Joel Peterson is a composer, musician, and arts facilitator based in Detroit. His 30-year career has explored several methods of music-making, from traditional and popular forms to experimental and classical works. His chamber music compositions have been performed by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Michigan Opera Theater and New Music Detroit. His venues Bohemian National Home (2005-2008) and Trinosophes (2012-present) have been two of Detroit’s most significant spaces for contemporary music of all kinds in the last two decades, but especially in the fields of improvisation, experimental music and ethnic-folkloric related music. A 2010 Kresge Foundation Arts Fellow in Composition, Peterson has lectured at Wayne State University, University of Toledo, Oslo National Academy of the Arts and Malmo Academy of Art. His writings have been published by the Metro Times, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and Three Fold Press.
Peterson is a founding member of noted Detroit bands including early ‘90s polygot pioneers Immigrant Suns; futuristic automoton-driven instrumentalists Scavenger Quartet; inscrutable electric improvisers Chatoyant; atmospheric, archaic electronics duo Viands; Americana trio Lac LaBelle; Nigerian dance orchestra Odu; microtonal/homemades ensemble Xenharmonic Gamelan; and, most recently, rocking free jazz project Harding Peterson Hurley.
Peterson is also a member of many collaborative groups with members from beyond Detroit, including BoxDeserter and Soar Trio/Quartet/Quintet with (Thollem, Hasan Abdur-Razzaq and others); and Cycle of Restoration with William Hooker and Mark Kirschenmann. Additionally, Peterson has been a longtime member of the Faruq Z. Bey Quartet/Kindred, Skeeter Shelton’s Spectrum and has performed and/or recorded with Han Bennink, Eugene Chadbourne, Amy Denio, Aknek Kenneth Green, Tatsuya Nakatani, Elliott Sharp, Jack Wright, Rhys Chatham, Lisa Raschiatore, Damo Suzuki, Sonia Lee, Michael Carey, Frank Pahl, Dennis Palmer, Kenn Thomas, Jason Stein and countless others.
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For bookings or general inquires email newdetroitsounds@hotmail.com
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