"Compo has been included in the 1999 edition of The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz, Leonard Feather & Ira Gitlar authors with the assistance of Swing Journal, Tokyo. Oxford University Press."
When hearing jazz violinist Peter Compo, it is obvious why Jersey Jazz has called him "one of today's brightest, freshest musicians." The violin is a refreshing instraument enhanced by Compo, who has a "hot, vibrant, fired-up approach to his playing that comes out of the hard-driving school of violin playing owned and operated by Stuff Smith."
Compo has performed at Town Hall, Lincoln Center and the Eleventh Annual American Jazz Hall Induction Ceremony, as well as, major festivals and concert halls throughout Great Britain, Europe, and Scandinavia.
The solid foundation for swinging on the violin was built by Compo's prolific career as a bassist, keeping time for jazz greats Charlie Barnet, Gene Krupa, Claude Thornhill, Roy Eldridge, Tony Scott, Nat Pierce, Bob Wilbur, Stuff Smith, plus many more. On the bass he recorded with Herbie Fields, Cozy Cole, Marty Grosz, Dick Meldonian, and others.
As a violinist Compo has moved up front and is now calling the shots. He keeps things exciting with a versatile repertorie, good arrangements and non-predictable solo rotations. Compo also surrounds himself with equally superb musicians, including Howard Alden, Don Friedman, Leonard Gaskin, Gene Bertencini, John Bunch, Earl May, Vince Giordano and Eddy Davis.
Education: Violin studies with Charles cacioppo, Julliard graduate; Manhattan School of Music; National Orchestra Association; private studies with Homer Mensh, principal bassists of the New York Philharmonic; jazz studies with Slam Steward, Tony Aless, Bill Rubenstein, and Gene Roland.
Symphony Orchestras: CBS Studios, New York; New Haven, Connecticut Symphony; Longine Symphonette - Michel Piastro, conductor; Little Orchestra Society of New York -Robert Sherman, conductor; Little Orchestra Society of New York - Robert Sherman, conductor; National Orchestra Association - Leon Barzin, conductor.
Shows: Entire Broadway run of Irma La Douce; Off - Broadway productions of My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Brigadune, Hello Dolly, and Fiddler On The Roof.
Movies: Raging Bull, A Doctor's Story, Flamingo Kid, and Tootsie.
Big Bands: Charlie Barnet, Billy Buyyerfield, Claude Thornhill, Fred Waring, Boyd Rayburn, Larry Sonn, Elliot Lawrence, Dick Meldonian, Sonny Igoe, Vaughn Monroe, Johny Long, and the 1981 Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Clem DeRosa.
Worked With Or For: Mose Allison, Duke Jordan, Bobby Darin, Gene Krupa, Phil Woods, Cozy Cole, Howard Alden, Gene Quill, Nat Pierce, Mel Lewis, Billy Taylor, Harry Belafonte, Kenny Davern, Gene Roland, Paul Quinichette, Ray Nance, Stuff Smith, Ken Peplowski, Johnny Varro, Bruce Turner, Buster Bailey, Henry Red Allen, George Wettling, Willie The Lion Smith, Herbie Fileds, Joe Temperley, Hot Lips Page, Dill Jones, Humphrey Lyttelton, Jo Jones, Marty Grosz, Dick Wellstood, Bob Wilbur, Buddy Rich, Louis Stewart, Danny Moss, Leonard Gaskin, Joe Burton, Al Haig, Buddy Tate, Roy Williams, Bill Allred, Janusz Carmello, Roy Eldridge, Christian Plattner, Turk Murphy, Stan Greig, Bobby Orr, Conrad Janis, Lionel Hampton, Ronnie Rae Sr, Ed Polcer, Sol Yaged, Ken Kersey, Pee Wee Erwin, Zutty Singelton, Panama Francis, Big Chief Russell Moore, Marty Napoleon, Joe Puma, Bill Evans, Zoot Simms, Mat Mathews, Frank Rehak, Frankie Dunlop, Bill Rubenstein, Glen Zottola, Joe Muranyi, Eddie Barefield, Wayne Wright, Bobby Pratt, Giampaulo Biagi, Eddy Bert, Al Cohn, Freddie Green, Maurice Mark, Ronny Cole, Paul Motian, Sonny Russo, Chuck Wayne, Alan Dawson, Teddy Napoleon, Charlie Shavers, Eddie Shu, Herb Mann, Carmen Mastrin, Ray Mosca, Clarence Hutchenrider, Spanky Davis, Dan Barrett, Joe Roland, Michael Abene, Keith Ingham, Jackie Williams, Carmen Leggio, Al Grey, Pee Wee Russell, Ray Alexander, Elmer Shoebel, Tony Scott, Derik Smith, Ronnie Cuber, Max Kaminsky, Louis Bellson, Claude Williams, Woodie Allen, Kai Winding, Nick Stabulus, Don Lamond, Ed Soph, Warren Chiasson, Jeff Green, John Glasel, Aaron Sachs, Nick Travis, Ronnie Zito, Billy Byers, Harry Devito, Jimmy Crawford, Herb Flemming, Freddie Moore, Danny Barker, Art Trappier, John Mehegan, Sam Most, Bill Potts, Sal Salvador, Attila Zoller, Tony Martin, Keely Smith, Eddie Fisher, Maxine Sullivan, Graig Cohen, Murry Wall, James Chirello, Eddy Davis, Vince Giordano.
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