pete-4

Jazz percussionist Pete Siers is a study in contrasts—soft-spoken and unassuming offstage, yet an electrifying force when seated behind a drum set. Described as a hard-swinging, intensely physical, and dynamically sensitive drummer, Pete's performances personify "straight-ahead, readily apparent musical joy,” according to the Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association. Paul Pearce of Bass World magazine goes even further, noting that “Pete absolutely ‘sings’ with his drum kit.”

A consummate professional, Pete Siers boasts an international reputation for his restless curiosity, meticulous attention to detail, and mastery of diverse styles. Mike Stratton, host of the FM 90.5 radio show, “Groove Supreme,” praises Pete's versatility, citing his impressive collaborations with jazz luminaries such as Russell Malone, Mulgrew Miller, Marian McPartland, Lee Konitz, Benny Golson, James Moody, Kenny Werner, David “Fathead” Newman, Eddie Daniels, Frank Morgan, Scott Hamilton, Bob Wilber, and Barry Harris.

Beyond his expansive performance career, Pete has left an indelible mark on over 60 recordings, including Russell Malone’s "Black Butterfly" on Columbia Records. His illustrious career has seen him grace the prestigious stage of Carnegie Hall twice, in 2008 with Andy Firth and Buddy DiFranco, and in 2013 with the New York Pops, featuring Dave Bennett. Pete's musical itinerary has taken him across Europe, solidifying his status as a sought-after artist at jazz parties and festivals throughout the U.S.

With over 30 years of experience, Pete not only demonstrates his prowess on stage but also imparts his vast knowledge as a teacher of percussion and jazz drumming. As a leader, he has released 13 recordings with diverse ensembles, showcasing his versatility across genres, from mainstream jazz to salsa and traditional blues piano boogie-woogie.

Pete's reputation and expertise have led him to perform with over 35 orchestras in North America, including in Detroit, Nashville, Calgary, Vancouver, and Portland, Oregon. Currently, he travels to New Orleans to perform with the Crescent City Joymakers and contributes his talent to the dynamic sound of the Toledo Jazz Orchestra. His home base is Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he lives with his wife, Stephanie Hale.

HAS PERFORMED WITH:

Saxophonists:
Harry Allen
Andrew Bishop
Nick Brignola
Dan Block
Matt Catingub
Adrian Cunningham
Sonny Fortune
Frank Foster
Alex Foster
Charlie Gabriel
Jim Galloway
Benny Golson
Vinnie Golia
Scott Hamilton
Jimmy Heath
Red Holloway
Franz Jackson
Lee Konitz
Pat LaBarbera
Dan Levinson
Rick Margitza
Branford Marsalis
James Moody
David “Fat Head” Newman
Ken Peplowski
Tim Ries
Scott Robinson
Bobby Watson
Bob Wilber

Bassists:
John Burr
Katie Cavera
John Clayton
Ken Filiano
Vince Giordano
Marion Hayden
Bob Hurst
Paul Keller
Nicki Parrott
Lynn Seaton
James Singleton
Frank Tate
John Weber
Rodney Whitaker

Percussionist:
John Santos
Pepe Espinosa

Trumpeters:
Marcus Belgrave
Doc Cheatham
Buddy Childers
Duke Heitger
Ingrid Jensen
Jon-Erik Kellso
Brian Lynch
Nicholas Peyton
Randy Reinhardt
Randy Sandke
Arturo Sandoval
Bria Skonberg
Andy Schumm
Marvin Stamm
Warren Vache
Joe Wilder

Vocalists:
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Ann Hampton Calloway
Nnena Freelon
Giacomo Gates
John Hendricks
Rebecca Kilgore
Janice Siegel
Manhattan Transfer
Barbera Morrison
Mark Murphy
Rossana Vitro

Clarinetists:
Dave Bennett
Anat Cohen
Eddie Daniels
Buddy DeFranco
Bob Draga
Louis Ford
Bob Gordon
Tim Laughlin
Allen Vache

 

Vibraphonist:
Steve Nelson
Ted Piltzecker

 

Pianists:
Geri Allen
Mose Allison
Ehud Asherie
Dave Boeddinghaus
Henry Butler
John Cocuzzi
Bill Cunliff
Xavier Davis
Luca Filastro
Sir Roland Hanna
Barry Harris
Oliver Jones
Carl Sonny Leyland
Bill Mays
Tom McDermott
Marion McPartland
Jay McShann
Mulgrew Miller
Hod O`Brian
Johnny O`Neal
Steve Pistorius
Mark Shane
John Sheridan
Rosano Sportiello
Kris Tokarski
Johnny Varro
Kenny Werner
Gerald Wilson

Trombonists:
Bill Allred
John Allred
Dan Barrett
Michael Dease
Wycliff Gordon
Bob Havens
Conrad Herwig
Jiggs Wiggum

Guitarists:
Howard Alden
James Chirillo
Mark Elf
Marty Gross
Randy Johnston
Mundel Lowe
Russell Malone
Duke Robillard

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

University Festival Appearances
Collegiate International Association Of Jazz Educators- Long Beach, CA
Jazz Educators Network- Louisville, KY
Emory University Jazz Festival, Clinician/Performer- Atlanta,GA
Elmhurst College Jazz Fest- Elmhurst, IL
Purdue Jazz Fest- Clinician/Performer- West Lafayette, IN
University Of Texas Jazz Festival- Austin, TX
University Of Michigan Jazz Festival- Ann Arbor, MI

International Festivals

The Jazz Cruise
Puerto Rico Jazz Festival
Nancy, France Jazz Festival
Istanbul Jazz Festival
Vienne, France Jazz Festival
Mezinarodi Jazz Festival-Cezk Republic

United States Festivals

Detroit International Jazz Festival
The Playboy Jazz Festival- Los Angeles. CA
Florida Sun Fest Music Festival
Tanglewood Music Festival
Newport Jazz Festival
JVC Jazz Festival-NYC
Chicago Jazz Festival
Mackinaw Island Jazz Festival
Cleveland Classic Jazz Party
San Diego Classic Jazz Festival
Suncoast Classic Jazz Festival
Arizona Classic Jazz Festival
Elkhart Jazz Festival

Orchestras Performed With
Albuquerque Symphony
Columbus, OH Symphony
Detroit, MI Symphony
Grand Rapids, MI Symphony
Hilton Head, SC Symphony
Jacksonville, FL Symphony
Kingston, Ontario Symphony
Medesto, CA Symphony
Nashville, TN Symphony
New York Pops Orchestra- 11/1/13
Omaha, NE Symphony
Orlando, FL Symphony
Portland, ME Symphony
Portland, OR Philharmonic Orchestra
Reno, NV Symphony
Rochester, NY Philharmonic Orchestra
Sarasota, FL Symphony
Vancouver, BC Symphony Orchestra
Virginia Symphony (Newport News, VA)
Philadelphia Symphony
Fort Worth Symphony
Pittsburgh Symphony

Jazz Parties As An All-Star
Chautauqua Jazz Party- Chautauqua, NY
Atlanta Jazz Party- Atlanta, GA
Evergreen Jazz Party- Evergreen, CO
Summit Jazz Party- Denver, CO

Notable Venues

Carnegie Hall
Opera House Of Madrid
Israel Opera House-Tel Aviv
Extensive Tours Of Spain
Extensive Tours Of Switzerland