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Peter Janson was born in Cambridge Massachusetts, USA. He began playing guitar at age 7 and started composing as a young teen. His early influences were eclectic - Django Reinhardt, Andres’ Segovia, Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Joe Pass, Freddy King, Steve Reich, Arvo Part, Doc Watson, Brian Eno – and remain so to this day. While attending the New England Conservatory of Music he was interested in early music for stringed instruments, jazz, Indian classical, and contemporary classical composition. He gained experience composing for and performing in a variety of ensembles in a myriad of styles while attaining his Master of Guitar Performance degree and this is when his passion for folk, world, and traditional music, especially Celtic, was formed. Since that time his performances have mostly been as a soloist playing fingerstyle guitar.

Peter won an NAR Lifestyle Music Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for his Beautiful Day CD, and Album of the Year and Best Instrumental Album Acoustic awards for his co-writing and performing on Jamie Bonk’s My World CD. He’s had the privilege of performing with a variety of acoustic artists including American Guitar Masters tours with Larry Pattis, Artistry of the Guitar tours with Ken Bonfield and Steve Davison, String Songs concerts with luminaries Tim Farrell and Michael Manring, Friends concerts with Steve Hunt, Henrik Bridger and Bertram Lehmann, and has shared stages with Ed Gerhard, Alex DeGrassi, Dakota Dave Hull, Chris Proctor, Jamie Bonk, singer-songwriters Brooks Williams, Shane Jackman, Greg Greenway, and Tim Harrison, Ugandan artist Kinobe and Celtic artists Aine Minogue, Aoife Clancy, Robbie O'Connell, and others.

Currently a faculty member of the Performing Arts Department at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Peter has been hailed as "the perfect combination of instrumentalist and composer, entertainer and educator" (WUMB Music Festival). He has composed and recorded music on 14 national and international CDs including six CDs under his name, music for video games, and his music has been featured on a variety of regional documentaries. He has written an article for Acoustic Guitar Magazine titled Teaching at a University.

AWARDS

• NAR Lifestyle Music Award winner for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album 2006, BEAUTIFUL DAY

• NAR Lifestyle Music Award nominee for Best Instrumental Album – Acoustic 2006, BEAUTIFUL DAY

• NAR Reviewer Pick Award winner for Best CD of 2006, BEAUTIFUL DAY

• NAR Lifestyle Music Award winner for Album of the Year 2004, JAMIE BONK - MY WORLD

• NAR Lifestyle Music Award winner for Best Instrumental Album – Acoustic 2004, JAMIE BONK – MY WORLD

• KTEP-FM (El Paso TX) Top 20 of the Year 2004, FIRELIGHT MOONLIGHT

• KTEP-FM (El Paso TX) Essential Audiosyncracy Collection Award winner 2003, SOMETIMES FROM HERE

• NAV Music Award finalist for Best New Age Album 2002, SOMETIMES FROM HERE

• KTEP-FM (El Paso TX) Top 20 of the Year 2001, SOMETIMES FROM HERE

• KRSC-FM (Tulsa OK) Top 20 of the Year 2001, SOMETIMES FROM HERE

• NAV Music Award nominee for Best Acoustic Instrumental Album 2000, ACROSS THE BRIDGE

• KGOU-FM (Norman OK) Best of 2000 Award winner, ACROSS THE BRIDGE

"a rare 10+!"
~ Ming Yuan, Spirit of Change Magazine

"It wasn't like I was watching two musicians, it was like I was watching two magicians!"
~ audience member at a Peter Janson and Tim Farrell concert, Blackstone River Theatre, Cumberland RI

"Janson is a gifted acoustic fingerstyle player"
~ TJ McGrath, Dirty Linen Magazine

"remarkable artistic vision... a consummate acoustic guitarist"
~ Bill Binkelman, Wind & Wire Magazine

"luscious tone and elegant compositional ideas... his compositions have real depth"
~ Acoustic Guitar Magazine

"a new standard"
~ Instrumental Weekly Magazine

"in a market glutted with songwriters' frenzied attempts to communicate in today's fast and furious style, Janson has slipped out the back door along with other artists like Norah Jones and Bruce Cockburn"
~ Emily Wilcox, The Carver Reporter

"Peter Janson amazed audiences with several numbers off his latest CD and brought a number of those attending unexpectedly to tears with his poignant rendering of an old Irish jig"
~ Christopher Harding, Salt Lake City Entertainment Industry Examiner

"Peter Janson is an incredible musician and an elegant stylist -- Compass Rose is modern acoustic guitar at its best... Janson produces a rich palette of tones and timbres that will amaze you. If you like fingerstyle guitar featuring artistry that goes well beyond technique, this music is for you."
~ This review is from: Compass Rose (Audio CD) – from Amazon.com customer review by D Bosch

"Peter you are such an inspiration to us all. You work is impeccable and has the Power to reach within and touch the Heart, Spirit, and Soul. Thank you for sharing your Gift with the world."
~ Relative Soul

"Peter, Your work Friday night in Chico was astounding. As an amateur musician with a music degree, I have an appreciation for what it takes, and an ear for many aspects of what's going on in the music. Especially your 2nd piece, the Metheny/Janson piece, was art in its highest form. In the middle of the piece I noticed the whole room was still except for each note. The soft passages were still crystal clear. It's the kind of thing I live for."
~ Chris Wolf, Chico CA

"Fantastic! Fabulous! Phenomenal! I could go on and on … Your concert was amazing!"
~ T. Healey, Stoughton MA

"Best guitarist I have ever heard! My wife and I were lucky enough to see Peter in concert this past Saturday night... and I can say that he is the most talented guitarist that we have ever heard."
~ Michael Rezendes, from iTunes site customer review

"Last night's show was incredible! Beautiful guitar-playing with such passion and energy given by Peter, Doug and Larry! And the finale by Peter of Sligo Creek was spectacular!"
~ Janie Crag, San Jose CA

"Wow! Such a great show! So much feeling in the playing, compositions and arrangements of all! Thanks to Doug, Larry and Peter! This is what acoustic fingerstyle guitar is about! Wonderful evening!"
~ David Hilliard, Santa Clara CA

"Really enjoyed listening to your work. Excellent musicianship. Superb guitars and the natural sound you get, even on the pieces recorded live, is phenomenal. Hope you get over to the UK sometime for some concerts"
~ Martyn Webster, Yorkshire UK

"Beautiful playing! ... exquisite."
~ Wayne Chimento, Califon NJ

"If you ever play in Paradiso, I'll be there!"
~ Pasado Tjeertes, Heiloo Netherlands

"Your playing is real sweet. My cup of tea. I hope to hear you live in Amsterdam!"
~ Barbara Pyle, Amsterdam Netherlands

"...a particularly exceptional rendition"
~ Mike Milton, ON Canada

"That's some great playing. A true inspiration"
~ Keen Meng Wong, Chichester NH

"Firelight Moonlight and Compass Rose. Great arrangements and touch. Thank you!"
~ Martin Sosa, Eureka MT

"Love your music."
~ Steve Spencer, Mexico City Mexico

"I love the music!"
~ Dermot William Tenanty, UK

"...this was beautiful!"
~ Rosemary Lambin, Chicago IL

"Good Stuff Peter!"
~ David Breeds, Johannesburg South Africa

“[You’re] a wonderful guitar player and musician!"
~ Rene Wilhelmy, Canada

"Wow Peter I am lost for words. I admire artists like you with the gift (and the discipline to enhance it). I will pass the word to my friends here in Australia."
~ Brett Greenland, Townsville Australia

"Beautiful tunes, clean, original, and fun. Wonderful stuff."
~ Terry Pinnegr, Franklin TN

"I really enjoy your music! My Irish roots take me to such a dear place as I listen to this beautifully arranged music. Thank you for sharing it. I hope to see you in concert one of these days. Plan a trip to Richmond, VA, please!"
~ Peg Andrae, Midlothian, VA

"it sounds great!!"
~ Frederic Desque, Pessac Aquitania France

"I stand in awe Peter! Hopefully I can get to one of your workshops!"
~ Dennis Pashen, Mount Isa Australia

"Very enjoyable and inspiring."
~ Jayne, Larkspur CA

"Thanks for moving me and touching my life with your music."
~ Diane McGee, Half Moon Bay CA

"I think you're a fabulous player! Good, solid, and focused tone too."
~ Yiannis Gougourelas, Thessaloniki Greece

"Great stuff Peter, have you ever thought of coming down under? I'm sure you would be very well received."
~ Dave Eyles, Mackay Queensland Australia

"“…you play beautiful music on your guitar i could have listened to it all night."
~ Anthony, Burnley Lancashire UK

"I like your melodic style!!"
~ Gianandria, Bologna Italy

"Beautiful playing! If you ever make it to Peoria, Il. I'll be there!"
~ Curt Tresenriter, Peoria IL

"Great music Peter. I really like you style and musicianship. Thanks!"
~ Ron Bloor, Toronto ON

"Your music reaches into my heart and my soul!"
~ Lisa Tabor, Thunder Bay ON

"You are my number One album!"
~ A. Berry, Boston MA

"Great show, we really enjoyed it! "
~ C. Fox, Keene NH

"The way Peter Janson layers melodies inside other melodies really blows me away!"
~ P. Madden, Roosevelt NY

"Peter Janson’s music has the substance of great jazz and classical music presented in an original and accessible style. Truly great!"
~ Steve Hunt, jazz pianist with Allan Holdsworth, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, Angela Bofill, Tom Brown...

"G-d...it's been such a long time since a performance has touched me like yours has."
~ J. Billings, Hyannis MA

"so rich, so deep, so heartfelt."
~ Nancy Hopps, Eugene, OR

"Firelight Moonlight is SUPERCOOL!!!!"
~ P. Palma, Milan Italy

"Your music is truly beautiful and very moving. I could go on for quite a while describing how it moves me! I can’t stop playing it!"
~ J. DiStase, Princeton NJ

"To be honest, I’ve known a lot of musicians over the years (since my days long ago in a garage band and later work in the concert industry), and not much of their music made me sit up and take notice. But Peter Janson’s was haunting. I couldn’t turn away. Thanks for the revival."
~ John Dennison, author

"I love, love, love your music!"
~ Anne Williams, Nightscapes

"As soon as it arrived I put it in the player, and immediately fell in love with it. You’ve composed some great music here."
~ Cindy James, KRSC-FM

"In the hands of a master, six strings become an orchestra!"
~ Jerry Lagadec, Bridgewater MA

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