News & Updates
Projects
Peter Knight - composer/trumpeter/Film composer/curator
Perpetually curious, Peter Knight’s practice exists in the spaces between categories, between genres, and between cultures.
In recent years Peter has emerged as a significant international force in contemporary music, initiating commissions, collaborations, and performances with a diverse range of artists including recently, Anthony Braxton (USA), as a soloist with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Nicole Lizée (Canada), Amir ElSaffar (USA), Daniel Wilfred (Arnhem Land), Senyawa (Indonesia), Baliphonics (Sri Lanka), Hyelim Kim (Korea/UK), Paul Grabowsky (Australia), Aviva Endean, Tony Buck, and Alvin Lucier (USA). He has performed his music at some of the most significant festivals and venues in the world including: London Jazz Festival, Pierre Boulez Saal (Berlin), Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, JazzFest Berlin, Soundstreams (Toronto), PuSh Festival (Vancouver) Sydney Festival, WOMADelaide, Earshot (Seattle) and National Forum of Music (Wroclaw, Poland).
From 2013 - 2023 Peter was the Artistic Director and co-CEO of Australia’s leading contemporary music ensemble, the Australian Art Orchestra. Under his leadership the organisation thrived artistically winning multiple awards and accolades (including the 2022 AMC Art Music Luminary Award for Organisation), and touring to some of the most significant festivals and venues in the world.
His current touring projects include Hand to Earth which features Yolngu traditional songkeepers, Daniel and David Wilfred, and which was nominated for an ARIA Award in 2022.
Peter has released 18 albums of his music on various labels including in 2022 a solo album, Shadow Phase, on the iconic Room40 label (named in Headphone Commute Best of 2022). He composes for film and recently completed the score for soon to be released Australian feature, Kid Snow, in collaboration with Warren Ellis. He also composes for contemporary theatre, most notably with acclaimed performer/director, Tamara Saulwick (Chamber Made).
Peter has won numerous awards, nominations, and fellowships including the Albert H. Maggs Composition Prize (2017), several AMC Art Music Awards, Bell Jazz Awards, Green Room Theatre Awards, and an Australia Council Music Fellowship (2013). He holds a doctorate from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and was named its Alumnus of the Year in 2013.
“A sonic world of wonder, warmth, and possibility.” The Saturday Paper (review of Shadow Phase)
“Solos here were like songlines, not paving superhighways through a compositional infrastructure but leaving faint footprints in a soundscape that evolved as organically as an ecosystem.” Downbeat
“Hard to categorise… hauntingly memorable” The Wire (UK)
“Hand to Earth is a truly exquisite album” * * * * * Songlines Magazine (UK)
“If trumpet is an element then Knight is an alchemist.” New York City Jazz Record
Watch
A solo improvisation I recorded in my studio recently using the Revox reel-to-reel with my trumpet, along with some cymbals and found percussion. I'm also us...
The Mini Masterclass Series features musicians from our pool of amazing AAO collaborators and digs deep into specific musical and technical topics, providing...
Hand to Earth developed during an Australia Art Orchestra residency in the remote highlands of Tasmania. Yolgnu songman, Daniel Wilfred, and Korean vocalist,...
We had originally planned the Closed Beginnings premiere performance as part of our series at MPavillion in collaboration with Monash University Museum of Ar...
Australian Art Orchestra with Nicole Lizée under the direction of Peter Knight. Metropolis New Music Festival 2016
Performance of Peter Knight's composition, The Plains, inspired by Gerald Murnane. Performance by the Australian Art Orchestra with Julia Reidy at JazzFest B...
Mini doc about Crossed & Recrossed, out now on Hospital Hill
To mark the Australian Art Orchestra's 25th anniversary, we're presenting the Solo Series: a monthly video release that puts the spotlight on one of the twel...
Repurposing the omnipresent portable device, Alter is an audio-visual installation for 16 iPads and 16 people in a delicate meditation on invisible systems and interconnectedness. Created by Tamara Saulwick & Peter Knight, in collaboration with Martyn Coutts and Steve Berrick, Commissioned by Arts House and premiered at the 2016 Festival of Live Art.
Daughter's Fever - The Green Room
Music: Peter Knight. Video Scott Morrison From Daughter's Fever out on HellosQuare
Edited version of solo concert at Copenhagen Jazzhouse 6th of September, 2014
Releases
schedule
2023
January 27-29
Canberra, Australia, residency at Soundout Festival
March 29
Melbourne, Florence St Studios house concert featuring David Grubbs (reading) Peggy Lee (solo), Rohan Rebeiro/Peter Knight (duo). Email if you would like to attend.
April 1
Adelaide, Australia Nexus Arts with Gelareh Pour
April 7-9
Bermagui, NSW, Australia residency at Four Winds Festival with Hand to Earth, Wata (Paul Grabowsky) and Raki (world premiere)
April 16
Make It Up Club Melbourne with Rohan Rebeiro and Sia Ahmed
June 4
Castlemaine VIC Bridge Hotel with Hand to Earth 3pm
June 7
Melbourne, The Forum as part of Rising Festival with Hand to Earth
June 11
Sydney, Carriageworks as part of Vivid Soft Centre program with Hand to Earth
June 24
New York Jazztopad NY FourOneOne Williamsburg with Amir ElSaffar, Kamil Petrowicz, Tomas Fujiwara 8pm
June 26
Jazztopad New York Living Room Concerts in Harlem NY 1pm
Jazztopad NY Barbes with Manuchia Bikont, Kamil Petrowicz 8pm
July 7
Florence St Live and Up Close studio concert series feat Tony Buck, Magda Mayas, Dave Brown. PLus Callum G’Froerer solo. Bookings via email
August 2
Jazzlab Melbourne with TLDR (Peter Knight, Helen Svoboda, Quinn Knight, Theo Carbo)
August 5th
Bleach Festival Surfers Paradise with Vanessa Tomlinson’s ‘Imaginary Aviary’
August 9
Jazzlab Melbourne with TLDR (Peter Knight, Helen Svoboda, Quinn Knight, Theo Carbo) plus special guests Adam Halliwell bass guitar and Lucky Pereira drums/percussion
August 16
Jazzlab Melbourne with TLDR (Peter Knight, Helen Svoboda, Quinn Knight, Theo Carbo) plus special guest Sam Anning bass
September 20-23
Jeonju, Korea Jeonju International Sori Festival with Hand to Earth
25th September
Seoul duo with Aviva Endean at Dotolim