Peter Jacques (2)

Peter was born in Franzensbad, Czechoslovakia, in 1935 - son of a Swiss mother and a White Russian father, who succeeded as a Soloviolonist and Concertmaster. He made his first appearance on the classical circuit at the age of eight, dabbling with jazz during his classical education and won the first price later on at the Zurich Jazz Festival in 1953. After a brief stint with Chet Baker, he joined some of the best jazz combinations in Sweden and Denmark (Ake Persson, Foss Trio, Ernie Englund, Kurt Weill Band, Harry Arnold Radioband), and even sang background on productions of Alice Babs and Povel Ramel during his stay on the Swedish jazz scene. Always on the experimental side of things, Peter not only produced a series of legendary recordings in the 60s with singer Ruth Linn, arranging up to ten voices together in the first multiple recording mode, but also arranged big Jazzworkshops for German TV bringing together the best Swedish jazz musicians of the time. And of course he composed, recorded and performed within his own splendid "Pete Jacques trio" in the 60s. As a hosting pianist at the legendary jazz club "Nalen", he accompanied stars like Stan Getz, Lester Young and Benny Bailey. After touring with Toots Thielemans and Jimmy Woode, he recorded the first version of the huge jazz hit "Bluesette" in Stockholm for Metronome Records, then leaving Sweden in 1964 to work in Germany and live in Munich, where he also arranged for nearly all the well known German bands of that time. At the Bavaria Filmstudios, Peter Jacques worked as musical director in co-productions with artists like Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones or Rolf Harris and did various TV specials in Rio for the US company ABC with co-host Sergio Mendes and Brazilian stars like Tom Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Edu Lobo, Jorge Ben, Elis Regina and Dori Caymmi. In 1973, he joined the Swiss Broadcasting Big Band, for which he recorded some memorable concerts featuring personalities like Kai Winding or Art Farmer, then hosting the famous "jazz in concert" series there for almost 10 years, having every known jazz artist as a guest. Since then, Peter Jacques is playing, composing and arranging independently.