Photo by Roger Cody
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Peter Gerler has written about jazz since the early 1990s. He has been published in American Legacy, DownBeat, JazzTimes, Humanities, Syncopated Times, The Boston Globe,
New Orleans Gambit, Moultrie Observer, WBGO Upbeat, www.jazz.com, www.nejazz.com, and other venues. He has presented on early jazz at Satchmo Summerfest, River Road African American Museum, Classic Jazz at Lincoln Library, Cambridge Center for Adult Education, Newton Lifetime Learning, and numerous senior facilities in the Boston area. Peter lived in New Orleans from 1990-1995 and is working on a book about the jazz legend Joe "King" Oliver (Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans mentor). In his previous life, Peter earned his living writing advertising copy, corporate communications, and trade journals. As an organizational trainer, he taught writing in both the public and private sectors. He is a member of the Jazz Journalists Association and the National Writers Union. He has played guitar with several small swing groups around New England, most recently Stan McDonald’s Blue Horizon Jazz Band. |
Witnesses... |
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"I hired Peter Gerler to do a jazz presen-tation. We had a terrific turnout and the response was wonderful—the residents didn't want the evening to end. Many stayed to ask questions. Peter clearly knows & loves his subject matter, but more importantly, his enthusiasm was contagious. His selection of tunes
and photography were spot on. I would absolutely recommend him." Lisa B. Shapiro Former Community Relations Director Atria Maplewood Place |
"Peter takes you down memory lane...up River Road and back again on a refreshing journey exploring jazz history from the perspective of the people who lived, loved and danced to the music. I recommend this gentleman's retrospective on Louisiana's greatest contribution to American culture." Kathe Hambrick-Jackson Founder and Executive Director River Road African American Museum |
"Peter Gerler makes jazz come alive for his listeners. One can feel they are there in New Orleans or wherever the subject touches. Time shifts back to the era about which he speaks. This is a gift not many authors and speakers have, in my experience.” Eve Welts Classic Jazz at Lincoln Library |
"My wife and I have made ‘date nights’ out of several of Mr. Gerler’s lectures and one of his classes on swing. His knowledge and love of so many different streams of jazz are fascinating and great fun. He has played with, or interviewed or done the field research on so many musicians and their music that he deserves some credit for helping to bring this music to the next generation. His work on traditional jazz and millennial swing dance is a fascinating example of how twenty somethings are bringing dance back to jazz…..with great gusto!" Tom Stewart Risk Management Consultant Music Lover |