Born: February 28, 1980 Primary Instrument: Bass
Bassist and composer Peter Schwebs lives in New York, Berlin and in his hometown Hannover, Germany. He works as a freelance musician with various international bands and projects performing and teaching in Europe, Latin America and the U.S.
Peter studied Jazz & Contemporary Music at the Hannover University of Music and Drama (2000-2005) and was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to continue his studies in the graduate program at New York University (2006- 2008).
Peter was a member of the youth jazz orchestra “Windmachine” of the German state of Lower Saxony, and received awards at a number of national and international jazz competitions, including Jugend Jazzt, Winning Jazz, Next Generation, Niedersächsischer Jazzpreis in Germany and Concurso Internacional de Intérpretes de Jazz in Granada, Spain. From 2007 till 2008, he was an adjunct instructor for Jazz Ensemble at New York University and received the Barney Josephson Award for Excellence in Jazz (2008).
Peter performed on international festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Umbria Jazz (Italy), Jazz Peru Internacional, Costa Rica International Jazz Festival and Jazz Rallye Luxembourg. He has also participated in TV and broadcasting productions, and recorded with different artists, for example Oktoposse “Blues Lee” (Konnex Records 2009), Teo Macero: Inner World Band “Study In Contrast” featuring Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Larry Coryell and Alex Sipiagin (Teo Productions Inc./NYU 2007), and schultzing feat. Claudio Puntin “War das schon immer so?” (Tonikum 2008).
During his time in New York City, Peter had the chance to play with internationally acclaimed artists including Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano, George Garzone, Lenny Pickett, Chris Potter and Randy Brecker. For these collaborations, he had the privilege of performing at some of New York’s most prestigious jazz venues such as The Blue Note, Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center and Smalls.
In August 2010, Peter released his first own album “Stories from Sugar Hill” under the German jazz label LAIKA-Records. For his debut album as a composer and bandleader, Peter invited some of his favorite musicians like legendary tenor saxophonist George Garzone and drummer Ari Hoenig as well as young talents from the New York jazz scene: pianist Julian Pollack, saxophonist Ben Kraef, guitarist Douglas Bradford and drummer Nick Anderson.
Awards:
Artist stipend in music and composition of the Federal State of Lower Saxony, Germany (2011);Barney Josephson Award for Excellence in Jazz, New York University (2008);
Jazz Prize of the state of Lower Saxony, Germany (Niedersächsischer Jazzpreis) with different bands (2008, 2006, 2005 and 2003);
Fulbright Scholarship for graduate studies at NYU (2006-2008);
Graduate Education Scholarship, New York University (2006-2008);
"Best International Jazz Band Award" for the band schultzing at "V Concurso Internacional de Intérpretes de Jazz" in Granada, Spain (2006);
...
Bruce Lindsay, All About Jazz, October 13, 2010
”What a debut! Peter Schwebs [...] delivers an album that stands among the
best acoustic productions of the past few years.”
Werner Stiefele, stereoplay (September 2010 Issue, Germany)
5-Star Rating and “Audiophile CD of the Month”
”A thoroughly convincing project.”
Teddy Doering, Jazz Podium (October 2010 Issue, Germany)
”[...] a fantastic young bassist with a good sound and feeling... He surely has a
bright future ahead of him in all directions of music!”
- Joe Lovano
”Peter Schwebs is one of the more exciting young jazz bassists on the
international scene today. His melodic compositions as well as a strong sense
of time and groove are impressive.”
- Mike Richmond
”Peter Schwebs is a remarkable bass player [...]. He is a deep, honest and very
moving musician - an amazing communicator with heart, ears and
vision.”
- Jean-Michel Pilc
”Both as a composer and performer, he has demonstrated formidable
technique and a unique voice. This is a musician that needs to be
heard.”
- Tony Moreno
”Peter Schwebs stands out in his generation of young bassists.”
- Ron McClure
