Melbourne based Peter Knight is a multi-disciplinary musician.

He is a trumpet player, band leader, composer and sound artist. His work covers jazz, world music and experimental music in a range of ensemble settings.

He composes for theatre and creates sound installations. Peter is also the artistic direct0r of the Australian Art Orchestra, one of our contemporary music ensembles.

Peter Knight has gained an international following with his extensive touring and has won numerous awards and nominations. In just this past year or so he has won a Bell Award, was twice a finalist for the APRA/AMC Art Music Awards, was nominated for a Green Room Theatre Award and was also awarded an Australia Council Music Fellowship. That’s just some of Peter’s achievements. My focus in this week’s Jazz Made In Australia is on a new release of his band Way Out West.

Way Out West is a band with a unique and alluring sound combining Asian, African and Jazz influences. Originally featuring Vietnamese artist Dung Nuyen, this latest release highlights the Japanese stringed instrument the Koto, played by Sydney based Koto virtuoso, Satsuki Odamura.

Other players, along with Peter and Satsuki in this multi cultural ensemble are a long time Way Out West members Howard Cairns, Bass & Button Accordian; Ray Pereira Percussion; Rajiv Jayaweera, Drums and Lucas Michailidis, Guitars.

All compositions are by Peter Knight and his compositions are heard throughout this program.