Peter Saltzman Info

Please click on the tabs for various info on Peter Saltzman.

Peter Saltzman

It started at age 4, seated at the piano. A single note that moved and morphed through the years, becoming Peter’s unique musical language. His organic fusion of qualities—the distinctiveness and improvisation of jazz, the soul of blues, and the compositional technique of Bach, Beethoven, and other classical composers—led to an emergence of new sounds, a new feel, a new purpose.

Peter’s broad career in the music industry as composer, pianist, singer-songwriter, and entrepreneur started as a budding teenage jazz musician in Chicago. He studied jazz at the Bloom School of Jazz (Chicago, IL), majored in jazz at Indiana University (Bloomington, IN), and majored in composition and piano at Eastman School of Music (Rochester NY). Later, he studied film scoring at UCLA-Extension (Los Angeles, CA).

In 2016, Peter’s music hit a major turning point. He developed a hybrid platform—an album-ebook—to showcase his latest musical endeavor within his memoir. Blues, Preludes & Feuds, A Musical Memory is a seamless blend of original solo piano music and story with deep technology-art interactions. The music skillfully wends around the narrative, telling the story in its own way. The memoir is a funny, reflective tale of growing up in the politically charged times of 1960s Chicago as Peter journeys to discover his musical language.

Over his career, Peter’s prolific musical work has run the gamut—solo piano, orchestral, chamber, theatrical/film, choral, pop. Various ensembles have performed and recorded his work globally—the Czech National Symphony Orchestra recorded his orchestral dance suite “Walls” (1996), and the Dallas Black Dance Theatre performed “Walls” during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Peter’s concert work is published by Oxford University Press; his film and television work is published by Wild Whirled Music. His music has been licensed for television shows, jingles, and industrials, including My Name is Earl (NBC, 2006).

In the mid-to-late 90s, Peter led the Revolution Ensemble, a group that broke new ground with its adventurous mix of jazz, classical, Latin, and pop genres. Since 2001, he has headed the Peter Saltzman Band as lead singer, pianist, songwriter/arranger—and produced CDs/demos for Chicago-area artists.

From 2006 to 2014, Peter was an adjunct professor of music at the Columbia College Chicago, where he developed and taught a series of courses entitled “Technology for Musicians” and taught piano and theory.

Media Reviews

“Powerful stuff”—Dallas Morning News
“Ambitious, richly layered, wonderfully accessible”—Chicago Sun-Times
“Imaginative . . . brilliant”—Chicago Tribune
“Jaws drop when Saltzman sits at the piano and plays.”—ChicagolandMusicalTheatre.com

Compositions by Category

Solo Piano

  • Eight Funky Etudes, intermediate jazz, rock piano solos (Oxford University Press, 2000)
  • Blues, Preludes & Feuds,  28-movement suite (recorded and released by composer, 2016)
  • 24 New Blues, complex modern blues pieces for solo piano (work-in-progress) (2008-)
  • 24 Old Blues, virtuoso old style blues pieces piano (work-in-process) (2011-)
  • Giant Steps Variations, ongoing series of pieces based on Coltrane classic (2003-)
  • Other Solo Piano: Six Concert Etudes (1994), 12 Preludes (1994),Jazz Waltz (1992),Scherzo (1992), Sonata (1994), Songs & Dances for Piano (1999), Veronica’s Blues, beginning level progressive blues series for children (1994-2018, ongoing)

Orchestral

  • Never Lose The Blues, suite for hybrid jazz/classical orchestra, performed by The Revolution Ensemble (live recording, 1998)
  • Walls, orchestral dance suite, recorded by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra (Albany Records, 1996)
  • Spooky Freaky Music, for the film “Alien Abduction” (The Asylum, 2005)
  • Radical Funk, chamber orchestra with electric bass and drums (1996)
  • Prime Time, full orchestra (2000)
  • Concerto for Tenor Sax and Orchestra (The Well-Tempered Riff), commissioned by West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, performed by the WSSO with Jim Gailloreto (2000)
  • 10 Action Adventure Orchestral Cues (commissioned and recorded for Wild Whirled Music, 2007)

Chamber and Jazz Ensemble:

  • Kabbalah Blues/Quantum Funk, 17 Movement Suite for Vocalist-Jazz Quartet-String Quartet (1999), commissioned and premiered by Chicago Humanities Festival
  • Three String Quartets, 1981, 1984, 1994
  • Four Piano Trios, (1996-1999) (All performed by the Revolution Ensemble)
    • Trio for Piano, Clarinet & Bassoon
    • Trio for Piano, Cello & Percussion
    • Trio for Piano, Violin & Cello
    • Trio for Piano, Bass, and Drums
  • Suite For Jazz Quartet (4 movements, sax, piano, bass, drums) written for and performed by the The Revolution Ensemble (1999)
  • Six Preludes for Jazz Quartet, (sax, piano, bass, drums), written for and performed by the The Revolution Ensemble (1999)
  • The Ones Who Crossed Over, wind quintet, performed by the Oak Street Winds (1997)

Theatrical/Film/Television:

  • Jews in Space, a serial sci-fi musical work for television currently seeking productIon (first three episodes written, 2011-)
  • Piano Diaries Live, a serial one-man liv theater show for Peter Saltzman and his piano (performances at Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago 2014)
  • My Name is Earl (NBC), underscoring for section of fall 2006 episode
  • Alien Abduction, orchestral and electronic score for feature film by Eric Forsberg, produced and distributed by The Asylum (2005)
  • Commercials/Industrial: Hip-hop tracks for Vancouver Police department spot (2006); Hip-hop educational video for Chicago Public Schools (2003)
  • Conneat, a jazz-pop opera, performed at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, Santa Monica, CA (1991)

Choral & Classical Vocal:

  • A Song of Songs Cycle, for voice and piano (Oxford University Press, 2000)
  • The Lord is my Shepherd, SATB Choral (Oxford University Press, 1997)
  • Go Down, Moses, SATB Choral (Oxford University Press,1997)
  • Baruch Ata, SSA Choral, with piano and percussion (Oxford University Press, 1999)
  • Birth of Soul, SATB Choral (Oxford University Press,1997)
  • Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, Upper voices with piano, electric bass, percussion (Oxford University Press, 1997)
  • Mi Yimalel, SATB unaccompanied (Oxford University Press 1997)
  • Psalm 23 Again, for voice and piano, 1999

Pop Songs:

  • One Human Minute, collection of 60 one-minute songs (2018), first 15 recorded
  • Things Better Left Said (2003), collection of original songs and covers
  • Uncollected Songs, Volumes 1 & 2, 20 original pop songs (1988-2004)
  • Songs from Two States, eight original pop songs (1988)

 

Performances

(abbreviated)

  • Pre-High School: multiple classical recitals throughout Chicago area
  • High School: played with multiple jazz bands in Chicago-area clubs; led my own groups at school concerts
  • College:
    • Led jazz groups in clubs in Western Massachusetts
    • Performances of original compositions at Indiana University and Eastman School of music
  • New York City (1985-87): performed original songs in rock clubs
  • Chicago(1987-89): Performed original pop tunes with my band (Peter Zak Band—my stage name at the time) in clubs throughout Chicago area
  • Los Angeles (1989-93): Directed and performances of Pop Opera, Mr. Conneat (Santa Monica, 1991), Played in clubs through LA.
  • Chicago (1996-2001): Lead performances of my group, The Revolution Ensemble in concerts throughout Chicago area. Venues included Harold Washing Library Auditorium (Chicago Humanities Festival), Three Arts Clubs, Chicago Cultural Center
  • Chicago (2002-2018): Multiple performances as a soloist leader of the Peter Saltzman Band in clubs and venues throughout Chicago area, including: Chicago Cultural Center, Davenports, PianoForte, Chicago Humanities Festival, Pete Millers.

Recordings (Chronological)

All recordings (except Walls) produced by Peter Saltzman

  • Jazz Trio, original songs and jazz standards recorded with Larry Gray and Robert Shy at Paul Serrano Studios, Chicago (1980)
  • NYC Pop, several original pop songs recorded in studios throughout New York City, unreleased, (1985-87)
  • Songs From Two States, original pop songs, recorded at StudioMedia Recording, Evanston, released  in 1988, received national airplay
  • Live at Orphans, Peter (Zak) Saltzman band at Orphans Club, Chicago (1989)
  • Five New Songs, original pop songs, recorded at River North Studios, Chicago (1989)
  • Conneat, original pop opera recorded in home studio, Los Angeles (1991)
  • Mad Hatter Session, solo piano album of jazz standards and originals, recorded at Mad Hatter Studio, Los Angeles (1992)
  • Saltzman Solo Piano,  original virtuoso concert piano music recorded at WFMT Studios, Chicago (1995)
  • Walls, large orchestral dance suite, Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Paul Freeman Conducting (1996)
  • Go Down Moses, Chicago a Cappella recording of Peter Saltzman Arrangement of title tune (1997)
  • Never Lose the Blues, original hybrid orchestral suite, recorded live at Harold Washing Library Auditorium, with the Revolution Ensemble Orchestral, Peter Saltzman Conducting (1998)
  • Four Trios with Limited Commercial Interruptions, live recording of original piano trios with Revolution Ensemble, Three Arts Club, Chicago (1998)
  • TRE String Quartet Live, Revolution Ensemble String Quartet, Three Arts Club, Chicago (1999)
  • TRE Jazz Quartet Live, original extended compositions for Jazz quartet, Revolution Ensemble Jazz Quartet, Three Arts Club, Chicago (1999)
  • Kabbalah Blues/Quantum Funk, original 75-minute work for the Revolution Ensemble, Hinge Recording Studios, Chicago, released 2000
  • Four Seasons, produced and co-wrote Katherine Hughes album, Dr. CAW Studios (2001)
  • Things Better Left Said, original pop songs and covers, Dr. Caw Recording Studio, Northbrook, released 2003
  • Alien Abduction, original soundtrack from 2005 Eric Forsberg feature film, Saltzman Studio (2005)
  • Big Ass Orchestral Cues, 10 original short-form orchestral works, Saltzman Studio (2007)
  • Piano Diaries: Volumes 1-5, solo piano improvisations, Saltzman Studio, (2009-2013)
  • Uncollected Pop: Volumes 1 & 2, original pop tune compilation, recorded in various studios (Chicago, NYC, Los Angeles), released 2012-13
  • Piano Diaries Live, live recording of original one man show, Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago (2014)
  • Blues, Preludes & Feuds, original piano compositions and improvisations (and memoir) released as an album and app, Saltzman Studio (2016)
  • Virtual Unreality, extended original song for original TV pilot (Jews in Space), Saltzman Studio, (2017)
  • One Human Minute, 60 original one-minute songs, Saltzman Studio, 2018-19 staggered release

Performances

(abbreviated)

  • Pre-High School: multiple classical recitals throughout Chicago area
  • High School: played with multiple jazz bands in Chicago-area clubs; led my own groups at school concerts
  • College:
    • Led jazz groups in clubs in Western Massachusetts
    • Performances of original compositions at Indiana University and Eastman School of music
  • New York City (1985-87): performed original songs in rock clubs
  • Chicago(1987-89): Performed original pop tunes with my band (Peter Zak Band—my stage name at the time) in clubs throughout Chicago area
  • Los Angeles (1989-93): Directed and performances of Pop Opera, Mr. Conneat (Santa Monica, 1991), Played in clubs through LA.
  • Chicago (1996-2001): Lead performances of my group, The Revolution Ensemble in concerts throughout Chicago area. Venues included Harold Washing Library Auditorium (Chicago Humanities Festival), Three Arts Clubs, Chicago Cultural Center
  • Chicago (2002-2018): Multiple performances as a soloist leader of the Peter Saltzman Band in clubs and venues throughout Chicago area, including: Chicago Cultural Center, Davenports, PianoForte, Chicago Humanities Festival, Pete Millers.
AWARDS AND COMMISSION

  • 2006 Illinois Arts Council SAG Grant to complete concert video
  • 2001 Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award in Composition
  • 2000 Commission by Oak Park/River Forest Children’s Chorus
  • 1999 Commission by Chicago Humanities Festival (Kabbalah Blues/Quantum Funk)
  • 1998 Commission by West Suburban Symphony Orchestra (Sax concerto)
  • 1997 Commission by Zephyr Dance Ensemble (Chicago)
  • 1996 Commission by Dallas Black Dance Theatre (for Walls)
  • 1995 City Award from City of Chicago for String Quartet
  • 1984 ASCAP Composers Prize, 1st Place, Aspen Music Festival

2017-2019. Piano Teacher, West Suburban Montessori School, Oak Park, IL

  • Developed and taught private piano to children ages 4-12

2017-2019. Theory Coordinator, New Music School, Chicago

  • Developed theory program for children from four years up.
  • Oversee theory tutors from above program
  • Teach Advanced Theory for 18 and Under classes
  • Developed and teach Adult Theory Classes (for adult amateurs)

2006-2014   Adjunct Professor or Music, Columbia College Chicago

  • Developed and taught a new series of classes called Technology for Musicians for Columbia’s Contemporary, Urban, Pop Program (CUP), a new undergraduate major started in 2008
  • Developed and taught Pop/Jazz keyboard class for CUP majors
  • Taught private piano students (jazz and classical)
  • Taught multiple levels of musician’s skill classes (sight-signing, ear-training, etc.)

2008-2012  Founder/CEO of MusicOnlineAlive.com

  • Created concept, design, and business plan for rich online music album format
  • Led 15-person development team based in India
  • Worked with top digital media executive at major labels to make the platform accessible to high-level artists

1997-2001  Founder/Artistic Director of The Revolution Ensemble

  • Innovative cross-genre group performed works exclusively by living Chicago-area composers, including Peter Saltzman, Doug Lofstrom, Jim Gailloreto and Benton Wedge
  • Debut concert at Harold Washington Library consisted of a hybrid jazz/classical/rock 30-piece orchestra, Peter Saltzman conducting all original works
  • The Chicago Humanities Festival commissioned Peter Saltzman and TRE to write and perform a major new work at the 1999 Festival. The Chicago Sun-Times called Kabbalah Blues/Quantum Funk “ambitious, richly layered, wonderfully accessible”. The studio recording of this work was released to rave reviews in 2000.

2001-2008.  Produced CDs and Demos for Chicago-area artists

  • Produced, co-wrote, arranged and performed on Katherine Hughes’ CD Four Seasons (2001)
  • Produced Shawn Gilley’s debut CD, “Hold On” (2005)
  • Produced finished demo for Lauren Frost (2005) and Stephanie Haseman (2001)

1985-pres.  Music Lessons in Private Studio

  • Private students ranging in age from 5 to 75
  • Teaching areas include piano (jazz and classical, beginning through advanced), composition (all levels and styles); theory (beginning to advanced modern); improvisation; song-writing, vocal technique

1978-pres.  Freelance pianist, vocalist, and composer in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago

  • Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY, 1984-85),Majored in Composition and Piano
  • Indiana University School of Music (Bloomington, IN 1981), Majored in Jazz
  • UCLA-Extension (Los Angeles, CA, 1992-93) Film Scoring
  • Bloom School of Jazz (Chicago, IL, 1978-80) Jazz Studies