JAZZ FESTIVAL JAM HOSTED BY GRAYDON PETERSON

Graydon Peterson is a bassist and composer living in Minneapolis. He completed his bachelor’s degree in music composition at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he studied classical bass with James Clute, a former bassist with the Minnesota Orchestra. While Graydon was a member of the Down Beat award-winning UWEC Jazz Ensemble I, he performed with such guest jazz artists as Lewis Nash, Ingrid Jensen, Jason Marsalis, and Chris Botti. Now a resident of Minneapolis, Graydon is one of the area’s top-call bassists. He performs nightly with a variety of vocalists and small ensembles including Katia Cardenas, Wayne Anthony, Charanga Tropical, Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Tropical Zone Orchestra, D’Lakes, Salsa del Sol, Davina and the Vagabonds and ThoughtCast. Graydon has accompanied world renowned jazz drummer Francisco Mela for a series of concerts in Havana Cuba, some of which were held at the International jazz festival there. Other widely know artists Graydon has performed with include Delfeayo Marsalis, Gary Bartz, Randy Brecker, Ben Wendel, Jorge Pacheco, Emmet Cohen and Mayito Rivera. Graydon also is also the founder of successful jam session held every week at the Old Town saloon in northeast Minneapolis. The jam brings together musicians from all genres and backgrounds focusing on building a strong, inclusive, musical community for the twin cities area. A consummate accompanist, writer and arranger, he has become one of the backbones of the jazz scene in the twin cities.