywhere. I'd never heard a band perform "Song of India" anywhere before.
-Scott, Portland OR - Via e-mail:
Discography
**Pete Petersen and the Porkpie Septet: Keep Your Hat On** (2008, Pony Boy Records PB50157-2)
**Porkpie: Hats Off** (2004, Four Flavors Music) contains 11 hard-swinging songs, a blend of originals and classic swing tunes such as Lionel Hampton's Flyin' Home and Lester Young's Tickle Toe. The majority of standards on the album have been given fresh treatment, with original arrangements that spark a sense of humor as well as the urge to dance. Witness the ballad "As Time Goes By", here performed as an up-tempo samba, or "Nature Boy" done in a style reminiscent of a certain 1950's courtroom-drama TV show theme.
**Howard Crosby: Pennies From Heaven** (2002, PanJanDrum) Contains several jazz standards that were originally made famous by Howard's uncle, the legendary Bing Crosby. Music on the album was arranged and performed by Pete Petersen and members of Porkpie.
**Lily Wilde: Insect Ball** (2000, Lil Tom Tom) Members of Porkpie backing vocalist Lily Wilde. Awarded "Album of the Year" in 2000 by Swingtop40.com.
**Pete Petersen: Silver Lining** (1998, Four Flavors) Pete's debut as a leader - features bassist Frank de la Rosa, former bassist for Ella Fitzgerald.
Photos
Bio
The Porkpie ensemble is a 7-piece "little big band" consisting of 4 horns plus rhythm section. The band's repertoire consists of a blend of hard-swinging originals and jazz standards that succeeds in sounding both nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
The band is dedicated to performing a style of music that originated in the lush musical landscape of Kansas City in the 1930s -- a scene that gave rise to legends like Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing, and of course the band's namesake Lester Young. The band's sound is part Big Band, part small combo, blended with the energy and vibrance of musicians who realize the great truth that the original jazz musicians were the rock stars of their day. Those early jazzers played every note with conviction, every phrase with attitude. Their music was not intended to be a museum piece or a teaching tool, it was intended to make people get up and dance and enjoy it. The blend of arrangements and original compositions by the Porkpie Septet stay true to this ideal, entertaining the masses with a blend of jazz, swing, blues and bebop that is sure to put a smile on every face and get every foot tappin'.
The Porkpie Septet has recently released a new CD, "Keep Your Hat On" on Pony Boy Records.
Pete Petersen spent his formative years in Boise, Idaho, listening from around the corner to hear pianist Gene Harris playing in a nightclub that he was too young to get into at the time. He cut his musical teeth in Denver, Colorado, earning a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music while sitting in with local greats such as Ron Miles, Bruno Carr, Paul Romaine, and Rich Ciarralucce in local clubs at night. While in Colorado he was a member of groups that were finalists in the prestigious Hennessey™ Jazz Search for two consecutive years. In 1994 he was featured with the band Page IV backing up vocalist Kevin Mahogany on NPR's nationally-syndicated JazzSet program. Since relocating to Portland, Oregon in 1995, he has worked his way to the top of the city's renowned jazz scene. As a sideman, he has performed with a veritable "Who's who" of jazz and swing notables from up and down the west coast, including Bay Area boogie-woogie pianist Mitch Woods, blues singer Ellen Whyte, Grammy-nominated saxophone sensation Patrick Lamb, swing bandleader Solomon Douglas, vocalist Lily Wilde, and many more. In the "Beyond Jazz" category, he has worked as a sideman in horn sections for top national and international stars including southern rock supergroup Lynyrd Skynyrd. As a leader, his group, the Porkpie Septet, has hit the national stage, playing jazz and swing festivals in Seattle, Denver, Chicago, and beyond. He has also been featured as a solo performer at jazz festivals throughout the region.
Pete Petersen proudly endorses Audix microphones and sound equipment.
For more info: please go to www.petepetersen.com
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