Peter Dasent is an incredibly versatile pianist, composer, and musical director best known for his long tenure as the resident keyboardist on ABC’s Play School, a role he has held for over two decades. While he is well known for his daily on-set improvisations for children, his impressive resume also includes leading his chamber-jazz ensemble The Umbrellas for over 30 years, as well as composing soundtracks for early Peter Jackson films like Meet The Feebles and Heavenly Creatures. We chat with Peter about that amazing history, his approach to playing and composing across so many different genres, and lots more.

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Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

The iconic, and Cookie Monster endorsed, Play School, turns 60

Peter’s musical upbringing

Forming SPATS alongside Fane Flaws

SPATS – New Wave Goodbye

Joining The Crocodiles alongside the brilliant Jenny Morris

The Crocodiles – Telephone Lover

The very interesting Kim Fowley

Peter’s admiration of Steve Nieve’s work

The Crocodiles – Tears

The underadmired (and according to Peter, Mushroom Records’ worst selling album ever): I Am Joe’s Music (Self-Titled)

The inimitable Lobby Loyde

Formation of The Umbrellas

The Umbrellas live

Some timely advice from Don Burrows

Moving into film composition

Peter’s work on Peter Jackson’s Meet The Feebles

The composition and recording process for Meet The Feebles

Working on Peter Jackson’s  Braindead / Dead Alive

The legendary E-mu Proteus 2

Working on Peter Jackon’s Heavenly Creatures

Working as the Pianist on Play School

Discussion on the level of improvisation required on set of Play School

Pivoting on the fly between musical genres on Play School

Working with Justine Clarke

Peter in action live with Justine Clarke

Peter’s solo work including Songs for Solo Piano

Peter in action in Studio 3 at Abbey Road

Sterling Sound in New York

Desert Island Discs: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles, Satie: Works for Piano – Aldo Ciccolini, Plays Duke Ellington – Thelonius Monk, The Fellini Album: The Film Music of Nino Rota: Nino Rota, Hot Rats – Frank Zappa.

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The post Peter Dasent, Pianist / Play School / The Umbrellas appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.