The Peterson Family

Minnesotas’ First Family of Music, The Peterson Family, has been performing locally, nationally, and internationally for many years. The family consists of Matriarch, Jeanne Arland Peterson, her five children Linda, Billy, Ricky, Patty and Paul as well as members of the third generation including Jason and Isaac.

JEANNE ARLAND PETERSON, jazz pianist extraordinaire, is a living legend. She has won numerous awards, including the Arts Midwest Jazz Masters’ award in 1998. Jeanne’s husband, Willie, was also a fine pianist and organist but passed away in 1969 from cancer. He was the Minnesota Twins’ organist at the time. Jeanne then took over as the Twins’ organist for three years. She has watched her children continue in their parents’ footsteps, and their bios follow. Jeanne has recently been the featured pianist on Marion McPartland’s Piano Jazz show on Public Radio. She has four CDs to her credit.

LINDA PETERSON is a talented pianist, vocalist and songwriter, known internationally for her original jazz composition entitled, “Too Late To Leave Early” recorded in Copenhagen, Denmark. Linda has two additional CDs to her credit, “Live at Monmartre” and “Jazz After Hours” and performs with her group for jazz festivals, concerts and in clubs in America and abroad.

BILLY PETERSON is one of the premier bass players in the world, as well as being a successful producer and arranger, having worked with Ben Sidran, Eddie Harris, Leo Kottke, Bob Dylan and Steve Miller, to name a few. Billy has been the bassist for the Steve Miller band for 15 years and they are currently touring. He is also the musical director for a cooking show which is produced in the south of France, soon to be seen in the US.

RICKY PETERSON is one of the most sought after studio and session keyboard players and producers in America. While continuing as the musical director for saxophonist, David Sanborn, Ricky has a solo career as a vocalist/keyboardist, with four CDs to his credit. He coproduced “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” for Prince and continues to produce for many other artists. Ricky is currently on tour with John Mayer

PATTY PETERSON is a dynamic vocalist with seven Minnesota Music awards to her credit. She is an award winning jazz vocalist both live and in studio for national recording artists and commercials. Patty has three solo CDs to her credit, the most recent, an inspirational CD. She has performed and recorded with such musical luminaries as David Sanborn, Steve Miller, Donny Osmond and Ben Sidran. She continues to perform across the country in clubs and concerts as well as appearing for motivational speaking engagements.

PAUL PETERSON was discovered at age 17 by the legendary artist, Prince, and was featured in his award winning film Purple Rain. Paul is in demand as a studio musician for Johnny Lang, Oleta Adams, Anita Baker, Paula Abdul, to name a few, and is currently Donny Osmond’s musical director, as well as touring with Oleta Adams. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing bass, piano, guitar and drums.

JASON PETERSON DE LAIRE is the first performer of the "grandchildren" to join the professional ranks. He is a gifted pianist/writer/saxophonist/vocalist and has worked with the likes of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Prince, Donny Osmond, Richard Marx and Alexander O'Neal. Jason is equally comfortable performing a classic jazz standard or an R & B song.

ISAAC PETERSON JOHNSON is the second member of the third generation of Petersons to join the family band. He is a wonderful drummer and is now the family's official drummer. He plays all styles with great flair and is, indeed, an asset to the band. At the moment, he is touring with a very popular group called the "Ken Valdez" band.