Smooth Notes & News

There are many things that have been said about multi-award winning guitarist and composer, Peter White. Among these comments have been the phrases: warmth and generosity of spirit, the consummate professional, talented and gifted, and humorously- “his music is so beautiful… he plays so passionately… he really should take dancing lessons!”

But there is a dance of life Peter takes on each day that the finest of choreographers cannot recreate: in his music, he touches lives; in his performance, he touches hearts. His musical gifts have afforded him the opportunity to express, musically, what most are unable to convey with the spoken word. Whether in collaboration with artists Grover Washington, Jr. (Midnight in Manhattan), Gerald Albright (Another Rainy Day), Kirk Whalum (Playing With Fire), Al Stewart (Time Passages) or pals Boney James, Rick Braun, Marc Antoine – who can forget the early days of Guitars & Saxes? Through them, we have been enriched with meaningful music and memorable times.

Not long ago, I had a conversation with Peter, from which came the inspiration: “getting beyond the questions”. This is where I would like to take you—beyond the questions, in a conversation with Peter White. I hope you will enjoy it, and be inspired.

SNAN: When you started in music, Peter, did you ever see yourself as you are now, leading your own band and making your own recordings?

PW: Oh no- I only ever thought of myself as a sideman, an accompanist, as I indeed was for the first 15 years of my career. It's only when I heard Acoustic Alchemy for the first time in 1987 that the thought ever entered my mind that I could do this on my own. They were the first guitarists that I heard that didn't seem to have a jazz background but were making their own CDs and doing well. I really related to that as someone who had been playing rock for so long. This also coincided with the advent of what is now known as "Smooth Jazz" radio.

SNAN: Any moments of doubt?

PW: Oh yes! When I first started playing with my band to promote my music in 1990, I thought that this was a ridiculous thing, to try and lead a band with a nylon string guitar. I even contemplated switching back to electric guitar, but I soon learned to get the band to play quieter when I needed them to. You see at that time I started playing with musicians who had played nothing but "fusion" and they were used to playing loud all the time!

SNAN: Have there been any moments that you feel changed your life or the direction of your life?

PW: In 1974 at 20 years old, I had been out of school for just over a year and I walked into an audition for a band, having little experience. I took the train down to London from my hometown of Letchworth and I almost turned back before I got to the audition because my fear was becoming overpowering. I managed to conquer my fear however, and to my surprise got the job, playing piano and guitar with a band called "Principal Edwards". That band broke up after a few weeks but through them I met Al Stewart and that's how I eventually came to the USA and settled in Los Angeles. (Al wanted to live in California and I wanted to keep my job!)

In L.A., I eventually met all the people who would help me start my own solo career. All from that one day in 1974, when I decided to overcome my fear! This has been a great lesson to me in my life. We all have fear but we must never let fear make our decisions for us...

SNAN: Any regrets?

PW: I had the chance to see Jimi Hendrix when I was about 15, but I didn't go. Still regret that! And another thing- if I had it to do over, I would have started wearing hearing protection sooner!

SNAN: How have your live shows evolved over the years?

PW: I started out just playing songs from my CDs, and talking a little in between songs. Everything was way too loud. I didn't know then the art of the "breakdown" where you take the music way down. This is not something we did in rock and roll! Now there are many points in the show where we take the music way down and just let it build again. I enjoy playing the guitar at times like this, because I like playing quietly...
Also, in the early days, I didn't have any singing in the show, because I'd had so many years of playing with singers, but now I like to incorporate vocals from my band members- and I even do a little scatting, on occasion!

SNAN: Was there any musical performance or recording in your youth that inspired you to play music?

PW: If there was one moment in my early life that inspired me, it was probably watching the Beatles, Live at Shea Stadium on the "telly" (TV). I was maybe 8 or 9. The way the fans reacted and the excitement they caused – that has always stayed with me. I thought: I can do this- how hard can it be?

SNAN: What were your thoughts were when you stepped onto a stage to perform live for the very first time? Where were you and how does that feeling compare to what you feel today?

PW: The first time I stepped on stage was as an 8 year old, playing the recorder with my brother and sister. It was in a working men's club and I was terrified. The first time I stepped on stage as a pro musician was in a holiday resort in England, at the age of 19, and I was also terrified, as I had not done a note of rehearsal with the band. The first time I played my music with my own band- I was 34 and ...yes, again I was terrified. How does that compare with today?- Well I'm not terrified anymore!

SNAN: You've traveled around the world for the love of music: writing, producing, performing, learning and growing. What was the hardest adjustment you have had to make?

PW: Becoming a bandleader was a huge adjustment from being just part of the band. After 15 years of playing I was not prepared for my role as the frontman for a band! The first time I played a set with my band my mouth was so dry with nervousness that I could hardly speak. Nowadays I'm a lot more relaxed and I think I play better for it!

And, I've had to adjust my clock every time we pass through a time zone...

SNAN: Did you ever meet one of your idols?

PW: Actually I met Jimmy Page in an elevator once in 1975, after I'd been playing with Al Stewart just a few weeks. It was in the Continental Hyatt House in Hollywood, CA. and all I could say was..."You're Jimmy Page!" He said, "Yes I am" and promptly got out at the next floor. What was interesting was that I was holding my new Les Paul guitar that I bought, having been inspired by all those.... Led Zeppelin riffs!

SNAN: Is there anything that has ever surprised you about the music business?

PW: (Great question!) Yes. When I released my first solo album, I was surprised that people were interested in me and my life. I thought the music would do the talking for me, but now I've gotten used to doing interviews- such as this one.

SNAN: Was there ever a time that you got burnt out on music?

PW: A GREAT question and one that I've NEVER been asked!

Yes, a few times through the years I've become burnt out- mostly during the making of certain albums, like "24 Carrots" with Al Stewart. It was the first album that we made without the help of producer Alan Parsons, and we really didn't know what we were doing and we kept on having to correct mistakes that we were making over and over again. There is a song called "Paint By Numbers" where we must have re-recorded the electric guitar a dozen times! By the end of the album I was so tired of hearing electric guitars that I stopped playing for a while. What saved me at that time was that I signed up for an evening course at UCLA where I learned how to write and arrange for orchestral instruments. I met a lot of great people and realized that there was more to music than pounding drums and heavy electric guitars!

SNAN: What keeps you grounded?

PW: (Couldn't resist this one...) Gravity

SNAN: How does Peter White "Keep The Light"?

PW: Great question! Electricity. No really, learning to accept life the way it is while trying to do your bit to make it better; Learning to control fear rather than the other way around, and not having overly high expectations. If you can accept all these things, it's much easier to keep a positive outlook.

SNAN: What makes Peter happy in his leisure time? Tell us about your hobbies and favorite places.

PW: Keeping up with current events through the newspaper. Doing the crossword and letting my 2 and one-half-year-old daughter jump all over me yelling "Elmo, Elmo!" and reading biographies.

My favourite place- outside of my recording studio- the kitchen!

SNAN: It is said that true friendship speaks volumes. Who is your best friend? If asked, what would they say about you?

PW: I have many friends and I have no idea what they would say about me. Probably my best friend is Joe Read - he lives in England and we don't talk much these days, but when we do it's like no time has passed. I'll give you his email address and you can ask him what he thinks of me!

SNAN: If you had to place something in a time capsule, to be opened in 50 years, what would it be and why?

PW: A current copy of the Los Angeles Times, which I consider the best newspaper in America. Just to see how different things are 50 years on and how attitudes and priorities have changed.

SNAN: What or who is the great love of your life?

PW: My wife, Robin; my daughter Charlotte.......... and music.

SNAN: Tell us about your charity work and why is it so important to you?

PW: I play benefits for various charities. This year I have played for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Home Aid of Orange County (to benefit the homeless), Shriner's Hospital, Musical for Our Children (Instruments for schools), and Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. I want to help out as much as anyone else, and by donating my time, I can do my bit.

SNAN: Describe your perfect moment.

PW: Eating one of my wife's wonderful salads. (Sounds trite, but true.)

SNAN: What is that one thing you have always wanted to say to your fans?

PW: I've had every opportunity to communicate to my audience in recordings, CD notes, live performances and on my website www.peterwhite.com- but I'll say it again....

"The joy of life is to be found in the journey, not the conclusion" (from Caravan of Dreams)", and "keep the light" (from 'Glow'.) And yes- there is one more thing. I love meeting people and when we do meet- please be nice and don't grab me!

SNAN: What's on your wish-list?

PW: I have many ideas for projects that I would love to do. Re-doing some of my old songs with orchestra; a CD of songs from the 1940s; a duet album with a favourite musician like Gerald Albright or Kirk Whalum and an album of new songs with orchestra.

SNAN: Finally Peter, where will your next project take you?

PW: I've no idea right now. I will just empty my head and let the music pour out.

Thank you Peter, for once again opening the door and allowing us to share with you a few “Perfect Moments” in time.

Once again, Peter White is touring in 2003 with artists Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub and Steve Cole as “Guitars & Saxes”, and on solo dates with his own band around the country. Check out the tour pages of Smooth Notes and News.com for tour schedule updates each month and check out Peter’s website: www.peterwhite.com

Discography

Glow – 2001 Sony Records

Perfect Moment – 1998 Sony Records

Songs of the Season – 1997 Sony Records

Caravan of Dreams – 1996 Columbia Records

Reflections – 1994 Sindrome Records

Promenade – 1993 Sindrome Records

Excusez-Moi – 1991 Sindrome Records

Reveillez-Vous – 1990 Chase Music