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Peter O'Mara

Born in Sydney, Australia in 1957. Early Studies at Academy of the Guitar under George Golla, Sydney Conservatorium as well as jazz clinics under Aebersold, Dave Liebman, Randy Brecker, John Scofield & Hal Galper.

Professional work around Australia 1976-81. Prizewinner for Jazz Composition 1980 & 1982, awarded by the NSW Jazz Action Society. First record album "Peter O´Mara" released 1980, receiving widespread critical acclaim. Awarded the "Don Banks Memorial Fellowship" for overseas study. 1981 studies in New York under Liebman, Scofield, Roland Hanna, Jimmy Raney & Attila Zoller.

Moved to Munich, Germany in late 1981 and has since worked with many musicians on the European Jazz scene including... Kenny Wheeler, Jon Christensen, Joe Nay, Maria Joao, Uli Beckerhoff, John Marshall,John Taylor, Anders Jormin, Adelhard Roidinger, Randy Brecker, Rainer Brüninghaus, David Friedman, Peter Herbolzheimer, Charlie Mariano, Benny Bailey, Robben Ford, Mike Nock, Albert Manglesdorf, Ack van Rooyen, Herman Breuer, Johnny Griffin...

1982-90 "Sundial" trio with US bassist Wayne Darling & drummer Billy Elgart, which recorded 3 albums (South German Radio Record of the Week 1987) as well as three tours & CD with Kenny Wheeler as guest. Festival appearances in Cologne, Munich, Vienna, Aachen, Zurich as well as numerous European tours.

1989 CD release on ENJA Records "Avenue U", featuring Joe Lovano, Dave Holland, Adam Nussbaum & Roberto Di Gioia. The French Jazz Magazine called it " a thoroughly passionate recording" and Peter " a glorious player, truly a discovery!"

He joined Klaus Doldinger´s "Passport" in 1990 and has toured Europe a number of times with this group, as well as South Africa in 1995. Their 1991 release "Blues Roots" featured Texas Blues singer/guitarist Johnny Copeland The group performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1993 & 1995.

In Jan 1991 Peter toured Australia with pianist Mike Nock as well as recording the CD "Kuranda", released in Europe on ITM. This tour was followed up again in 1993. From 1991 on Munich-based quartet "Cross Rhythms" performing at many festivals, clubs & radio recordings. CD released in 1994 on Jazz-4-Ever Records. Widespread critical acclaim for this group. 1992 CD "Stairway" on ENJA records, featuring Russell Ferrante, Anthony Jackson, Tony Lakatos, Alex Acuna & Tom Brechtlein, recorded in Los Angeles at Chick Corea´s Mad Hatter Studio. 3 week European promotion tour with this group.

1995 CD "Symmetry" on GLM Records, featuring Bob Mintzer, Marc Johnson & young German drummer Falk Willis. Tour in March/April with this group to promote the CD. European festival tour with own quartet, performing at Northsea,Munich, Düsseldorf & Wiesen, Austria. , European tour & CD with "Passport". A brief return to Australia end of the year brought him together with Adam Armstrong (bass) & Andrew Gander (drums). This trio was acclaimed by Peter Jordan (SMH) as "scintillating" and O´Mara "one of our less well-known success stories...startling!"

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Peter O'Mara: My Time

Read "Peter O'Mara: My Time" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Australian guitarist Peter O'Mara is a thirty year veteran of the German jazz scene, and given his association with Klaus Doldinger's Passport that spans two decades, I was curious what direction his solo album My Time (Marangani Records, 2012) would take. By Alan Bryson Tasteful restraint, a mellow after hours sound that represents an appealing alternative to smooth jazz. It's an album (four covers, six original titles) that works well as mood music, yet the interaction ...

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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

My Time

Marangani Records
2012

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Five Forces

Free Elephant
1989

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FMP
1988

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