 As a kid in
Pembroke, Ontario, Peter Turner’s earliest musical experiences
included school bands and a Glenn Miller-style big band. His
early experience also included various concert bands and
orchestras, as well as musical theatre productions with the
Pembroke Musical Society.
After moving to Ottawa, Peter’s first
professional gigs were with the Derek Robertson Jazz Band – a
dixieland group in the British trad style. Between 1988 and
2000, the trombonist performed 667 gigs across Canada with
Derek Robertson and became a frequent substitute for other
traditional jazz bands, including the Apex Jazz Band and the
Magnolia Rhythm Kings. His association with these groups
continues to this day.
During the 1990s, Peter began to explore
mainstream jazz repertoire and develop his ability to lead
small ensembles – either as the only horn or with one other
horn or vocalist. This led to several long-running
small-group engagements, including a remarkable 12-year run at
Westwinds Restaurant in Pembroke, as well as an eight-year
stint at the Swan at Carp, near Ottawa’s western boundary. At
both locations, Peter built a loyal following and a sense of
community among his listeners through the Bandwagon, a
quarterly newsletter that he created and maintained for seven
years.
The Westwinds and Swan engagements gave
Peter an opportunity to perform with the finest professional
musicians from Ottawa and beyond. The late Gerry Helke was a
particularly strong influence during this time. Peter’s first
CD, These Lips, featured Gerry’s distinctive arrangements for
sax, trombone and rhythm. Peter also worked with well-known
saxman and vocalist Tim Roberts throughout much of the 1990s
and performed with him at Caribbean resorts.
John Steele is another frequent
collaborator of Peter’s. John was the original piano player
in Peter’s Westwinds group starting in 1992, and he
accompanied Peter for most Swan gigs. Their monthly duo gig
at Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro in Ottawa is entering its 14th
year. John appeared on Peter’s second CD, Live at the Swan –
a recording that also included Goodman-style clarinettist
Scott Poll along with Gerry Helke on bass and Glenn Robb on
drums.
From 2006 until 2009, Peter played in Big
Band Caravane – a successful and popular group under the
leadership of Jean-Pierre Moisan and musical direction of
Kieran Milne. With Big Band Caravane, Peter was the main
trombone soloist on a range of big band standard repertoire as
well as various latin and funk arrangements.
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