Pete Petersen & the Porkpie Sextet
Expert band covers Goodman charts for 100th birthday
May 30 marked the 100th birthday for the famous “King of Swing,” reed-man Benny Goodman. On May 14, many jazz aficionados as well as dancers of the swing and Lindy Hop persuasion, were right in step, attending one of Portland’s best celebrations of Goodman’s birthday, hosted at Tony Starlight’s Supper Club.
Pete Peterson Septet
The story of native Chicagoan Benny Goodman is a poignant one. Born into a poverty-stricken family and neighborhood, Goodman began taking music lessons at an early age at Jane Addams’ famous Hull House. From there, he proceeded to forge an amazingly successful career amidst one of the worst financial depressions this country has ever seen.
How ironic that his centennial birthday celebrations should fall so appropriately into the present day recession that many folks are experiencing. At this particular celebration, in the comfortable, intimate, upscale supper club, where there is hardly a bad seat, the collective mood was very upbeat and congenial. The dance floor exhibited numerous, experienced couples taking advantage of the infectious rhythms of swing.
Portland’s own Pete Petersen with his Porkpie Septet was an excellent choice for a band as they covered the Goodman charts extremely well. They provided right mood, as well as the expertise for which Porkpie Septet is so well-known. From the fictional, anecdotal introduction read by Tony Starlight himself, to wailing, muted horns and a 1930s style drum solo, the night was a great blast from the past.
Pete Petersen grew up in Boise, Idaho, and spent a lot of time listening to the great band leader Gene Harris. Then, while working on his Bachelors degree at the University of Denver, he gained priceless performing experience with numerous jazz professionals in the Denver area.
Petersen has built a strong reputation in the Portland area as a versatile sideman for performance and studio projects. He also is a band leader who’s found a working balance between the tedious business side of music and the demanding, creative, improvisational aspects of music. Petersen generates a fun, entertaining atmosphere that exhorts audiences to loosen up and enjoy what the band is laying down. He’s also established a solid proficiency in composition and arranging, as heard in some of the remarkable originals the band has recorded and performed.
The Goodman Centennial Celebration was a special night for the Porkpie Septet, featuring a slightly different line-up of musicians for this date. Along with Peterson on tenor sax, there were other Porkpie regulars including Ed Pierce on drums, Greg Garret on trumpet and Stan Bock on trombone. Changes in the line-up consisted of bassist John Walling, substituting for Andre St. James; pianist Soloman Douglas covering for Brian Ward; and special guests Mike Horsfall (from Tall Jazz) on vibes; as well as Ralph Pat (who worked with Benny Goodman) on guitar. Last but not least was Kirk Peterson, a great reed-man covering for regular Brian Dickerson, whose incendiary clarinet and sax solos raised the collective fever pitch a couple of degrees.
The “improvisational banter” between soloists (in some cases regarded as “fours” meaning four measures each, or “eights” etc.), had most of the audience snapping fingers, tapping feet, hooting and rockin’ in their seats. It was a fun celebration that Benny Goodman would surely have given a good nod.
Pete Petersen and Porkpie Septet have currently released two CDs, the most recent one Keep Your Hat On on the Pony Boy label; and Petersen has an earlier release titled Silver Lining. For up-coming performance dates, CD sales, and more, please visit the website at: www.petepetersen.com.