Peter Hand Big Band

A sophisticated large jazz ensemble, the Peter Hand Big Band features longtime New York guitarist Peter Hand and a bevy of top-notch New York jazz improvisers. Since debuting in the mid-2000s, the group have earned praise for their urbane and swinging sound as heard on albums like 2009's Wizard of Jazz: A Tribute to Harold Arlen and 2014's Out of Hand. Formed by Hand in 2005, the Peter Hand Big Band initially grew out of his earlier experience running the nonprofit big band and educational organization the Westchester Jazz Orchestra. Prior to that, the New York City native (and Berklee College of Music grad) had performed with a list of performers including singer Jon Lucien, guitarist Attila Zoller, saxophonist George Coleman, organist Mike LeDonne, and others. He was also a member of the BMI Advanced Jazz Composers Workshop, where he gained valuable compositional experience working with Manny Albam, Bob Brookmeyer, and Jim McNeely. He brought all of this experience to bear on his own big band, bringing together an array of longtime associates from the New York jazz scene. The group made their recorded debut in 2009 with The Wizard of Jazz: A Tribute to Harold Arlen, featuring veteran saxophonist Houston Person. Also showcased on the album were saxophonists Don Braden and Ralph Lalama; trumpeters Cecil Bridgewater, Valery Ponomarev, and Jim Rotondi; trombonist John Mosca; pianist Richard Wyands; bassist Harvie S; drummer Steve Johns; and others. The Peter Hand Big Band's sophomore album, Out of Hand, arrived in 2014 and found Hand exploring his originals alongside an equally dynamic ensemble. Again showcased were Person, Braden, Ponomarev, and more. In 2019, the guitarist returned with the group's third full-length, Hand Painted Dream, which featured guest spotlights from vocalist and saxophonist Camille Thurman and the Secret String Quartet.
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