Peter White

Peter White (born 20 September 1954) is a smooth jazz and jazz fusion guitarist. He also plays the accordion and the piano. He is known for his 20-year collaboration with Al Stewart. His brother, Danny White, was one of the original members who formed the UK-based band Matt Bianco.

Career

Born in Luton, England, White first gained fame with his distinctive guitar style as accompanist to Al Stewart. During a 20-year tenure with Stewart, he co-wrote many songs, including Stewart's 1978 top-ten hit "Time Passages". He also formed Shot In The Dark, a band which backed Stewart and released an eponymous album in 1981. In the late 1980s, White accompanied Basia on a series of acclaimed albums. In 1996, Basia was featured on White's album Caravan of Dreams, with vocals on the single "Just Another Day".

White began recording his own albums in 1990. His songs — "Midnight in Manhattan", recorded by Grover Washington, Jr. (1998), and "Bright" (2009) — have each reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Songs chart.

White performed regularly on many Windows albums, appearing as a more or less 'permanent guest'. In 2001 and 2002, he worked on Creed Bratton's first three solo albums. White produced, mixed and also played guitar on many of the tracks.

Awards

Peter White won the award for best Smooth Jazz Musician in the 2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. He was named the Best Guitarist at the National Smooth Jazz Awards for four consecutive years from 2000-2003.

In 2000, White won three Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards:

• CD of the Year for Perfect Moment
• Song of the Year for "Midnight in Manhattan" with Grover Washington, Jr.
• Best Guitarist