Peter Roberts, a renowned local jazz pianist, continues his stellar tribute series, playing the complete work of Miles Davis's 'Kind Of Blue' along with his band, including Dave Rezek, Robert Espe, & others.
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Peter is currently the Music Director of Heartland Presbyterian Church in Clive, IA. There he arranges for and leads the jazz ensemble for the 10 a.m. worship and directs and composes/arranges for the vocal ensemble.
He is an active jazz pianist having played at the Noce, The Des Moines Social Club, Embassy Club West, Louie’s Wine Dive, the Stuffed Olive, the Lift, and Chucks in the Des Moines area.
He is a staff accompanist at Dallas Center-Grimes High School and Meadows. There he plays for the 8-12 choirs, the musical and solo and ensemble contest. He is also a staff accompanist at Drake University having played for the choirs, conducting courses, individual soloists, and the Drake Opera Theater’s production of Verdi's MacBeth in 2015.
Peter teaches private piano lessons. He teaches both classical and jazz to ages seven and up (including adults) and across all ability levels.
He is also a versatile composer, arranger, and electronic producer who has written extensively for small jazz ensemble. Has written and recorded five big band charts with the University of Northern Iowa’s Jazz Band One, and has received commissions for choral works from Bel Canto Cedar Valley and Underwood High School. While living in Colorado, Peter co-produced an electronic album with Alex Bullen entitled Outlets and Exchanges.
He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with both a BA, minor in jazz studies, and an MA in piano. There he studied classical piano with Sean Botkin, jazz piano with Bob Washut, and jazz improvisation and composition with Chris Merz and Bob Washut.