Published: December 12, 2009 9:05 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight December 2009 Edition
Peter Douskalis
Jazz Music Artist/Band of The Week December 13, 2009 - December 19, 2009
Peter Douskalis Photo by Barbara Berry
Professional Jazz Guitarist Peter Douskalis has had a love affair with music every sine he can remember. The talented musician is lighting up the Jazz industry with his amazing Jazz guitar performances that are sure to delight music fans. In this special spotlight, our Webzine gets to know the man behind the guitar in this ultra cool feature.
Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?
Peter: Music has always been a part of my life. My father is also a guitar player so when I will young I used to play his guitar all the time. He also had a band with a bunch of his coworkers and I used to watch them play and pretend like I was playing guitar too. Growing up I was always into many different styles of music. I have always loved to explore different genres. When I was in elementary school I was really into alternative rock. Around the time of high school though I was discovering more complicated music and found interest in classical and jazz.
Isaac: What drew you to pick up an instrument in the first place?
Peter: Really it was my father. He played the guitar a lot when I was little and it fascinated me.
Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?
Peter: It was exactly the 10th grade of high school. That year I knew for sure I wanted to be a professional guitarist. I was still exploring different styles in my playing so it wasn't later into high school that I knew I wanted to be a professional jazz guitar player for sure.
Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?
Peter: I would love to work with Christina Aguilera. A lot of her songs have such smooth grooves that I wouldn't mind at all playing guitar for.
Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?
Peter: Wes Montgomery is my absolute most favorite guitar player. In terms on non-guitar players, I love Lee Morgan and Clifford Brown. Their tunes and styles of expressing themselves with their instruments really hit me on an emotional level.
Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?
Peter: Ultimately, I want to make a living. I am a professional musician, a profession guitar player. It is important to me that I success on a performing, recording, teaching, whatever it takes to be a professional musician, level.
Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?
Peter: Monetary issues are always present obstacles. It takes a lot to put out a CD of professional quality and it takes a lot to promote that CD. The only thing I can hope for is that people will like what they hear and will want to buy it.
Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?
Peter: I would absolutely recommend this field. The important thing is that a person does what that person likes to do, because if you don't do what you like to do you will be miserable. Not only that, difficulties arise and exist in every field so no matter what you do; you will have to work hard to succeed.
Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.
Peter Douskalis
Photo by Barbara Berry
Peter: Be nice. People like to work with people that bring a good energy to the table. This is not the type of business that you want to burn bridges in.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?
Peter: Well I just released a new CD on a Northern Virginia based label called Shenandoah Records. The CD is called "The Dance of the Sea". It is completely a solo jazz guitar CD. I do arrangements of swing, bossa nova, ballad, and bebop. I even do the tune "Come Together" by the Beatles with a funk feel.
Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?
Peter: I have so many favorite songs. Currently, I can't stop listening to Corn Bread by Lee Morgan, I love that tune.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Peter: I would like to first and for most thank my parents for always supporting me. My guitar teacher and producer Michael Fath, graphic designer Stilson Greene, photographer Barbara Berry, Dave Cowles and Chris Walters at GHS Strings and Rocktron, Chris Neubauer, Jen Katsikis at Oasis, my brother and sister, Maria Psilis for everything she has done for me, and Stefanie Sintakis for giving me inspiration.
Isaac: Any last words?
Peter: I would especially like to thank you Mr. Davis Jr. for interviewing me and helping the exposure of my new CD and me.
