foto by: TIM MC NEILAGE

foto by: TIM MC NEILAGE

JAMES WILKINSON foto by: CATI ACIN

jazz harp

Verona, ITALY Adelaide/ Melbourne, AUSTRALIA

Diane has developed an original style of playing and composition, performing solo and in diverse combinations, in Melbourne, Australia, Italy and Internationally. Her CD of original music, Diane Peters ARCHAEOPTERYX, received exceptional reviews and comments followed by invitations abroad.

...In the 21st century Jazz is a mature art form; hence, its very seldom that something new, fresh and individual comes along... James Morrison.

...The harp may seem incongruous addition to a jazz ensemble but once this recording begins preconceptions cease to be an issue... The Australian 2001.

Inspired by the music of Alice Coltrane and encouraged by Australian Jazz legend Mark Simmonds, Peters wove her way into the field of jazz harp. Then studied at the VCA jazz course 95-97 meeting like minded musicians to play with. Diane has found that composition is also a useful mode of developing the place for harp in jazz considering the open stage for ideas. It has been musicians on other instruments,( colleagues and teachers) taking an interest in this alluring instrument with its possibilities and limitations, that have given Diane the possibility to experiment and forge a path. Along with producing her own music, Diane has worked with major artists (recordings and live performances) including Bob Sedergreen, Paul Grabowsky, Scezary Scubizewski, Christine Sullivan, Steven Cummings and Angie Hart and Nicola Conte.

the harp..let alone jazz harp?

"Born in Adelaide S.A. I started on a folk harp the age of 5 then moved on to the concert harp. I wanted to experiment..create my own music, I was eventually led to jazz/ improvisation and composition, in Melbourne."

International appointments and studies of note include

- 4th European Harp Symposium, Perugia,ITALY.1998 performance at the Contrapunto Jazz Club.
-Solo at Tonic jazz improvisation club in New York 2000 .
- Studies with Park Stickney, Jazz Harpist, NYC
-ARLES International harp festival 2000. Solo jazz harp and voice.
-Performance by invitation 5th International Harp Symposium, Amsterdam 2001, with ARCHAEOPTERYX band.
- Performance and Jazz workshop/ lecture for the International Harp Convention 2004 at the ANU Australian National University , Canberra. 2004.
- Performance and Jazz workshop/ lecture ,Verona Conservatorium,2006.

Composition

Along with composing the major part of the works performed in Concert, other major compositions include, Score for award winning Australian short film One Step Back 2004 by Mark Robinson,and a "Hilarion 53" for orchestra and jazz saxophone performed by Monash Orchestra October 2004.

IN ITALY as of 2004

Diane plays in and around Verona in various duos and jazz quartets in venues and festivals. With Tommaso Castiglioni -vibes, marimba www.tommasocastiglione.com
and on occasion with his trio Teo Ederle on Bass and prcussionist Ernesto Privitera.
The Duo with Castiglione evolved as the first activity for Diane in Italy in 2004, combining these two similar instruments and voice , creating a lush texture and sharing the passion for original music and jazz, taclking some challenging melodies e.g zappa!!
Concerts in (VR) eg Comune of Vigasio,La Fontana,Avesa.

Stefano Benini - flute www.stefanobenini.com
Stefano Benini well known through out Italy as a top jazz flautist, joins with Diane playing mainly a selection of jazz standards, and soloing on grooves, and adding rhythm section on occasion.They have played Concerts in (VR) eg Via Roma 33, Christmas concert -Villa dei Cedri, also combining with Giordano Grosso- Bass and Tommaso Lorusso -Guitar. Festivals of S.G.Lupatoto and Badia Calavena.

Diane collaborates with members of Les Quartettes www.lesquartettes.com a jazz string quartet who play around Italy and abroad in their own concerts and joining jazz soloists with rhythm section.

Duo withTommaso Lorusso- Jazz Guitarist , playing original and jazz a smooth and stylish duo of bossa nova and original, playing in concert and for receptions.
see weddings-matrimoni,Concerts in (VR) eg.via Roma 33,Castel Vecchio,Villa Scopoli, Avesa.

"works for jazz and string ensemble" Diane Peters-Harp and Voice, Maria Vicentini-viola,Paola Zanoni-cello, Giordano Grossi-bass, Stefano Benini-flute, Roberto Fachinetti-drums.
Diane has recorded for Nicola Conte( Blue Note jazz artist) in 2006-7.

MELBOURNE

Returning to Australia..eg( Adelaide) Pilgrim Church "Works for jazz and string ensemble"for jazz action and harp society of S.A. sept 2007.

Part of Melbournes improvisation, jazz, and new music scene Diane has composed, developed and performed her own music in diverse venues and festivals. Along with her band and cd Archaeopteryx, followed by the Project sunrise with strings, collaborations and session work are also important part of her work. Diane Peters with Edwina Preston (Australian writer/ performer) devised an opera inspired by Italo Calvinos invisible Cites at Revolver Night Club,where Diane also collaberated with numerous dj's improvising harp and voice.With Preston composed and performed in CD,assisted by Australia council at ABC studios.
Harpist in original music and Klezmer band ADANA.Iimprovised solo performances at venues such as the make it up club www.makeitupclub.com e.g. combining harp and voice with the use of super 8 film recordings taken in China and Italy. (improvised music association) assisted by the Australia Council. Diane has performed many times at Bennetts Lane JazzClub.Melbournes leading jazz venue.www.bennettslane.com.au Diane performed with Archaeopteryx and other combinations in diverse performances in Gallery spaces and Dinner and show collaborations with RathdownStreet Food Store and Gallery/Venue Fortyfive Downstairs.www.fortyfivedownstairs.com.au
Performances with DJ David Franzke include Melbourne international festival; Honkeytonks and fortyfivedownstairs. Diane Peters has produced and performed music for Gwendolyn in major international fashion events in Sydney and Melbourne.
With duo The Aprils with flautist Mia Salsjo, performed at the international women's jazz festival at Bennets lane, and many top class corporatefunctions e.g. for BMW Launch tour of Australia.

MP3:

my favorite things

duo in 7

foto by: GIOVANNI PERETTI