Happy Birthday To Smooth Jazz Guitarist Peter White
Happy birthday to smooth jazz guitarist Peter White, who celebrates his 55th birthday today, September 20. White was born in 1954 in Luton, England, which is just north of London. As a child, White’s father encouraged him to learn many musical instruments, including the clarinet, the recorder, harmonica and flute. In his early teens, though, White was heavily influenced by the Beatles and decided to play the guitar.
British folk and pop singer Al Stewart helped White launch his career as he asked him to perform on his best-selling CDs from the 1970s, Year of the Cat and Time Passages. White says it was one song, “On the Border,” where he made his album debut on the nylon-string guitar, which he is known for today.
His 10th CD, Playing Favorites, featured two No. 1 smooth jazz singles, “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)” and “Mister Magic,” giving him 15 for his career. His 11th and latest CD, Good Day, has the Smooth Jazz Top 20 hit “Bright,” dedicated to the late Wayman Tisdale.
Today, the guitarist – who lives in Southern California – will spend his special day with his wife, Robin, and 9-year-old daughter Charlotte. He has several solo shows coming up, as well as shared billings with Al Stewart and Mindi Abair, and will be featured on the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas tour beginning in November.