Peter John O'Mara (born 9 December 1957) is an Australian-born
jazz guitarist
Jazz guitarists are guitarists who play jazz using an approach to chords, melodies, and improvised solo lines that is called jazz guitar playing. The guitar has fulfilled the roles of accompanist (rhythm guitar) and soloist in small and large ens ...
, composer, arranger, teacher and author. He has been based in
Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
since late 1981.
Biography
O'Mara is a self-taught musician and began his professional career in Sydney in 1976. He had private lessons with
George Golla at the Academy of Guitar in Sydney as well as attending a number of jazz clinics presented by
Jamey Aebersold including musicians like
Dave Liebman
David Liebman (born September 4, 1946) is an American saxophonist, flautist and jazz educator. He is known for his innovative lines and use of atonality. He was a frequent collaborator with pianist Richie Beirach.
In June 2010, he received a ...
,
Randy Brecker
Randal Edward Brecker (born November 27, 1945) is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer. His versatility has made him a popular studio musician who has recorded with acts in jazz, rock music, rock, and R&B.
Early life
Brecker was ...
,
John Scofield
John Scofield (born December 26, 1951) is an American guitarist and composer. His music over a long career has blended jazz, jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul and rock. He first came to mainstream attention as part of the band of Miles Davis; he ...
and
Hal Galper
Harold Galper (born April 18, 1938) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader, educator, and writer.
Biography
He was born in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Galper studied classical piano as a boy, but switched to jazz wh ...
. He was a regular at jam sessions where he met musicians like Steve Murphy,
Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Bartolomei, Willy Qua,
Dale Barlow, Miroslav Bukowsky and
Jackie Orszaczky. Steve Murphy and Jackie Orszaczky in particular gave Peter a lot of support, giving him free lessons, musical guidance and gigs. Jackie even produced Peter's first recording "Peter O'Mara" which was eventually released on the independent label Batt Jazz in 1980, receiving widespread critical acclaim. After submitting this recording for a grant application he was awarded the prestigious "
Don Banks Memorial Fellowship" for overseas study. At 21 Peter found himself performing regularly with seasoned jazz musicians like
Errol Buddle, Barry Duggan and Stewie Speer as well as the big band at South Juniors Football Club backing artists like
Patti Page
Clara Ann Fowler (November 8, 1927 – January 1, 2013), better known by her stage name Patti Page, was an American singer. Primarily known for Pop music, pop and Country music, country music, she was the top-charting female vocalist and b ...
and
Al Martino
Jasper Cini (October 7, 1927 – October 13, 2009), known professionally as Al Martino, was an American traditional pop and standards singer. He had his greatest success as a singer between the early 1950s and mid-1970s, being described as "one o ...
. Peter spent three months in New York in summer 1981 going to concerts, jam sessions as well as having lessons from musicians like Dave Liebman, John Scofield,
Jimmy Raney
James Elbert Raney (August 20, 1927 – May 10, 1995) was an American jazz guitarist, born in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, known for his work from 1951 to 1952 and then from 1953 to 1954 with the Red Norvo trio (replacing Tal Farlow) a ...
and
Attila Zoller
Attila Cornelius Zoller (June 13, 1927 – January 25, 1998) was a Hungarian jazz guitarist. After World War II, he escaped the Soviet takeover of Hungary by fleeing through the mountains on foot into Austria. In 1959, he moved to the United Sta ...
. Attila was so excited about Peter's musicality that he recommended him for a position teaching jazz guitar at the University of Memphis, Tennessee. Visa complications prevented him from taking up this opportunity.
He was a prizewinner for Jazz Composition 1980 & 1982, awarded by the NSW Jazz Action Society.
O'Mara moved to
Munich
Munich is the capital and most populous city of Bavaria, Germany. As of 30 November 2024, its population was 1,604,384, making it the third-largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. Munich is the largest city in Germany that is no ...
,
Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
in late 1981 and quickly established himself as one of the most versatile guitarists and composers in Europe. In 1982 he invited Australian saxophonist
Dale Barlow to join him for a four-week tour of Germany and Austria. Peter had been able to secure Wayne Darling on bass and
Bill Elgart on drums. The success of this project lead to the creation of a trio "Sundial" which performed regularly until 1990, also including tours with
Kenny Wheeler
Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, Order of Canada, OC (14 January 1930 – 18 September 2014) was a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. from the 1950s onwards.
Most of his performances were rooted in jazz, but he w ...
as special guest. In 1985 Peter was invited by jazz bassist Detlev Beier to join the faculty of the Kontaktstudium at the
Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg
The Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg is one of the larger College or university school of music, universities of music in Germany.
It was founded in 1950 as ''Staatliche Hochschule für Musik'' (Public college of music) on the base of t ...
as well as jazz workshops in Ibbenbüren and Bielefeld. It was here that he met trumpeter
Uli Beckerhoff who soon involved Peter in various projects including the International Skoda All Star Band as well as an annual workshop in Trier, featuring musicians like
Norma Winstone
Norma Ann Winstone MBE (born 23 September 1941) is an English jazz singer and lyricist. With a career spanning more than 50 years, she is best known for her contributions to improvised vocal music. Musicians with whom she has worked include ...
,
Maria Pia De Vito,
John Taylor, John Marshall, Matthias Nadolny and Bruno Castellucci. Another important contact was Austrian bassist
Adelhard Roidinger with whom Peter performed in a variety of settings from duo to quintet. In late 1989 Adelhard asked Peter to join the faculty at the Bruckner University in Linz, Austria. In 1992 another teaching position presented itself, this time at the Richard Strauss Conservatorium in Munich, later becoming part of the Hochschule Für Musik und Theater. Peter holds tenured professorships at both of these institutions. In 1990 a chance meeting with saxophonist and composer
Klaus Doldinger
Klaus Doldinger (; born 12 May 1936) is a German saxophonist known for his work in jazz and as a film music composer. He was the recipient of the 1997's Bavarian Film Awards. He is also a frequent collaborator of German filmmaker Wolfgang Pet ...
lead to him being invited to join the legendary Jazz-Rock group
Passport
A passport is an official travel document issued by a government that certifies a person's identity and nationality for international travel. A passport allows its bearer to enter and temporarily reside in a foreign country, access local aid ...
where he performed for over 25 years, touring Europe a number of times as well as South Africa, Brazil, Morocco and New Zealand. As of late 2019 he is again performing occasionally with the group. Another opportunity came in 1999 when he was asked to join the legendary Jazz-Rock group "United Jazz and Rock Ensemble" where he also contributed two compositions to the group's cd "X".
On 9th December 2022, his 65th birthday, Peter presented a concert of his compositions arranged for big band at the
Jazzclub Unterfahrt
Jazzclub Unterfahrt is a jazz club at Einsteinstraße 42 in Munich, Germany, described by Lonely Planet as "perhaps the best-known place in town, with live music". The club has over 1,200 members, though only has a capacity of about 180 people. T ...
which he had composed and arranged during the Covid lockdown. The success of this project led to a number of similar concerts in other cities as well as a workshop at Sydney Conservatorium. In the years since Peter has toured Australia and New Zealand performing with local musicians like
Mike Nock
Michael Anthony Nock (born 27 September 1940) is a New Zealand jazz pianist, who lives and works in Australia.
Biography
Nock was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, but spent his childhood in Ngāruawāhia. Nock began studying piano at 11. H ...
,
Paul Williamson,
Miroslav Bukovsky,
Nick Haywood, Brett Hirst,
Jonathan Zwartz, Hamish Stuart and Andrew Gander. In April 2025 Peter was invited by
ABC Jazz to be Artist In Residence where he recorded some original compositions as well as presenting songlists of recordings that had inspired him as a musician.
His teaching activities include, among many workshops throughout Europe, a professorship for Jazz guitar at the
Anton Bruckner Private University for Music, Drama, and Dance Austria, as well as the
University of Music and Performing Arts Munich. He is also author of four highly acclaimed books published by internationally renowned Jazz publishers Advance Music/Schott.
In 2012 Peter issued a jazz album, ''My Time'' on his label Marangani Records. Here's what critic Brent Black had to say about it:
A few days ago guitarist Peter O'Mara contacted my office to inquire about the possibility of reviewing his stellar new release My Time and in doing so offers up one of the very finest releases for 2012. This Australian six string wonder has been living in Munich since 1982. Having numerous friends living in Munich and Cologne Germany, I am well aware of the vibrant jazz scene which may rank a close second to New York when considering the depth and virtuoso skill the area artists are able to bring to the studio or concert hall. The artistic community in Germany is however slightly more artist friendly but that is a topic for another time.
Six of the ten tracks are O'Mara originals with some slightly eclectic standards tossed into the mix to keep things fresh and moving. The lyrical sense of purpose is perfectly captured with the opening tune "It Never Entered My Mind." The Rodgers and Hart classic is slightly reharmed into a free flowing ballad with Tim Collins solo adding a harmonic flavour that is rich in texture and colour while blending perfectly with this stellar 4tet. The subtle nuances from the rhythm section rounded out by contrabass player and Matthias Gmelin are done with the type of finesse and elegance necessary to keep the integrity of this beautiful tune. "Round Midnight" can be a musical trip wire for some artists if they are unable to channel the raw emotion or connectivity necessary to tug at the heartstrings of a listener. O'Mara nails this tune as though he has played it from day one of his career. Clean single note lines with the lyrical bass of Sieverts and deceptively subtle brush work of Gmelin make this tune far more than the average cover but rather an emotional trip back to the future for the jazz aficionado that lives for tradition. O'Mara's riff on Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" has an intriguing buoyant quality despite being a tune done mid tempo. The ability to shift meter as well as dynamics on the fly is an immediate head turner. O'Mara has the ability to work without a harmonic net and more than ample chops to take this tune back up a notch when necessary. Drummer Gmelin along with the entire rhythm section does not own the pocket here, they are the pocket with a deceptively subtle swing bordering on infectious. One of O'Mara's two best originals are saved for last in "Last Chance" which has the slight musical frame of reference of early Pat Metheny meets John Abercrombie but the key to success is that O'Mara establishes his own voice. Tim Collins drops in with a sonic exploratory of a solo as the ensemble begins pushing the musical envelope with the proficiency of a working band that has been together twenty years. The other original saved to close out this remarkable release is "Movin On" which allows the music if not the release itself to come full circle. While O'Mara is a formidable composer, were it not for a solid working knowledge of the material here one could easily mistake "Movin On" as a standard in waiting and something tells me it could very well be.
I have reviewed over a dozen guitarists thus far with Peter O'Mara rising head and shoulders above the pack. A dynamic 4tet with exquisite song selection and the virtuoso talent to move effortlessly throughout each tune, the aptly titled "My Time" is merely an introduction of a stellar talent whose musical stock should be an arrow pointing straight up. Easily a five star release and one of the best for 2012!
Musicians that O'Mara worked with
He has worked and recorded with many musicians on the international Jazz scene including:
Kenny Wheeler
Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, Order of Canada, OC (14 January 1930 – 18 September 2014) was a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. from the 1950s onwards.
Most of his performances were rooted in jazz, but he w ...
,
Joe Lovano
Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born December 29, 1952)"Joe Lovano." ''Contemporary Musicians''. Vol. 13. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 1994. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, May 5, 2017. is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist. T ...
,
Dave Holland Dave Holland or David Holland may refer to:
*Dave Holland (bassist)
David Holland (born 1 October 1946) is an English double bassist, bass guitarist, cellist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has ...
,
Jon Christensen, Roberto Di Gioia,
Adam Nussbaum
Adam Nussbaum (born November 29, 1955) is an American jazz drummer.
Early life
Nussbaum was born in New York City on November 29, 1955. He grew up in Norwalk (Connecticut), Norwalk, Connecticut, and first played the drums at the age of four. Aft ...
,
Bob Mintzer
Robert Alan Mintzer (born January 27, 1953) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band leader.
Early life
Mintzer was born and raised in a Jewish family in New Rochelle, New York, on January 27, 1953. He attended the Inte ...
,
Russell Ferrante,
Anthony Jackson,
Randy Brecker
Randal Edward Brecker (born November 27, 1945) is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer. His versatility has made him a popular studio musician who has recorded with acts in jazz, rock music, rock, and R&B.
Early life
Brecker was ...
,
Terri Lyne Carrington
Terri Lyne Carrington (born August 4, 1965) is an American jazz drummer, composer, producer, and educator. She has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Joe Sample, Al Jarreau, Yellowjackets (band), ...
,
Pee Wee Ellis,
Fred Wesley,
Joe Nay,
Maria Joao, John Marshall,
Patrick Scales,
John Taylor,
Randy Brecker
Randal Edward Brecker (born November 27, 1945) is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer. His versatility has made him a popular studio musician who has recorded with acts in jazz, rock music, rock, and R&B.
Early life
Brecker was ...
,
Charlie Mariano
Carmine Ugo Mariano (November 12, 1923 – June 16, 2009) was an American jazz saxophone, saxophonist who focused on the alto saxophone, alto and soprano saxophone. He occasionally performed and recorded on flute and nadaswaram as well.
Biogra ...
,
Benny Bailey
Ernest Harold "Benny" Bailey (August 13, 1925 – April 14, 2005) was an American jazz trumpeter.
Biography
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Bailey briefly studied flute and piano before turning to trumpet. He attended the Cleveland Conserva ...
,
Robben Ford
Robben Lee Ford (born December 16, 1951) is an American blues, jazz, and rock music, rock guitarist. He was a member of the L.A. Express and Yellowjackets (band), Yellowjackets and has collaborated with Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, George Harriso ...
,
Mike Nock
Michael Anthony Nock (born 27 September 1940) is a New Zealand jazz pianist, who lives and works in Australia.
Biography
Nock was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, but spent his childhood in Ngāruawāhia. Nock began studying piano at 11. H ...
,
Albert Mangelsdorff
Albert Mangelsdorff (September 5, 1928 – July 25, 2005) was a German jazz trombonist. Working mainly in free jazz, he was an innovator in multiphonics.
Early life
Mangelsdorff was born in Frankfurt on September 5, 1928, as the son of the book ...
,
Ack van Rooyen,
Johnny Griffin
John Arnold Griffin III (April 24, 1928 – July 25, 2008) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Nicknamed "the Little Giant" for his short stature and forceful playing, Griffin's career began in the mid-1940s and continued until the month of ...
, Willy Qua,
Tony Lakatos
Antal "Tony" Lakatos (born 13 November 1958 in Budapest) is a Hungarian Jazz saxophonist (tenor, soprano saxophone). He lives in Frankfurt, Frankfurt (Germany).
Lakatos attended the Béla Bartók Conservatory in Budapest from 1975 to 1980, then m ...
, Tim Collins.
Books
* ''A Rhythmic Concept for Funk/Fusion Guitar'' (Advance Music)
* ''A Modal Concept for Jazz Guitar'' (Advance Music)
* ''A Chordal Concept for Jazz Guitar'' (Advance Music) (1996)
* ''A Rhythmic Concept For Jazz Guitar'' (Advance Music) (2004)
[ Note: Booklet includes 2× CDs containing play along / MIDI files and listening versions. Text in English and German.]
Discography
;Selected discography
* ''Peter O'Mara'' (1980) Battjazz
(BAT 2074)
* ''It Is What It Is'' Bandcamp 2024
* ''Teletime'' Unit Records 2015
* ''My Time'' (2012) Marangani Records
* ''Acentric'' featuring
Michael Hornek,
Patrick Scales &
Christian Lettner Marangani 2009
* ''YuMag'' featuring
Michael Hornek,
Patrick Scales &
Christian Lettner Marangani 2008
* ''Mirage'' featuring
Adam Nussbaum
Adam Nussbaum (born November 29, 1955) is an American jazz drummer.
Early life
Nussbaum was born in New York City on November 29, 1955. He grew up in Norwalk (Connecticut), Norwalk, Connecticut, and first played the drums at the age of four. Aft ...
Pirouet 2003
* ''With-Within-Without'' Acoustic Music 2001
* ''Back Seat Driver'' featuring
Johannes Enders Enja 1999
* ''Too Early For This World'' GLM Edition Collage 1998
* ''Heritage'' featuring Guido May & Biboul Darouiche SBF 1997
* ''A-Strain'' featuring
Adrian Mears,
Patrick Scales &
Falk Willis SBF 1996
* ''Symmetry'' featuring Bob Mintzer,
Marc Johnson &
Falk Willis GLM Edition Collage 1995
* ''Travellers'' featuring
Tony Lakatos
Antal "Tony" Lakatos (born 13 November 1958 in Budapest) is a Hungarian Jazz saxophonist (tenor, soprano saxophone). He lives in Frankfurt, Frankfurt (Germany).
Lakatos attended the Béla Bartók Conservatory in Budapest from 1975 to 1980, then m ...
,
Roberto di Gioia,
Anthony Jackson,
Ernst Stroeer &
Wolfgang Haffner SBF 1994
* ''Stairway'' featuring
Tony Lakatos
Antal "Tony" Lakatos (born 13 November 1958 in Budapest) is a Hungarian Jazz saxophonist (tenor, soprano saxophone). He lives in Frankfurt, Frankfurt (Germany).
Lakatos attended the Béla Bartók Conservatory in Budapest from 1975 to 1980, then m ...
,
Russell Ferrante,
Anthony Jackson,
Tom Brechtlein &
Alex Acuña
Alejandro Neciosup Acuña (born December 12, 1944), known professionally as Alex Acuña, is a Peruvian–American jazz drummer and percussionist. He has also worked as an educator at University of California, Los Angeles, and Berklee College of ...
Enja 1993
* ''Kuranda'' featuring
Henning Sieverts,
Tony Lush &
Mike Nock
Michael Anthony Nock (born 27 September 1940) is a New Zealand jazz pianist, who lives and works in Australia.
Biography
Nock was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, but spent his childhood in Ngāruawāhia. Nock began studying piano at 11. H ...
ITM Pacific 1991
* ''Avenue U'' featuring
Joe Lovano
Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born December 29, 1952)"Joe Lovano." ''Contemporary Musicians''. Vol. 13. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 1994. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, May 5, 2017. is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist. T ...
,
Roberto Di Gioia,
Dave Holland Dave Holland or David Holland may refer to:
*Dave Holland (bassist)
David Holland (born 1 October 1946) is an English double bassist, bass guitarist, cellist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has ...
&
Adam Nussbaum
Adam Nussbaum (born November 29, 1955) is an American jazz drummer.
Early life
Nussbaum was born in New York City on November 29, 1955. He grew up in Norwalk (Connecticut), Norwalk, Connecticut, and first played the drums at the age of four. Aft ...
Enja 1990
* ''Wheeler O'Mara Darling Elgart'' Koala Records 1991
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Omara, Peter
1957 births
Living people
United Jazz + Rock Ensemble members
Sydney Conservatorium of Music alumni
Australian jazz guitarists
Passport (band) members
Enja Records artists
Pirouet Records artists
Academic staff of Anton Bruckner Private University