Peter Lemer

The sixteenth person in our series of introductions to performers taking part in International Poetry ReIncarnation at the Roundhouse in Camden on 30th May 2015 is the musician Peter Lemer.

Peter made his recording debut as a leader (Local Colour) in 1996, the band including Jon Hiseman, John Surman, George Khan and Tony Reeves. A year in New York followed, which included extensive jamming, gigging and study. Coaches included Jaki Byard, Paul Bley and Bass guru David Walters. He also studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music with Tommy Rajna and Sven Weber.

Since then has worked with his own Quintet/Trio/Duo ( with Billy Thompson), Spontaneous Music Ensemble, Annette Peacock, Harry Beckett, Gilgamesh, Baker Gurvitz Army, Seventh Wave, Harry Beckett’s Joy Unlimited, Pierre Moerlen’s Gong, Mike Oldfield, In Cahoots, Miller/Baker/Lemer and countless others. For many years he recorded and toured with Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia. He has just completed a new album with Pepi Lemer, back2front, which is now on sale.

At the Roundhouse, Peter will be performing as part of the William Blake Klezmatrix band, a poetry & music collaborative formed to perform William Blake’s most lyrical texts, & also excerpts from his longer works.

As well as versions of Blake lyrics, the band – which at the Roundhouse will feature Annie Whitehead on trombone and vocals, Peter Lemer on piano, & Michael Horovitz on anglo-saxophone & other voicings – also performs diverse jazz poems, klezmer & other folk music and song, plus jazz, blues, calypso, settings of the poetry of Ginsberg, the Bible, et al, plus original compositions & improvisations.

Get your tickets for the evening’s star-laden performance here: The International Poetry ReIncarnation