Peter Curtis is a guitarist and composer. He has performed or recorded with notable jazz musicians including Claudia Acuna, Lynn Arriale, Seamus Blake, Don Braden, James Carter, Freddy Cole, Barbra Morrison, Eldad Tarmu and Ron Westray of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. He has played in some of the top jazz clubs in Los Angeles as well as in New York’s Carnegie Hall. In addition, he has performed on Black Entertainment Television. In Europe, some of the venues at which he has appeared include A- Trane in Berlin, Sounds in Brussels, The Jazz Garden in Budapest, Jazz Club in Florence, Der Regentenkammer in the Hague, Jumpin’ Jazz Ballroom in Milan, Studio Des Islettes in Paris, Reduta in Prague and The Gig in Zurich.
With his group, the Peter Curtis Quartet, he recently released his debut album Swing State, which is available at cdbaby.com. Here are quotes from two great jazz guitarists about that recording.
“Peter Curtis puts a lot of thought and a lot of heart into his playing and writing. He has a beautiful sound, particularly on the acoustic guitar where his classical training comes through even in this jazz context. Also, the rhythm section supports the music tastefully and soulfully. I really enjoyed this CD” Mike Stern.
“Peter’s songs and playing jump right out at you. Each tune has a unique personality of its own and with the use of a beautifully recorded classical guitar and some electric (with occasional devices) playing, the improvising is equally strong and creative and a joy; the whole band is great!” Gene Bertoncini
As a classical guitarist Peter has given recitals throughout the U.S. and Canada and was awarded the Andres Segovia memorial scholarship from the Banff Centre for the Arts. Some of his arrangements for classical guitar have been performed by guitarists as far abroad as Australia.
He received his Bachelor of Music degree Magna Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music, a Masters of Music degree from Yale University, and a Doctor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance and Literature with minor fields in Ethnomusicology and Music History from Indiana University.
Dr. Curtis is a tenured professor of music at Riverside Community College in Riverside, California.
