Dave Peck

During his freshman year of high school, Dave Peck's initial passion for the trumpet began guiding him toward jazz. A pivotal experience occurred at age fourteen when he encountered Miles Davis' Blackhawk recordings owned by his girlfriend's father, sparking his jazz trajectory. Two obstacles diverted his trumpet ambitions: orthodontic braces and attendance at a summer jazz camp that introduced him to Marian McPartland, prompting his shift to piano.

His professional debut took place in 1970 via a performance at the neighborhood country club. Throughout his career, Peck has collaborated with numerous prominent jazz figures such as Chet Baker, Sonny Stitt, and Lee Konitz. A particularly productive association developed with Bud Shank, resulting in the recording of Tales of the Pilot, an album featuring solely Peck's compositions. His compositional talents earned acknowledgments from ASCAP and Meet the Composer.

In 1998, his first album as leader, Trio, received Earshot Magazine's Jazz Northwest Recording of the Year accolade. The release 3 and 1 achieved placement in the Gavin Jazz Top Ten while earning the same Earshot Jazz Northwest Recording of the Year honor in 2000. Amid the abundance of talented jazz musicians in the Pacific Northwest, this distinction highlights Peck's abilities significantly. Subsequently, he issued two additional albums under his leadership, all appearing on the Let's Play Stella label co-owned with his spouse Jane Peck.

Peck's pianistic approach incorporates elements from Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Wynton Kelly, fused into a distinctive keyboard technique evident on his Solo album. His capacity to improvise variations on themes while remaining connected to the interpreted material proves remarkably insightful.

Beyond performance and composition, Peck serves as Associate Professor of Music at Cornish College of the Arts, instructing in Jazz Ensemble, Composition, Repertoire, Improvisation, and Piano. Among his pupils gaining recognition are guitarist Brad Chepik, who performs alongside Dave Douglas, and saxophonist Brigan Kraus, who is generating attention within New York's Knitting Factor loft scene. In his available moments, Peck enjoys listening to Jarrett, the classical composer Alexander Scriaban, and Italian operas.