Peyton, Jeffrey
Biography
Born: September 27, 1962
Country: Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.A.
Studies: George Fox College (B.A.1984), Juilliard , School (M.M.1990)
Teachers: Roland Kohloff, Eldon Bailey, Cloyd Duff, Jonathan Haas
Website: http://www.jeffreypeytonmusic.com/
Hailed as a performer of “brilliant artistry and dazzling virtuosity,” Jeffrey Peyton possesses extensive experience and passion in his diverse roles as a percussionist, conductor, composer, and educator.
A graduate of the Juilliard School in New York City, Peyton was a full scholarship student of Roland Kohloff and Elden “Buster” Bailey of the New York Philharmonic. Additional studies with such masters as Saul Goodman, Cloyd Duff, Chris Lamb, Doug Howard, Mike Crusoe and Jonathan Haas contribute to Jeff’s passionate commitment to the highest standards in percussion performance and education (visit the teaching and information for students pages for more information on lessons and education opportunities.)
Mr. Peyton currently serves as principal timpanist of the Oregon Ballet Theatre orchestra and the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, percussionist with the Portland Opera, and a regular guest percussionist and timpanist with the Oregon Symphony. During the course of his nearly 30-year career, Mr. Peyton has held the positions of principal percussionist of the Eugene Symphony, Oregon Bach Festival and Peter Britt Festival orchestras, and principal timpanist of the Portland Opera, Cascade Festival, West Coast Chamber and Oregon Coast Festival orchestras. While in New York, Mr. Peyton was principal timpanist of the Juilliard Orchestra and section percussionist with the American Symphony and 92nd Street Y Chamber Orchestras. Additional appearances include guest timpanist with the San Diego Symphony and Eugene Opera Orchestras, and guest percussionist with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.
An active solo recitalist and chamber musician, Mr. Peyton has performed in Alice Tully, Merkin, and CAMI Halls in New York and throughout the United States. He has appeared with chamber groups as diverse as the Harry Partch Ensemble and Chamber Music Northwest, and as an advocate for new music for percussion has performed over 40 world premieres, many of which were written for him. From 1994-2000, Mr. Peyton served as Artistic Director of the Third Angle New Music Ensemble in Portland, one of the nation’s foremost contemporary chamber music ensembles. Under his leadership, Third Angle experienced explosive growth, receiving enthusiastic critical acclaim for its bold and innovative programming and its highly successful commercial recordings. Mr. Peyton was a member of the Third Angle Percussion Quartet, whose “Junkyard Concerts” remain a critical and artistic highlight in the ensemble’s history.
A published composer, Mr. Peyton’s concert works have been performed extensively throughout the United States, including premieres at the Percussion Arts Society International Convention (twice), and international premieres in Taiwan, Sweden, Denmark, the UK, China, Belgium, Germany, and Mexico, among others. His works have been featured on three commercial recordings on the Eroica and Equilibrium record labels. His concert works are published by Cascadia Publications, and educational titles are published by Alfred Publishing.
Mr. Peyton has appeared as conductor for numerous ensembles, most notably as Music Director of Third Angle New Music Ensemble and Regular Guest Conductor for the Oregon Ballet Orchestra, including performances with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra.
Mr Peyton’s performances as percussionist and conductor can be heard on thirteen commercial recordings for the New World, New Albion, Koch International, Gagliano, Hannsler, and Delos labels. Visit the discography page for more information and links to specific recordings.<re>http://www.jeffreypeytonmusic.com/</ref>
Works for Percussion
Danza de Samba - Percussion Quartet
Four on the Floor - Percussion Quartet
Primitive Echoes - Percussion Quartet
Rivermusic - Percussion Duo; Marimba Duo
The Final Precipice - Timpani; with Tape
The Furious Angels - Percussion Septet
The Musical Timpanist - Timpani
Theme and Variations (Peyton) - Marimba
Veils: Concerto for Four Percussionist and Orchestra - Percussion Quartet; Orchestra
References