Arts & Entertainment

University City Jazz Pianist Peter Martin to Play at The White House

Jazz pianist Peter Martin will perform at a state dinner at the White House on Wednesday.

Acclaimed University City jazz pianist Peter Martin will perform with vocalist Dianne Reeves at the White House on Wednesday.

The performance is part of a State Dinner with President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Juntao. 

"I'm very excited and very honored," said Martin, enthusiastically adding "I'm stoked for sure." 

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"They called me about doing it, not too long ago, within the last two weeks or so," he said.

Martin said they're going to be part of a 45 minute jazz concert. He expects to play about two or three songs. 

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This isn't Martin's first time playing a the White House. Last time, he performed their he was 16 and Ronald Reagan was president.  

"When I graduated I got chosen to do this thing and we did a short performance and got an award at the White House."

 The program also includes musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Chris Botti.

"It's really nice that this is an administration that really acknowledges the arts and cultural significance of jazz music and jazz musicians.  It's a special honor because of that," Martin said.

Martin usually doesn't get pre-gig jitters but he said "this will be a good  test of that."

He also splurged and bought a tuxedo for the special occasion.

"It's shameful I'm a musician and I don't even own a tux.  I've rented them for years, which is really silly. So my wife.. she was just like 'you've got to go get a tux and you can't be cheap because you're going to the White House. You've got to get a nice one."'


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