Saturday, January 7
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

The American Song Book gets updated and the banjo becomes outrageous when plunk meets funk! The roots of the banjo are in American popular and jazz music from the early 1900s, but unlike many banjoists, Peter Mezoian decided that those syncopated infectious rhythms and melodies could transfer to other genres and generations of music: where Cole Porter crosses Paul Simon and Broadway intersects with the Beatles, and where the Roaring 20s catch up with the psychedelic 60s.

This funny and engaging performer will keep you wondering what he will play next.  Peter has spent years taking the banjo across the world as a feature act on theater and nightclub stages in America, England, and Japan, music festivals and more than 50 different cruise ships.

Peter’s just your typical native Maine, Steve Martin-influenced, donut-eating, espresso-drinking, half-Armenian, half-Greek four string banjoist. All this and he’s only 5 feet 3 inches tall. You’ll be wondering just how outrageous one banjoist can be!  Free!

 More videos of Peter in action…

Peter Mezoian Promo from Michael Menes on Vimeo.

 

More About Peter

If you want to know more about Peter Mezoian, he has a fascinating professional life story outlined in an entertaining timeline on his website.  Here are some links to other interesting articles about Peter:

2010 Aspen Times interview with Peter

Review of Peter’s music from The Resonator

Write up of Peter’s performance by travel expert by Dr. Vincent DiNapoli