Peter Zummo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Zummo
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1948 |
| Origin | Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
Peter Zummo is an American musician and composer. He plays the trombone, a brass instrument. People say his music is a big part of modern classical music in America. Peter Zummo himself calls his music "minimalism plus a whole lot more." This means it's simple but also has many layers.
Since 1967, Peter Zummo has created many different kinds of music. He mixes styles like rock, jazz, electronic music, and world music. His music has been played in famous places like the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City. He has also performed around the world, including in London and Brussels.
Music critics really like his work. The music website Pitchfork said his music sounds "sublime," meaning it's wonderfully beautiful. A Scottish DJ named JD Twitch even called Zummo's music "sheer bliss."
Contents
Composing and Performing Music
Peter Zummo has worked with many artists. One of his most famous partners was cellist Arthur Russell. Zummo played trombone on many of Russell's songs. He also helped produce some of them. Their music together was unique. It blended trombone, cello, and even loud guitars.
Arthur Russell also played for Zummo's projects. A notable one was Lateral Pass. This piece was made for a dance by choreographer Trisha Brown. It even won a Bessie Award! In 2014, this 1985 recording was released. Critics said Zummo's trombone style is "rich and soothing." It became a well-loved part of Arthur Russell's sound.
Peter Zummo has received support for his new music. The Baryshnikov Arts Center gave him a special residency. This helped him create new works with bass player Ernie Brooks. Other groups like the National Endowment for the Arts have also supported his projects.
Zummo has appeared in films too. He played himself in a movie about Trisha Brown. He was also in Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell, a documentary about Arthur Russell. Peter Zummo also helped create music for the film Tramas. He worked with artist Donald Judd on a piece for a dance. He also played for theater shows like Fragments of a Greek Trilogy.
Peter Zummo plays with many other bands and musicians. These include the Lounge Lizards and Gods and Monsters. He has also performed with dance companies like Ballets with a Twist. He has collaborated with composers such as Pauline Oliveros and Vernon Reid.
Besides performing, Zummo writes music for others. In 2023, he wrote Blue Headlights for the New York Virtuoso Singers. In 2018, his piece Think Quick was performed in Australia. That same year, his music was featured in the movie Second Spring.
Learning and Training in Music
Peter Zummo started learning classical music in his hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. He later earned degrees in music and composition from Wesleyan University. There, he studied with many great teachers. These included Alvin Lucier and Sam Rivers.
After college, Zummo moved to New York City. He continued to study the trombone. He learned from famous players like Carmine Caruso. In New York, Zummo developed special ways of playing the trombone. He also created many pieces with his wife, Stephanie Woodard, who was a dancer.
For several years, he wrote music reviews for the SoHo Weekly News. Zummo once explained his way of composing music. He said he focuses on "persons not instruments." This means he gives musicians enough instructions. This way, they can make their own good choices. He believes his music creates a social feeling.
Teaching and Other Roles
Peter Zummo has been a guest artist at many music schools. These include the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Conservatory of Amsterdam. He also advised students at the New York Arts Program. He was also the artistic director of The Loris Bend Foundation. This group helps present music, dance, and media.
Selected Music Recordings
Here are some of the recordings Peter Zummo has been a part of:
As a Producer
- Arthur’s Landing, by Arthur Russell, 2011
- H*E*R – Songs About the Mysteries of Housework and Nature, by Yvette Perez (Massoudi), 2007
- Disco Not Disco, by Arthur Russell, 2000
- Treehouse/School Bell, by Arthur Russell, 1986
As a Composer and Performer
- Deep Drive 2+, 2023
- Tone Bone Kone, 2021
- Chord Fanfare (And You Can Decorate Your Helmet), in Wind Layers, 2021
- Deep Drive, 2019
- Frame Loop, 2018
- Dress Code, 2016
- Lateral Pass, 2014
- Fast Dream, for the DownTown Ensemble, 2001
- Slybersonic Tromosome, with Tom Hamilton, 2000
- Experimenting with Household Chemicals, 1995
- Zummo with an X, 1985, re-released 2006 and 2012
- Travelers Through Days and Days, on Sunship's Into the Sun, 1974
As a Collaborator or Performer
- Random Person, by Burner Herzog, 2023
- Thought Sent Valley, with Tilman Robinson, in Duet Layers, 2022
- Thinking a View, with Eddie Ruscha, 2022
- First Thought Best Thought, by Arthur Russell, 2021
- What's Not Enough About That, with Bex Burch, 2020
- Watermelon Sun, with Tom Skinner and Hello Skinny, 2017
- Tahdig, by Yvette (Perez) Massoudi, 2018
- Master Mix: Red Hot + Arthur Russell, by Red Hot Organization, 2014
- Sonic Mandala, by Adam Rudolph and Go: Organic Orchestra, 2013
- Can You Imagine…The Sound of a Dream, by Adam Rudolph and Go: Organic Orchestra, 2011
- Winter Moon, by Heroes of Toolik, 2012
- I Wake Up Screaming, by Kid Creole and the Coconuts, 2011
- The Business of Here, by Steve Swell/The Nation of We, 2008
- H.E.R.—Songs About the Mysteries of Housework and Nature, with Yvette Perez (Massoudi), 2009
- Vocalise, by Lise Vachon, 2006
- My Dear Siegfried, by David Behrman, 2005
- Bending the Tonic (Twice), by Guy De Bièvre, 2005
- Calling Out Of Context, by Arthur Russell, 2004
- I Fly, by Yvette Perez (Massoudi), 2004
- Centrifugal Swing, by William McClelland's band The Feetwarmers, 2003
- Off-Hour Wait State, by Tom Hamilton, 1996
- Another Thought, by Arthur Russell, 1994
- Thousand Year Dreaming, by Annea Lockwood, 1993
- 100 of the World’s Most Beautiful Melodies, by Nicolas Collins, 1989
- Brooklyn, by Peter Gordon, 1987
- Innocent, by Peter Gordon, 1986
- Instrumentals, by Arthur Russell, 1984
- Live on the Drunken Boat, by The Lounge Lizards, 1983
- Down by Law, John Lurie's soundtrack album, 1987
- 24–24 Music, by Arthur Russell and Dinosaur L, 1981
- Big Sky, by The Necessaries, 1981
