 Jeanne ASrland Peterson©Andrea Canter One of the true legends of Twin Cities’ jazz, Jeanne Arland Peterson will perform a rare club gig at the Artists Quarter with offspring Patty and Billy Peterson on April 18-19. AQ owner/drummer Kenny Horst will round out the quartet. Although she began playing the piano at age three, Jeanne Arland Peterson did not take a formal lesson until she was 15—shortly before she had her first paying gig. From then on, her career as a pianist/vocalist was on star trajectory, her approach heavily influenced by the great Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson. She spent 22 years performing on WCCO radio as well as around town on club stages and in recording studios. She was the organist for the Minnesota Twins from 1969-71, and built a resume that included work with Perry Como, Bob Hope, Dianne Carroll, Sonny Stitt, Roy Eldridge, Bud Shank, and George Benson. Along with Judy Garland, Jeanne is one of only two women in the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, and two Minnesota governors—Rudy Perpich and Arne Carlson--declared days in her honor. Additionally, Jeanne was the first woman to receive the prestigious Arts Midwest Jazz Masters Award for excellence in jazz musicianship (1977) and in 2005 was named a Minnesota Jazz Legend at the KBEM Winter Jazz Festival. On May 3rd, Jeanne will be inducted into the Mid-American Music Hall of Fame. Almost as amazing as her 70-year career in music is Jeanne’s role as head of Minnesota’s “First Family of Music.” She now heads three generations of talented musicians who perform locally and nationally. It’s hard to find a gig or recording in the Twin Cities that does not include at least one Peterson. And Jeanne is not content to sit back and enjoy the talents of her family—she is still gigging and arranging.
 Patty Peterson and Billy Peterson©Andrea Canter Bassist Billy Peterson was also surrounded by musicians as a youngster, and was interested in “any instrument he could get his hands on.” Billy sang in commercials at age 9, studied drums and keyboards in junior high school, and picked up the electric bass after his father had left one in their home studio to see if any of his children would be interested. Billy was the one. After finding an upright bass in the studio, he “knew I had no choice but to make this my instrument of choice.” As a high schooler, Billy toured with the Righteous Brothers and with the Lawrence Welk All-Stars. After graduation, he played three years with Billy Wallace (Clifford Brown’s pianist) and co-founded the band Natural Life with saxman Bob Rockwell. He split his time between jazz and pop, recording and touring with Leo Kottke and appearing on Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks. His resume since the late 1970s includes collaborations with Ben Sidran, the Steve Miller Band and Prince, and his credits as composer, arranger and producer have perhaps brought even greater recognition than his uncompromising talents as a performer. When his schedule permits, Billy can be found at the Artists Quarter backing national touring musicians, playing with How Birds Work, and of course supporting performances with Jeanne and Patty.  Kenny Horst©Andrea Canter There’s live jazz at the AQ at least six nights per week, but this weekend will be a special occasion when Jeanne Arland Peterson leads the band with Patty, Billy, and honorary son Kenny, April 18-19. The Artists Quarter is located at 408 St. Peter Street (entry off 7th Street Place) in the lower level of the Hamm Building in downtown St. Paul; www.artistsquarter.com
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Twin Cities, MN 
Thursday, 08 January 2009
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