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Two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist Peter Nero leads his unrivaled Pops orchestra blending classical, swing, Broadway, blues and jazz – all performed with vibrant virtuosity amazing authenticity and an inviting sense of humor. “The best aspect of Nero’s art could well be his crazy creativity. He has the gift of seeing a song as no one has seen it before exclaimed Mary Kunz, music critic for the Buffalo News. The Washington Post has dubbed Peter “the epitome of the Pops Conductor/Performer.
In a recent issue of Keyboard Magazine, the late Ray Charles, when asked about his favorite pianist was quoted as saying, “Art Tatum could play anything he wanted to. He’s one of the few people who I truly believe could play anything he thought of…and Pete plays his buns off.
One of Peter’s greatest achievements is being the founding Music Director of the world renowned Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Extraordinary for any orchestra these days, Nero and the Philly Pops also recently signed a three-record deal with DRG Records.
The Maestro’s recent guest performances include return engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Buffalo and Dayton Philharmonics, the Florida Philharmonic and the Pacific, St. Louis Ottawa, Detroit and Virginia Symphony Orchestras. Peter also continues to tour throughout the year in solo recitals.
As a Steinway artist for many years, Peter returned to New York’s Carnegie Hall in the spring of 2003 toe perform at the 150th Anniversary of Steinway Gala with many noted pianists, including Dr. Billy Taylor, Herbie Hancock and Michael Legrand.
The Brooklyn –born musician started his formal music training at the age of 7. By the time he was 14, he was accepted to New York’s prestigious High School of Music and Art and won a scholarship to the Julliard School of Music. Constance Keene, his teacher and mentor, once wrote in an issue of Keyboard Classics, “Vladimir Horowitz was Peter’s greatest fan.
Peter recorded his first album in 1961 and won a Grammy that year for the “Best New Artist”. Since then, he has received another Grammy Award, garnered 10 additional nominations and released 67 albums. Peter’s early association with RCA Records produced 23 albums in eight years. His subsequent move to Columbia Records resulted in a million-selling single and album – The Summer of ’42 now available on CD.
The Maestro’s long list of honors includes six Honorary Doctorates, the most recent from Drexel University in 2004, and the prestigious International Society of Performing Arts Presenters Award for “Excellence in the Arts.” He is also included in two historic walks of fame – one in Philadelphia and one in Miami, Fl. In 1999, he received the Pennsylvania Distinguished Arts Award, presented by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. Previous honorees included Marion Anderson, James Michener, Andrew Wyeth and Riccardo Muti.
He is an active participant committed to many important causes, including the funding of music programs, fundraising for the building of new arts centers across the country as well as research for cancer, dystonia and autism.
Nero has long been a devotee and advocate of consumer electronics. His expertise has led him to be dubbed a “technocrat” by leaders of the industry. If it’s plugged in or battery operated then Peter has it! While computers and other electronics have made him Gadget King,” he still makes music on the traditional Steinway concert grand Piano.
When not touring around the world, Nero makes him home in the Philadelphia area. He has two children – Beverly, a successful actress residing with her husband in California and Jedd, a commercial real estate entrepreneur residing with his wife near New York City. Both children have made him a grandfather.
