Degrees: MM, 2006, SUNY Coll Purchase; BS, 2004, Hofstra Univ

Bio:

Peter Coco has shared the stage with some of the finest musicians in the world. Peter has performed and recorded with Jane Monheit, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Matt Wilson, Dave Lalama, vocalist Janice Seagal, and guitarist extraordinaire Tommy Emmanuel, to name a few. Peter has also toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and performed at many notable venues including the Blue Note in New York City, the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy, Marian's Jazz Room in Bern, Switzerland, and the Smithsonian Jazz Café in Washington, DC.  Last summer Peter had the honor of playing bass on an album of originals and jazz standards arranged for big band by pianist Dave Lalama. The disc, "The Dave Lalama Big Band: The Hofstra Project," features some of New York's top jazz musicians, including members of the famed Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

Peter graduated in 2004 from Hofstra University with a Bachelor's degree in Jazz and Commercial Music. Peter was the winner of the Hofstra Concerto Competition in 2004 and performed the Dragonetti Concerto with the Hofstra Orachestra. After graduating, Peter began his Master's Degree in Jazz Studies at Purchase College. While there, he performed with the Purchase Jazz Endeavor, a prestigious group comprised of some of the best students and faculty at the college.

In 2006, Peter's love of music and education led him and his brother John to open the Music Academy of Garden City. Since that time, the Music Academy has quickly gained a reputation as one of Long Island's best teaching facilities, and boasts a staff of world class musicians and educators. At the Music Academy, Peter teaches double bass and electric bass, and prepares students for NYSSMA festivals.

In 2011, Peter began a Doctoral Degree in Classical Performance at Stony Brook University, where he is a member of the Stony Brook Symphonic Orchestra, the Stony Brook Baroque Players (performing on both modern and period instruments) and also performs in a number of chamber and solo recitals throughout the year.

Peter has contributed online lessons and articles to "Talkbass.com" and Mel Bay's "BassSessions.com" webzine covering a variety of topics including walking bass line constructon. Peter currently plays on a German bass made circa 1850 which formerly belonged to jazz bass luminary Milt Hinton and has been used on countless recordings and performances. He is also endorsed by Mirabella Guitars, and owns a custom made "Trap Door Electric Bass" which was constructed to his specifications.