Pete Petersen and the Porkpie Septet August 10, 2008

Pete Petersen and the Porkpie Septet
Keep Your Hat On
at the Mercury Cafe

Portland, Oregon saxophonist (and former Denver resident) Pete Petersen and his group “Pete Petersen & the Porkpie Septet” will be touring to support their new album “Keep Your Hat On” with a performances at the Mercury Café on Sunday, August 10. The band will perform two sets; 8 p.m. and again at 10 p.m.


The show features Seattle-based jazz pianist Solomon Douglas and local jazz drummer Ben Makinen for what promises to be an energetic, hard-swinging night.
Pete Petersen grew up listening to pianist Gene Harris playing in his hometown of Boise, Idaho. He later earned his bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music, while simultaneously getting "real-world" jazz experience sitting in with local notables such as Bruno Carr, Stefan Karlsson, Ron Miles and Eric Gunnison. While in Colorado he was a member of groups selected as finalists in the prestigious Hennessey Jazz Search competition 2 years in a row. He has been featured on NPR's JazzSet program, and he is currently one of Portland's most in-demand saxophonists as a sideman, doing section work for name artists in many diverse styles ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. As an arranger he has done work for many regional notables, including Howard Crosby, the nephew of the legendary Bing Crosby. As a leader, his Porkpie Septet has hit the national stage, playing jazz and swing festivals in Chicago, Denver, Seattle and beyond. He has also been a featured solo performer at major jazz festivals throughout the region.

The Porkpie Jazz Septet is dedicated to performing a style of music that originated in the lush musical landscape of Kansas City in the 1039’s - a scene that gave rise to legends like Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing and the band’s namesake Lester Young. The band’s sound is part Big Band, part small combo, blended with the energy and vibrancy of musicians who realize that the original jazz musicians were the rock stars of their day.
The new album is out, and being released internationally, on Pony Boy Records, a Seattle-based indie jazz label. Among the musicians featured on the album is the legendary drummer Donny Osborne, a Buddy Rich protégé who toured with Mel Torme’s band for 25 years. Pete Petersen proudly endorses Audix Microphones and sound equipment.

"Petersen's an accomplished player. He has a big, throaty tone and a blowzy, swashbuckling style with the conversational touch of old-time sax players." --- Paul de Barros, Seattle Times
Contact Pete Petersen at 503-313-9398 or jazz@petepetersen.com. More information at www.petepetersen.com or www.ponyboyrecords.com
PSA/Listing
Pete Petersen & the Porkpie Septet
The Mercury Cafe – 2199 California Street Denver, Colorado 80205 on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 8 & 10 p.m.
$8
Ticket price includes free dance lessons at 5:30 & 6:30 p.m.
303-294-9258
www.mercurycafe.com