Welcome
Welcome to Peter King's Website. Peter is a Pittsburgh-based performer, guitar teacher (blues, jazz, folk and rock) and music historian. Shows, recordings, lectures and lessons -- Peter's got a lot going on. So click around a little, and you'll probably find something you like!
Peter King joins Hackman, Mendelssohn Choir in music of Dylan Jan. 25-28
The Beatles in Their Prime
Quiet Fire - The Music of James Taylor
Git Outta Yer Basement II Wows Aspinwall -- And The World!
Second Git Outta Yer Basement! announced for Sunday, April 19
Git Outta Yer Basement!
What I've been listening to: Newer Paul Simon
Getting there, but still "under construction"
Previous events
Peter King and his Fast Friends Band
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Wallace's Tap Room, Hotel Indigo, 123 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty, Pittsburgh
Peter King (that’s me) will be performing his songs ("jazzy, easy-going acoustic folk-pop in the vein of vintage James Taylor and Paul Simon" – Post-Gazette) at Wallace's Whiskey Room + Kitchen Tuesday, Sept. 26 (that's tonight)! Expect a little less “easy-going acoustic,” as I’ll be playing plenty of electric guitar, backed by the dynamite Fast Friends Band: Mark Perna, bass; Marc Reisman, harmonica; Eric Kurtzrock, drums/vocals. Elegant, hip, happenin’ Wallace’s serves great dinners and drinks and offers an excellent viewing area for music. Check us out! Thanks, Peter www.peterkingmusic.com www.facebook.com/pkingmusic/
Know My Song Well: Bob Dylan, 1961-1966
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Posvar Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan, now 75, was 19 when he arrived in Greenwich Village in the bitter cold winter of 1961. Although Dylan creates fascinating music to this day, he made his boldest mark in the early to mid-sixties, when he transformed the pop soundscape with his matchless topical songs, signature symbolist imagery and leap from acoustic music to raw rock ‘n’ roll. In Dylan’s early career, a smart, confident, determined musician/myth-maker emerges. So does a charged era, from the Folk Revival to the Freedom Rides. Vivid characters – from Joan Baez to Allen Ginsberg to the brash, funny, enigmatic Dylan himself – parade by. And the great songs ring out: “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Like a Rolling Stone” and more. Peter King, a well-known Pittsburgh guitar teacher, performer and journalist, will supplement lecture, recordings and videos with his own guitar playing to tell the story of this true American iconoclast.
Peter King and Fast Friends
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Tavern in the Wall (formerly The Aspinwall Grille), 211 Commercial Ave., Aspinwall, PA 15215
Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Peter King is back at Tavern in the Wall, again backed by his Fast Friends: Mark Perna, bass; Marc Reisman, harmonica; and Eric Kurtzrock, drums.
Peter King and Fast Friends
Tavern in the Wall (formerly The Aspinwall Grille), 211 Commercial Ave., Aspinwall, PA 15215
Peter plays an evening of original songs both old and new with the help of fast friends Mark Perna on bass, Marc Reisman on harmonica and Mark Weakland on drums. Admission is free.
Peter performs old and new originals, as well as distinctive covers of blues, folk and jazz standards. Bassist Mark Perna, Peter's frequent colleague onstage and in the recording studio, will bring the bottom and then some. Come hear some cool sounds, and then check out "Pump Boys and Dinettes" next door in the CLO Cabaret Theater.
Peter King with special guest Mark Perna
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Tavern in the Wall (formerly The Aspinwall Grille), 211 Commercial Ave., Aspinwall, PA 15215
The Post-Gazette calls the music of Aspinwall's Peter King “jazzy, easy-going acoustic folk-pop in the vein of vintage James Taylor and Paul Simon.” The Beaver County Times says, "King has brought a fresh approach to the city’s singer-songwriter scene, with an accessible style that encompasses blues, jazz and Brazilian rhythms.” Joining Peter for his second set will be frequent colleague Mark Perna on bass (Richie Cole, Don Aliquo Sr., Christopher Mark Jones). King and Perna will mix originals -- including new tunes from Peter's upcoming third CD -- with standards from The Beatles to Dylan to B.B. King. The cozy, well-run and delicious Tavern in the Wall is a great place to dine, drink and hear music. Admission is free.
Peter King with bassist Mark Perna
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Wallace's Tap Room, Hotel Indigo, 123 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty, Pittsburgh
Singer-songwriter with jazz guitar chops. And why not?
Revolver + 50: Best Beatles album ever?
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Cooper-Siegel Library, 403 Fox Chapel Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15238
It was 50 years ago today (well, almost) on Aug. 6, 1966, that The Beatles released Revolver – a recording on the short list of the group’s very best music. In fact, some critics and fans rank it even higher than “Sgt. Pepper.” Why do songs like “Taxman,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Eleanor Rigby” still sound catchy, innovative and even profound a half-century after they were made? Gain some new insights through guided listening to the recordings, as well as examples played by the instructor on guitar.
The Beatles in Their Prime: Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper
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Osher Center, University of Pittsburgh (attendance restricted to Osher members), Oakland (Pittsburgh), PA
Fifty years ago, The Beatles released “Rubber Soul” – the first in a string of three LPs generally regarded as among their very best. “The Beatles in Their Prime” focuses on these three landmark recordings – why Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band still sound catchy, innovative and even profound. Through guided listening to the recordings, as well as examples played by the instructor on guitar, this five-session presentation will explore the following topics: - What made the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership/rivalry magical -The role of producer George Martin (R.I.P. March 8, 2016), sometimes called “The Fifth Beatle” -The group’s innovative use of emerging recording studio technology - How the band was influenced by Indian ragas, Bob Dylan, musique concrete and the Beach Boys - How cultural currents of the 1960s, from drugs to Eastern religions, shaped The Beatles, and vice-versa
Peter King is a guitar teacher, performer and lecturer who lives in Aspinwall. He worked as a pop and jazz music critic at The Pittsburgh Press and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and earned an M.M. in guitar performance at Duquesne University. He has released two CDs, “The Road to Ubatuba” and “Dancing on a Long Leash” and is recording a third.
Peter King with Mark Perna
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Wallace's Tap Room, Hotel Indigo, 123 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty, Pittsburgh
Fingerstyle guitarist, songwriter and vocalist Peter King performs distinctive interpretations of songs ranging from Beatles to bossas to blues -- plus a few originals. His longtime colleague Mark Perna will join him on upright bass. No cover charge. $6 valet parking and plenty of street parking available. Wallace's Tap Room phone: 412-665-0555.
Peter King with Mark Perna
Saturday Light Brigade, WRCT-FM 88.3 and other SLB affiliates, slbradio.org
Guitarist/vocalist Peter King and bassist Mark Perna perform live on the long-running, award-winning Saturday Light Brigade radio show hosted by Larry Berger. Expect to hear an eclectic mix of original songs -- including several new tunes from Peter's upcoming third CD. slb@slbradio.org/listen 412-586-6300
Peter King, guitar and vocals with bassist Mark Perna
Tavern in the Wall (formerly The Aspinwall Grille), 211 Commercial Ave., Aspinwall, PA 15215
Peter will be doing his distinctive arrangements of tunes from the blues to The Beatles to Brazilian pop, both vocals and solo instrumentals (as in "shut up 'n' play yer guitar"). He'll also play a few new originals and songs from his CDs “The Road to Ubatuba” and “Dancing on a Long Leash.” The Tavern, BTW, is a cozy, classy neighborhood restaurant/bar with consistently tasty food and great service. It was even written up in Esquire, for goodness' sake. It’s a fine place to hear music. Bassist Mark Perna (Don Aliquo, Richie Cole, Christopher Mark Jones) is the Maestro of Low, the Baron of Bottom, the, um, well, he's really good! All this, and no cover charge...
Guitar Styles of the Rich and Famous!
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Shaler North Hills Library, 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw, PA 15116
This lecture/concert endeavors to explain as well as entertain. Guitar teacher, performer and music historian Peter King (M.M. in guitar performance, Duquesne University), will perform songs by Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Lennon-McCartney. He will also talk about the artists’ lives and music – especially the guitar playing that energizes some of their most famous work, from “Carolina in My Mind” to “Blackbird” to “Something So Right.” All are welcome! The event is free. Registration is requested, though not required. Call 412-486-0211.
Drink in the sounds of vocalist extraordinaire Kelly Burgos, fleet finger-style guitarist Peter King and sizzling percussionist Dan Klicker. The event is part of the Beaver Wine Festival.