Jerry Peters facts for kids

Jerry Peters is an American musician. He is a talented songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He also works as a conductor and an arranger. He is well-known for writing the popular songs "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely" and "Going In Circles". These songs were big hits for the group The Friends of Distinction.

Jerry Peters' Musical Journey

Jerry Peters was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in Slidell, Louisiana. When he was 14, Jerry moved to Los Angeles, California. There, he went to Susan Miller Dorsey High School. After high school, he studied art and music at Los Angeles City College. He later went to the California Institute of Arts. But he left before finishing his degree to start his music career.

Early Success in Music

During his college years, Peters met Anita Poree and her brother Greg Poree. They started writing songs together. This teamwork led to the R&B pop classic "Going in Circles." The Friends of Distinction performed this song. It became Peters' first "gold record," meaning it sold many copies. Around this time, Peters became a very popular composer, songwriter, arranger, and producer.

Working with Famous Artists

In 1972, Peters released his only album, Blueprint for Discovery, on Mercury Records. Also in 1972, Peters began working with The Sylvers family, a musical group. He helped produce three of their albums. He also produced two albums for Foster Sylvers, a member of the group.

Starting in 1975, Peters began producing albums for jazz pianist Gene Harris. They released four albums together on Blue Note Records. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Peters was very busy. He wrote songs, produced projects, and played on recordings. He worked with many of the biggest names in music. These included Earth, Wind & Fire, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Natalie Cole, The Emotions, The Jacksons, Diana Ross, Deniece Williams, Gladys Knight, Al Green, and Lionel Richie.

In 2011, Peters won his first Grammy Award. He won it for co-writing the "Gospel Song of the Year" with Kirk Whalum. The song was called "It's What I Do." Today, Peters lives and works in Los Angeles. He is also a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Jerry Peters' Music Albums

Studio Albums

As a Sideman (Playing on Other Artists' Albums)

Jerry Peters also played instruments on many other artists' albums. Here are a few examples:

• With Donald Byrd: Street Lady (1973)
• With Brass Fever: Time Is Running Out (1976)
• With Chico Hamilton: Peregrinations (1975)
• With Bobbi Humphrey: Blacks and Blues (1973)